Iga Swiatek delivered a devastating performance at SW19 on Saturday, crushing Amanda Anisimova 6-0 6-0 to secure her maiden Wimbledon championship, but criticised Polish media immediately after the result.
The Polish star's dominant display marked the end of a challenging period without silverware.
The 23-year-old had not lifted a trophy since her French Open triumph in 2024, enduring a 13-month title drought that attracted significant scrutiny.
Her comprehensive victory over the American opponent represents her sixth Grand Slam title overall.
Iga Swiatek produced a dominant display in the Wimbledon final
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The straight-sets demolition at the All England Club silenced critics who had questioned her form throughout the barren spell.
Following her victory, Swiatek used her post-match press conference to address the treatment she had endured from Polish journalists.
The six-time Grand Slam champion expressed frustration with how her native country's media had covered her performances during the difficult months without a title.
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After her commanding victory, Iga Swiatek criticised the Polish media
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She specifically highlighted the "unpleasant" nature of the coverage she and her team had received.
The criticism had intensified during the first part of 2025, with Polish media questioning her mindset and her partnership with coach Wim Fissette.
Some reports even speculated about potential issues in her personal life affecting her tennis.
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In May, it was claimed she was considering a break from the sport if the French Open went poorly, allegations Swiatek dismissed as false.
"For sure the past months, how the media sometimes describe me - and I have to say, unfortunately, the Polish media - how they treated me and my team wasn't really pleasant," she said.
The world No4 made her position clear: "I hope they will just leave me alone and let me do my job because obviously you can see that we know what we are doing, and I have the best people around me.
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The Wimbledon triumph was Iga Swiatek's sixth Grand Slam, with the world No4 now just missing the Australian Open
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"I have already proved a lot. I know people want more and more, but it's my own process and my own life and my own career. Hopefully I'm going to have freedom from them, as well, to let me do my job the way I want it."
Swiatek acknowledged that her grass court triumph felt particularly significant given the lower expectations, saying: "I think the fact that it's on grass, for sure, makes it more special, I would say, and more unexpected.
"I could really focus on getting better and developing as a player rather than everybody just asking me to win, win, and nothing is good besides winning.
"I kind of enjoyed that because expectations were a bit lower."
Swiatek also noted that both this victory and her US Open title "feel better because no one expected that."