Casper Ruud offered encouraging words to Iga Swiatek after her heartbreaking loss in the semifinal of the Madrid Open. The defending champion was outclassed in straight sets by Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-1.

Swiatek entered Madrid after a quarterfinal finish in Stuttgart. She started her campaign by cruising past Linda Noskova, Diana Shnaider and Madison Keys in the initial few rounds but couldn’t make her mark against Coco Gauff.

After watching the Pole break down during her semifinal encounter, former World No. 2 Casper Ruud posted a heartfelt message in support. He wrote on X:

“Hey, Iga Swiatek. Keep your head up. Like millions of other people, I love watching you play. Not your day today, but you inspire so many, and you’ll be back stronger than ever!!”

Swiatek has had a mediocre season so far, considering her high standards. She is yet to win a trophy this year and has chalked up 26 wins from 34 matches on the tour.

The Pole had captured two titles until the clay court season last year but has struggled to find her A-game in 2025. She spoke about her performance in the semifinal and addressed her form throughout the Madrid Open.

“I couldn’t really get my level up. Coco played good, but, yeah, I think it’s, you know, on me that I didn’t really move well, I wasn’t ready to play back the shots with heaviness, and, yeah, with that kind of game like, yeah, it was pretty bad,” Iga Swiatek said.

“For sure, I feel like I haven’t been moving well and you know, the tennis also was like on and off, you know, for most of the tournament. So I wasn’t really sure what I have in my toolbox, you know, but yeah, for sure, like I didn’t even have a plan B because nothing was working today,” she added.

Iga Swiatek lost her fourth semifinal of the season at the Madrid Open. She also reached the last four in Melbourne, Doha and Indian Wells, but couldn’t reach the final at any of those events this year.

Coco Gauff defeated Iga Swiatek for the first time on clay in the Madrid Open semifinal

Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek faced each other for the 15th time on tour in the Madrid Open. Swiatek leads the head-to-head against the American 11-4.

Gauff had lost her previous five encounters on clay against Iga Swiatek. The American’s dominant straight sets win at the Madrid Open is the first time she’s defeated the former World No. 1 on the surface.

The 21-year-old is one win away from claiming her maiden title in Madrid. She will take on the winner between Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina in the final.