'This is off-limits': Iga Swiatek shares reason behind not visiting her residence in Poland

Poland’s Iga Swiatek has revealed a reason which is stopping her from visiting her own place in Poland. The 23-year-old, who is regarded as one of the best players currently playing in women’s tennis in the singles category, is going through a rough period.

Swiatek recently featured in the Rome Open, where her journey was cut short after she lost in the round of 32 to America’s Danielle Collins in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 7-5. Before being featured in the third round, she spoke to the media and explained one reason, which was stopping her from visiting her own place in Poland.

"I can accept it when it’s at work and I’m going to a practice and everything, but for example, when it’s close to my home and I’m having just to walk with a friend or with a family member, I’d rather them not do that because that’s my time off,” she said. “I had an incident actually, after Miami, when I was home, and paparazzi followed me almost to my apartment. I stopped them and said, 'Ok, tomorrow I’m going to practice. You can take photos of me when I go there, but this is off-limits.'"

Swiatek’s recent defeat means that she is now set to leave the top-3 in WTA rankings after going through a disappointing campaign. The former world number one has not won a single WTA tournament or a Grand Slam since lifting the French Open last year. This year, Swiatek, despite featuring in four semifinals, has not managed to cement a spot in the final of any competition. She lost in the last-four contest of the Australian Open to America’s Madison Keys, of the Qatar Open to Latvia’s Jeļena Ostapenko, of the Indian Wells to Russia’s Mirra Andreeva and of the Madrid Open to America’s Coco Gauff.