Former world number one Iga Swiatek has offered supportive words to rival Beatriz Haddad Maia after the Brazilian tennis player announced an extended break from professional competition for the rest of the 2026 season.
Swiatek, who recently won the Women's Tennis Association tournament in Toronto before heading to Cincinnati, spoke about Haddad Maia during an interview with broadcaster ESPN. The Brazilian player announced in early August that she needed rest and would take time off from the tour.
Speaking to ESPN, Swiatek said the two players remain in direct contact and that she sends messages to Haddad Maia whenever she wants to reach out. The Polish star acknowledged that the year had not been an easy season for the 30-year-old Brazilian.
Swiatek said that athletes must listen to their heart to know what they need at any given moment, stressing that personal happiness should always come first. She added that managing workload is essential so players do not exhaust themselves mentally or physically.
Support for engagement and life updates
During the broadcast, Swiatek also noted that Haddad Maia had recently become engaged, questioning lightheartedly whether she was allowed to discuss the news. After the interviewer confirmed the happy announcement, Swiatek wished her competitor all the best and reiterated that they stay in touch periodically.
Comments from the interview were subsequently shared on social media platform X by the Polish tennis account Z kortu - informacje tenisowe.
Swiatek is currently competing in the United States at the Cincinnati Open after capturing the WTA title in Toronto, Canada. The 23-year-old has established herself among the elite figures in women's professional tennis, leading the global rankings for extended stretches during her career.
Haddad Maia's season before the break
Haddad Maia, currently ranked 157th in the WTA world rankings, played her final match of the year on June 30. That appearance came at the Wimbledon championships in London, where she was eliminated following a straight-sets defeat to Mariya Timofeyeva of Uzbekistan.
Earlier in the season, the Brazilian also faced Polish player Maja Chwalinska in April at a Challenger tournament held in Oeiras, Portugal. Haddad Maia suffered another two-set loss in that match against the Polish representative before eventually deciding to pause her 2026 campaign.
