Iga Świątek is back with another book break, this time with a novel that practically invites discussion about how we perceive the world. On September 30, 2026, she posted an Instagram video review of Patrick Süskind’s The Perfume as part of her annual Reading Challenge. The post was noticed by the Polish outlet Przegląd Sportowy Onet, which noted that Świątek addressed fans and suggested continuing the discussion in the comments.

Iga Świątek on Instagram: “Today I have a review of Patrick Süskind’s The Perfume for you… Let me know in the comments what impressed you the most”api.tennis

In the caption to the video, Świątek reminded followers that the novel was published “some time ago” in 1985, and immediately shifted the conversation into the familiar format of her challenge: not just a recommendation from above, but a shared book club in the comments. She posed a separate question to those who had seen the film.

Iga Świątek on Instagram (@iga.swiatek), quoted by Przegląd Sportowy Onet: “Hej! Dzisiaj mam dla was recenzję książki Patricka Süskinda »Pachnidło«, która ukazała się już jakiś czas temu, bo w 1985 r. Jestem ciekawa, czy większość z was już ją czytała? [...] No i oczywiście, czy polecacie film?”api.tennis

What Świątek said about The Perfume

In the video itself, as reported by Przegląd Sportowy Onet, Świątek highlighted above all the novel’s unusual perspective: the book, in her words, “describes the world through the sense of smell.” For the player, that was a reason not only to talk about the plot, but also about how literature shifts attention away from the usual ways of perceiving reality.

Iga Świątek in an Instagram video, quoted by Przegląd Sportowy Onet: “Opisuje świat zmysłem węchu [...] Książka wyjątkowa. Powiedziałabym, że jedyna w swoim rodzaju. [...] Fajnie było przypomnieć sobie o tym, że świat można poznawać też innymi zmysłami niż wzrok, słuch albo dotyk.”api.tennis

In the same review, Świątek mentioned the grotesque humor and the “sensation of stuffiness” created by the intensity of the descriptions of smells. She also promised that the next Reading Challenge installment would be “even more creative” - without giving any further details, but with a clear invitation to keep an eye on future episodes.

The film question was not random: Perfume: The Story of a Murderer was adapted by director Tom Tykwer. According to Cineuropa, the film was released in Germany on September 14, 2006; the release data also lists a U.S. release date of December 27, 2006. Świątek did not offer her own assessment of the adaptation in the post, instead asking followers whether they would recommend it.

Reading Challenge: how it all began

Świątek’s book challenge is not a one-off feature. According to WTA Insider, the initiative began back in 2023 under the hashtags #ReadWithIga and #IGAreads. The idea was simple and very clear: read 12 books a year and accompany that with spoken “book reports” on social media.

In March 2026, Świątek officially announced that she was bringing back the Reading Challenge. Dzień Dobry TVN quoted her post: the goal was to read twelve books or more. It was also reported there that by the end of the year she promised prizes for the most active participants.

Iga Świątek on Instagram, quoted by Dzień Dobry TVN: “Nie wiem, czy słyszeliście już pogłoski, ale chciałabym oficjalnie ogłosić, że wracamy do Reading Challenge. [...] Celem jest przeczytanie dwunastu książek lub więcej.”api.tennis

The first choice of the revamped challenge in 2026 was The Bee Sting by Paul Murray. On March 17, Fakt Sport quoted Świątek’s message to followers: she asked who had already read the book and asked them to share their opinions. The format was thus once again established as a conversation, not just a list of recommendations.

In that sense, The Perfume fits well into Świątek’s Reading Challenge logic: she picks a book, briefly says what she noticed in it, and then leaves space for her followers - for reviews, associations and arguments about whether the film is worth watching.

Why Świątek’s book posts stand out

Świątek has spoken before about reading as an important part of her life away from the court. At a press conference in Dubai in February 2025, she told Tennis.com that during tournaments she prefers lighter books: reading something too demanding can take over her mind at the wrong time.

Iga Świątek at a press conference in Dubai, Tennis.com: “I would love to have time to read something that is more complicated, I don't know, philosophical… I'm a person that over‑thinks stuff. So if I read something that is too hard, you can be sure I'm going to have some sleepless nights. I need to avoid that during the tournament, for sure.”api.tennis

The challenge also has a response from the other side. In an interview with WP SportoweFakty in June 2026, Świątek gave an example of how her book posts go beyond an ordinary social media update: someone came up to her and said that his daughter had started reading books thanks to the Reading Challenge.

The reaction to the return of the challenge was noticeable too. Dzień Dobry TVN cited comments under the March announcement: “Moje ulubione wyzwanie”, “Wspaniała inicjatywa”, “Podejmuję wyzwanie”. And under the first 2026 pick, The Bee Sting, followers, according to Fakt Sport, wrote: “Jest świetna!” and “Nie można się oderwać”.

What next

For now, the story continues in the comments under the video about The Perfume: Świątek asked followers to write what impressed them most in the book and to discuss the adaptation separately. The Reading Challenge results and prizes for the most active participants are expected at the end of 2026 - exactly as she announced the project’s return in March.