‘Cried and Run Away From the Court’- Iga Swiatek Shares Touching Message While Gearing Up for Inspiring Initiative on World Mental Health Day

Iga Swiatek is not just a powerhouse on the tennis court—she’s also a champion for causes that matter off of it. Known for her acts of kindness and compassion, Swiatek has continually used her platform to inspire positive change. And on World Mental Health Day, the tennis star did it again, sharing a heartfelt and important message that resonated with many.
The Polish tennis sensation has never shied away from expressing her sentiments about mental health and has been a vocal advocate. In a video that surfaced on the internet on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, the star player once again motivated people and highlighted the importance of a stress-free life. She also took examples from her own life to depict how she overcame situations that affected her mental health.
Speaking in the video, Swiatek said, “As you probably know today we celebrate World Mental Health Day. This is my tradition every year that I celebrate it too and support Charity organizations.” The Pole further revealed her initiative for the year and said that she would yet again be partnering with UNICEF for the occasion and expressed her pride. “This year’s main theme of the day is Mental health at work which is especially close to me. This is an interesting subject because we are raised in a world where the best possible performance and outcome is often our driving force,” Swiatek said further. The World No. 1 player also highlighted the latest scenarios of society and shared how they affect the mental health of an individual.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
“We hear that achieving things and getting best results is the most important. Most of us work in an environment that is stressful in some ways. It’s crucial to manage it and learn what is best for us,” the star player said. She highlighted that while it is crucial to have a work life, it is equally important to balance it and give adequate time to family and friends. Explaining further, Iga Swiatek gave examples from her own life and said that she herself has faced several adversities on the court but overcame them with grace.
Speaking further, Swiatek said, “Sometimes I cried and run away from the court for a while and wasn’t able to finish practice. After some years and getting more experience I learned tools to handle stress.” Interestingly, this is not the first time when Swiatek has done something out of the box to support the cause.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Last year, the World No. 1 donated $70,000 to UNICEF Poland for “help in the field of mental health in Poland and all over the world.” She also shared a message and encouraged people to look around and help people who are suffering from problems related to mental health and motivated them to come forward and donate to UNICEF. Meanwhile, Swiatek herself has become a victim of distressing situations during her professional duties.
When Iga Swiatek revealed feeling unsafe amidst hatred on Social media
Every occupation has its own pros and cons and tennis is no different. Behind the luxurious life of the players that people see on their television screens, there is immense criticism, hate, and lack of empathy that players encounter, which often takes a toll on them emotionally. Iga Swiatek has been vocal about this and has highlighted the issues she has faced.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Speaking at a press conference during the US Open this year, Swiatek revealed the online abuses she and her colleagues face. “I’m only kind of seeing the messages from my close ones, the ones that I already accepted, but for sure there is a lot of hate,” she said, suggesting her social media feeds are restricted to messages from approved followers.
“It would be nice if we can try to educate people and also maybe in the future have some solutions as, you know, using Al to make it safer for us. Because I feel like we can’t be on the internet and feel like kind of safe anymore,” the star player added. For now, it would be interesting to see if Swiatek announces any additional surprises like last year to further support the cause.