Iga Swiatek, the dominant force at Roland Garros since her breakthrough in 2020, enters this year’s French Open under a cloud of uncertainty. After a challenging season, the 23-year-old has dropped to world No. 5, ending her 173-week run in the top two and setting up a tougher draw for her bid to win a fifth French Open title.Since her third straight Paris triumph last June, Swiatek has yet to win a title in 2024. Despite reaching the quarterfinals or better in seven of eight tournaments, she has failed to make a final. Notable losses include a semifinal defeat to Madison Keys at the Australian Open, and recent setbacks to Coco Gauff in Madrid and Danielle Collins in Rome.Swiatek's struggles stretch back to late 2023, when she missed the Asian swing due to a one-month doping ban for testing positive for a banned heart drug. Authorities accepted her claim that it came from contaminated sleep medication.

Still, she described it as the "worst experience" of her life, bringing immense stress and anxiety.This year, off-court issues continued, including criticism for on-court behavior, harassment by a spectator, and personal grief following her grandfather’s death. Emotional breakdowns during matches have reflected her mental strain.Despite working with renowned coach Wim Fissette and long-time sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz, Swiatek admits she’s making poor decisions under pressure, driven by past expectations.Even Justine Henin, a four-time French Open champion, voiced concern: “She’s in a vicious circle. Maybe it’s time for things to come to a head.”Still, Coco Gauff, who has lost to Swiatek in previous French Opens, cautions against counting her out: “With that kind of record in Paris, she can always figure out a way to win.