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Iga Swiatek, the world No 3 tennis player, has spoken candidly about her struggles after a difficult defeat at the Miami Open. The Polish player lost to her compatriot Magda Linette in a messy three-set affair, marking one of her most challenging losses in years. In a post-match media session, Swiatek broke down in tears, highlighting the emotional toll of her recent performances. She described her current situation as 'the worst nightmare a top tennis player can have,' struggling to cope with the pressure and weight of her achievements. Swiatek's issues on the court have been compounded by her mental state. Despite being a six-time grand slam title winner and one of the greatest players of her generation, she has been plagued by chronic overthinking, worrying, and second-guessing her decisions. The problems began in the autumn of 2024 after a positive test for the banned substance trimetazidine, which led to a month-long suspension. Although she proved the substance was in a permitted sleep medication, the incident affected her performance. Swiatek's inactivity in the final months of 2024 meant she couldn't regain her No 1 ranking, which has been held by her rival Aryna Sabalenka. In a bid to address her struggles, Swiatek has parted ways with her coach, Wim Fissette. Her partnership with sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz has been crucial in her career, but Swiatek may need to take more ownership of her decision-making to move forward. Despite her current challenges, Swiatek remains a formidable player, known for her destructive groundstrokes, heavy topspin, and supreme athleticism. Her mental toughness has been a key factor in her success, but it has also become a source of stress in recent months.

Bach's St John Passion is a masterpiece that comes close to being an opera, and this new recording by Pygmalion, conducted by Raphaël Pichon, brings out its theatrical qualities in spades. The ensemble's performance is razor-sharp throughout, with a vigorous engagement with the reflective chorale texts.The St John Passion relies on the Evangelist to narrate the bulk of the story, and Pichon is fortunate in having Julien Prégardien on tenor vocals. Prégardien's voice rises to an outraged shriek as he declares Barrabas a murderer, and his achingly florid recall of Peter's bitter tears is noteworthy.The soloists are also impressive, with Huw Montague Rendall bringing tonal richness and unswerving gravitas to the role of Jesus, and Christian Immler's agitated Pilate swinging back and forth like a tormented weathervane. Ying Fang's purity and Lucile Richardot's otherworldliness round off one of the most theatrical St Johns in the catalogue.