Iga Swiatek has asked her followers on social media to help her decide which nonprofit organisation she should donate her third round prize money from Indian Wells to.
The former French Open champion announced shortly after her 6-1, 6-0, win over Veronika Kudermetova that she will donate $50,000 of her prize money to a cause to mark World Mental Health Day. The world No.4 said she first thought about doing the gesture during her match on Sunday and opted to make an announcement at the start of her press conference.
“Mental health support, it’s always been like a close topic for me, so I want to, for the first time, do something that helps some people,” said Swiatek.
“We haven’t chosen the exact nonprofit right now because basically I came up with the idea during my match, which is not really professional. But stay tuned to my social media.”
Swiatek says she has been partly inspired by Venus Williams who has recently teamed up with the WTA and BetterHelp to launch a brand new mental health service for players. The initiative will see players access free therapy through an online platform which is worth $2M. Those who sign up will get one free month of therapy through the counselling program. The first $1M is available now and the remainder will be distributed during the rest of the season.
“Venus Williams inspired me a lot, because when I saw her statement and her initiative, I mean, that was just so great,” she said.
“I thought that even though I’m like 20 and I don’t feel like it’s time for me yet to start a foundation or something because still I need to focus on tennis.’
“I can do some smaller things and maybe just take it step by step and just learn how to do this kind of stuff.”
In the past Switaek has spoken about the importance of mental strength in tennis and is renowned for her work with sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz. Somebody who is credited with helping the Pole lift her first major title.
“For me, it was always important to use that kind of help because I always thought that in my mental toughness there is some strength that I can use on court and I can also develop in that manner,” Switek commented on working with a sports psychologist.
“It’s just good to stay open-minded. If you need that kind of help, then go for it. If you’re up to and if you’re open-minded, I think it helps a lot. As you can develop physically and tactically.”
No deadline has been announced as to when Swiatek will announce what organisation she will be donating to. In the meantime, she is preparing for a third round showdown with Jelena Ostapenko in Indian Wells.
