Iga Swiatek on the Australian Open, Growing Up an Extreme Introvert, and Netflix’s New Tennis Docuseries

Three times a Grand Slam champion, Iga Swiatek became the world’s number-one ranked woman tennis player with the sudden retirement of Australian Ashleigh Barty last April. Suddenly, the already shy Swiatek, 21, found herself recognized on the street in her native Poland and chased by paparazzi. To say it was a lot to handle is, of course, an understatement, but then again: True champions always seem to find a way. She’s written a moving and intensely personal essay about growing up, rising through the ranks, coming out on top, and finding the mental strength to stay sane while staying there. We asked her about that; about Netflix’s new inside-the-tour documentary series, Break Point, which premieres today; and about Naomi Osaka’s recent big news. 

Vogue: You just published a really personal essay in which you open up about, among other things, being an introvert, particularly when you were a bit younger in Poland. I think a lot of people would describe themselves as introverts, but you had, or have, a pretty extreme version. Could you describe this a bit—how did being a big introvert affect your daily life and your tennis?

Iga Swiatek: I think because of the work I’ve done, on my own and with my psychologist and just through all of these new life experiences—especially on tour with tennis—my experience as an introvert [now] is a whole different story. On tour, it’s necessary to meet people and make connections, but when I was a teenager I found it difficult to approach people, and really even to just make small talk with strangers—it felt like it was impossible for me to find topics to talk about. It was sometimes annoying, sometimes hard, but I worked through it, so I know it’s possible to open up and grow in that way. I’m constantly learning new ways to feel comfortable in social situations, and tennis is certainly pushing my boundaries on that front—in a good way.

You also write about an extreme kind of perfectionism you held yourself to—when you cleaned the house, say, you didn’t stop until everything was absolutely perfect. It sounds like a struggle—but is this also the same instinct that would have you hit a million kick serves until you got it exactly right? Is there a good side and a bad side to this?