Iga Świątek's Grand Slam Streak Ends in US Open Fourth-Round

Iga Świątek's remarkable four-year streak of winning at least one Grand Slam title each season is over. The Polish star suffered a stunning fourth-round defeat at the US Open 2026, losing 7-5, 6-3 to China's Qinwen Zheng, the reigning Olympic champion, on September 8. This result means Świątek will finish a calendar year without a major title for the first time since 2021.

How did Qinwen Zheng pull off the comeback?

Zheng's victory was an act of pure resilience that stunned Flushing Meadows. Świątek had roared to a commanding 5-0 lead in the opening set, seemingly in total control. But Zheng, who had saved a match point from 5-0 down in the previous round, refused to panic. She won the next seven games in a row to take the first set and then overpowered a shellshocked Świątek in the second. "I started the match not so well, but I found my rhythm," Zheng said after the match. "I just focused point by point. I even forgot the score in the first set." The win made Zheng the first qualifier to reach the US Open quarter-finals since Emma Raducanu's title run in 2021.

What does this mean for Świątek's 2026 season?

The US Open exit caps a disappointing Grand Slam year for the six-time major champion. Her 2026 results at the majors were a quarter-final at the Australian Open, a fourth-round loss at the French Open, a third-round defeat at Wimbledon, and now this fourth-round exit in New York. After the match, Świątek admitted her game fell apart. "I just started making too many mistakes," she said. "I tried to correct the situation, but at that point nothing was working anymore."

This slump followed a period of recalibration. Just weeks before the US Open, Świątek had claimed her first title of the year at the National Bank Open in Toronto on August 13. That win was a critical boost, halting a slide that had put her top-10 ranking at risk.

What is the financial standing of the former world No. 1?

Despite the on-court struggles, Świątek remains one of the sport's most successful athletes financially. Her career earnings from prize money, combined with major endorsement deals, have amassed a reported fortune estimated at $30 million. This financial success is built on her consistent excellence at the highest level, including those six Grand Slam titles.

• Grand Slam Streak Ends: Świątek's run of winning at least one major title per year from 2022 to 2025 is over after her US Open loss to Zheng.
• 2026 Major Results: She failed to reach a semi-final in any of the four Grand Slams this season.
• Recent Form: Her title in Toronto in August provided a brief respite during a challenging year.

Her legacy as a dominant force is secure, but the 2026 season has undeniably been a test. The question now is how the 25-year-old regroups during the off-season to challenge again in 2027.