‘Are You Kidding Me?’- ‘Superbrat’ John McEnroe’s Absurd Reaction Upon Witnessing Iga Swiatek’s Sports Psychologist Move

Published 11/10/2022, 12:15 AM EST
There has been a lot of debate around players’ mental health and its relation to their gameplay on the court. Players like Iga Swiatek are working with a sports psychologist to make their game better. However, John McEnroe is definitely not up for that as he feels that the psychologist can not possibly guide a player when he himself has not played the game.
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However, the results have been strikingly different for Iga Swiatek, who is currently the world no. 1 on the WTA ranking chart.
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John McEnroe gives a big no to working with sports psychologists
The American tennis legend, ‘Superbrat’ John McEnroe, was talking about the utility of sports psychologists in tennis in a podcast interview. The player shared extremely different views from the prevailing conditions of the sport. The host asked about what is the purpose of a sports psychologist. McEnroe said, “I don’t know if anyone knows the answer to what sports psychologists try to do.”
Mar 31, 2022; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Iga Swiatek (POL) celebrates after her match against Jessica Pegula (USA)(not pictured) in a women’s singles semifinal in the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
He gave an example of an active player who is working with a sport psychologist. He said, “Iga Swiatek has benefitted from it, apparently. She has got one, she’s traveling with.” However, when the issue came to him, he found the idea preposterous. The seven-time Grand Slam champion said, “I would have thought that was nuts. Are you kidding me?”
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In shock, he said, “I wanna hear about some guy telling me what to do on the court when he’s never been there, give me a break!” McEnroe concluded by saying, “He doesn’t know what he is talking about. That would have been me.”
Iga Swiatek and her impressive run in 2022
Well, McEnroe might not agree to work with a sports psychologist. But that seems to have been working extremely well for the Polish player. Iga Swiatek, the incumbent world no. 1 has been working with her sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz for more than two years now. Swiatek has focused on her mental and physical strength equally.
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WATCH THIS STORY: Rise of a superstar – Iga Swiatek’s victorious moments on the WTA tour
Swiatek won two Grand Slam titles in 2022 by winning her second Roland Garros and first US Open. Furthermore, the tennis player has 11 singles titles under her name and her constant growth in the tennis realm is being received positively.