Jimmy Connors sends warning to Iga Swiatek about avoiding one thing if she wants to get her form back ahead of Wimbledon
Jimmy Connors outlined a path back to World No. 1 for Iga Swiatek after her year-long title drought. The former American tennis star also warned the Pole not to do one thing if she wants to regain her form as Wimbledon approaches.
On the Advantage Connors podcast, Jimmy and his son, Brett, often discuss the happenings of the tennis world. In a recent episode, the former World No. 1 was asked by Brett about Swiatek and her form. The Pole has not reached a final since winning the 2024 French Open and was ousted in the semifinal of the claycourt Slam this year.
"Well, we’re gonna see what kind of mettle she has now. When you are on top, and when you are rolling and things are coming easy to you, things kind of fall in line. When you are struggling, you haven’t made a final for a year, you gotta figure out, 'What do I need to do to be Coco? What do I need to do to be Sabalenka? What do I need to do to be Keys?'” Connors said (from 14:00).
Jimmy Connors believes Iga Swiatek needs to reflect on what it will take to regain her top form, especially after going a year without a title. He noted that when results dip, self-doubt can creep in, and it's sometimes necessary to revisit the basics.
Emphasizing focus, he warned the current World No. 7 about one thing.
"She needs to not listen to anybody now. The outside criticism, the outside voices who think they know. She is got to stay within herself and her team and work this out," Connors added (from 16:20)
The 72-year-old reflected that every top player eventually faces a dip in form, where doubt sets in and results fade. He stressed that once someone has reached World No. 1, the desire to return never fades. In his view, Swiatek still has the mindset and ability to fight her way back to the top and reclaim that satisfaction.
A look into Iga Swiatek's record on grass ahead of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships
Iga Swiatek has carved her legacy on clay and hard courts, winning a combined 22 titles and dominating the WTA with win rates of 87% on clay and 79% on hard surfaces.
However, grass remains the one surface where the Polish star is yet to make her mark. With a 15-7 career win-loss record on grass and no titles, Swiatek’s transition to the surface has been her biggest challenge.
Wimbledon has consistently reflected that struggle. Since making her debut at SW19 in 2019, Swiatek has never progressed past the quarterfinal stage. Her best run came in 2023 when she reached the last eight. Last year, she was knocked out in the third round.
However, Wimbledon in recent years has also been defined by unpredictability in the women’s draw. Surprise winners like unseeded Marketa Vondrousova in 2023 and 31st seed Barbora Krejcikova last year prove that top seeds are not invincible on grass.
With no clear favorite heading into the 2025 edition, it is to be seen if Iga Swiatek can finally adapt and add a Wimbledon title to her resume.