Follow us on Google Discover Iga Swiatek fell well short of another WTA title this week as she lost to Jasmine Paolini in the quarterfinals of the Wuhan Open.
Swiatek has, however, already clinched her spot at the WTA Finals, which take place in Riyadh next month.
She currently occupies second place in the WTA rankings, with three titles won by the Pole this season so far.
Swiatek will conclude her season with the WTA Finals, a tournament the six-time Grand Slam champion won in 2023.
But she has also turned one eye to the 2026 calendar, with Swiatek committing to the United Cup with Poland, an event at which she has twice finished as runner-up.
Photo by Hermann Chu/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty ImagesTennis fans fear Iga Swiatek has made a big mistake before the 2026 Australian Open
It is a decision that has drawn criticism and fears from her followers, many of whom believe it is not the ideal preparation for a successful run at the 2026 Australian Open.
One worried fan wrote on X: “Not this again Iga please. Why can’t she play a normal tournament before AO?”
READ MORE: It is becoming obvious what Iga Swiatek needs after her heavy defeat to Jasmine Paolini
A second concurred: “Noooo… why Iga? She always plays UC before AO and then it affects her results at AO, why does she keep doing this to us?”
Others commented: “Was kind of hoping she’d try something else as prep for Melbourne,” and “Ends in tears every single year and she still wants to do it…”
Another of her followers wrote: “Can Iga’s teammates please step up and help my girl win this time, she cannot be starting her season with a heartbreak.”
And another fan said: “What a bad decision for Iga. She complains about her busy schedule and then plays pointless tournaments like this. I don’t think I’ve ever seen [Jannik] Sinner or [Aryna] Sabalenka play one.”
Then get stressed if the result not as expected and got attack by her own ppl (aka media). Rather focus on improve everything she is now lacking and changing some ppl, rather than this. And prepare for AO. https://t.co/ZiJJRTjItQ
— C ᥫ᭡ (@cpsjusuf) October 13, 2025
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What is Iga Swiatek’s entire history at the Australian Open?
Swiatek’s fans certainly aren’t happy with her decision to commit to the United Cup once more, but it wasn’t exactly catastrophic for her Australian Open hopes last time out.
After losing the United Cup final to the USA, she managed to reach the semifinals of the Grand Slam, and didn’t drop a single set until her exit.
The run also included three 6-0 set wins, while she only fell to eventual champion Madison Keys in Melbourne.
But Keys’ preparation for the Grand Slam was perhaps the right approach, with the American playing in and winning the Adelaide International just before.
In a very similar approach, Sabalenka played and won the Brisbane International before losing the Australian Open final to Keys.
Iga Swiatek’s Australian Open results
Importantly, the Melbourne event is the only Grand Slam that the Pole has yet to win, having added the Wimbledon trophy to her collection earlier this summer.
She’s also won the US Open once in her fantastic career, and has emerged victorious at the French Open on four occasions.