Poland’s Iga Swiatek has won Toronto’s National Bank Open, and she had a few words for those who doubted her following Thursday’s match.

Following her dominant 6-2, 6-3 win over Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina in the final, Swiatek went on live television and called out her haters.

“It’s my first title of the 2026 season. It feels great, especially with all the people judging and hating at home,” Swiatek told Sportsnet’s Danielle Michaud.

“Honestly, I give less shit about it and proved I could win this tournament,” she continued.

“It feels great, especially with all the people judging and hating.”

Iga Swiatek joins @SNMichaud after winning #NBO26 for her first title in 2026. pic.twitter.com/AY6kKTdL3k


— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 14, 2026

The six-time Grand Slam champion later told reporters that this was the first time in her career she had felt angry following a tournament win.

Swiatek has apparently faced criticism from Polish media for what was a trophy-less 2026 season prior to this point.

“I’ve received unfair judgment and people painting a picture of me,” Swiatek said during her post-match press conference.

“I’ve worked hard to avoid all this noise and unnecessary judgment… that’s what makes me angry because it shouldn’t be like that.”

Her comments, however, were not directed at the Toronto crowd, which proudly supported her during all six of her matches at the National Bank Open.

In fact, Swiatek said it felt like half the crowd at Sobeys Stadium for the final were Polish.

“I was told at the beginning of the tournament that there was a huge Polish community here. I didn’t know it was that big,” Swiatek said.

The support for Swiatek at Sobeys Stadium on Thursday was noticeable.

Polish-Canadian Magdalena Pierog of Mississauga attended all six of Swiatek’s matches at the National Bank Open and passionately led the “Iga” chants each game.

Mississauga’s Magdalena Pierog has been at all six of Iga Świątek’s matches at @NBOtoronto.

Magdalena considers herself a Świątek superfan and has been leading the 🇵🇱 support at Sobeys Stadium with her “Iga, Iga” chant.#WTA #NBO2026 pic.twitter.com/i3kNPhY3z3


— Marley Dickinson (@marleydickinson) August 13, 2026

“She’s an inspiration to all of us, and Polish people are just so proud of her,” Pierog told blogTO.

“Toronto has a massive Polish community, and we are so happy to be part of her journey here.”

Lead photo by

John E. Sokolowski/Imagn Images