Overview

• Iga Swiatek suffered a decisive 6-1, 6-1 loss to Coco Gauff in the Madrid Open semifinal, marking her worst clay-court defeat since 2019.
• Swiatek was visibly emotional during the match, covering her tears with a towel during a changeover and later acknowledging her struggles on court.
• It was revealed that Swiatek attended her grandfather's funeral in Poland shortly before the tournament, which added to her emotional burden.
• Swiatek announced plans to take a short rest and is reportedly considering skipping the grass-court season after Roland Garros to recover mentally and physically.
• Peers like Casper Ruud have publicly supported Swiatek, while media and analysts examine the impact of her personal and professional challenges.