Coco Gauff doesn’t disagree with the notion that Iga Swiatek’s confidence levels dropped and also highlighted that she believes the 23-year-old that she didn’t knowingly or intentionally take a banned substance.
After the 2024 season ended, it was revealed that the Pole – who failed to make it past the group stage at the WTA Finals – played in Riyadh her first tournament after her provisional doping ban was lifted.
In the offseason, Swiatek’s symbolic one-month doping ban expired and she kicked off her 2025 season at the United Cup with victories over Malene Helgo, Karolina Muchova, Katie Boulter and Elena Rybakina.
But then Gauff – who was once regularly losing to the five-time Grand Slam champion – beat the world No. 2 6-4 6-4 in the United Cup semifinal battle.
The American also overcame the Polish star in Riyadh and now has three wins and 11 losses after winning their last two meetings.
Gauff: I wouldn’t say Swiatek’s confidence dropped
“No. I mean, I wouldn’t say she’s dropped her confidence. For me, I don’t know like her personally well, but just from the interactions that we’ve had, I definitely don’t think anything she did was intentional,” the 2023 US Open champion said when asked if the Pole’s confidence dropped.
“I feel like I don’t think she was maybe — I mean, like I found out with the rest of the world. I don’t think she is not confident in herself.
“She’s playing great tennis. The match we played, I just happened to be a little better that day, maybe won a few points. It could have easily went the other way.”
In the same interview, Gauff underlined that she thinks Swiatek will be “fine” and also highlighted that she is still ranked inside the top-2 in the world.
Meanwhile, the No. 3 seed American and the second-seeded Pole didn’t land in the same part of the Australian Open draw and they could only meet in the final.
Tennis World USA