Iga Swiatek did not ‘expect such harsh judgements’ after ball boy incident at Indian Wells
Published 18/03/2025 at 10:14 GMT
Former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek has taken to social media to explain an incident that occurred in her semi-final defeat to Mirra Andreeva in Indian Wells. Swiatek was seen swiping at a ball that came close to hitting a ball boy, and despite immediately apologising to him, the Polish player has now gone into a detailed explanation of exactly what happened.
Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three set defeat against Mirra Andreeva
Image credit: Getty Images
Iga Swiatek’s semi-final defeat to eventual champion Mirra Andreeva in Indian Wells was marred by a moment of frustration from the Pole - which has caused plenty of headlines.
Swiatek took to social media to explain both what happened on court, and what has been happening off the court following her ban last season for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.
In Indian Wells, Swiatek was thrown a ball by the ball boy, only to hit it back towards him in apparent frustration, the ball eventually bouncing up into the stands.
It is the sort of incident that has led to players being defaulted in the past - especially if the ball connects with anyone on the court - but Swiatek was quick to explain that she did immediately apologise for the incident, before detailing what caused her outburst.
"I see there's been a lot of recent talk about changes in my on-court behaviour and emotions. Although I'm not comfortable explaining myself, it's time I share my perspective to stop the speculation and baseless theories," she wrote on social media.
"First, about the incident during my last match. It’s true - I expressed frustration in a way I’m not proud of. My intention was never to aim the ball at anyone but merely to release my frustration by bouncing it on the ground.
- Draper wins biggest title yet with dominant straight-sets victory over Rune in Indian Wells
- Andreeva stuns favourite Sabalenka to claim first WTA Indian Wells title - 'I had to run like a rabbit'
"I immediately apologised to the ball boy, we made eye contact and nodded to each other when I expressed regret that it happened near him. I’ve seen many players bounce balls in frustration, and frankly, I didn’t expect such harsh judgements.
"Usually, I control such impulses, so half-jokingly I can say I lack experience in this and misjudged my aim in the heat of the moment."
Swiatek has been involved in some high-profile losses this year, including an incredibly tight defeat to eventual champion Madison Keys in Australia.
She has also lost twice in a row to Andreeva, the teenage sensation continuing her climb up the rankings - which goes some way to explaining her growing on-court frustrations.
But that is not the only thing that has caused the apparent change in temperament for the five-time Grand Slam champion.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/01/23/4088970-82917048-2560-1440.png)
Keys beats Swiatek in thriller to reach final after saving match point - highlights
Video credit: TNT Sports
"The second half of last year was extremely challenging for me, especially during the positive doping test and how circumstances completely beyond my control took away my chances to fight for the highest sporting goals at the end of the season," she added.
"In the Middle East… it struck me hard that my positive test result case, missing two highly-ranked tournaments in October, and last year's exceptional results [winning four 1000-level tournaments and a Grand Slam in the first half of the season] will keep affecting my ranking and basically take away my chance for No 1.
"This realisation deeply upset me. You could see this on the court in Dubai."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/03/18/image-9fec2800-a102-4077-8638-047eabdf36e9-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Iga Swiatek of Poland
Image credit: Getty Images
Swiatek was banned for one-month last year after testing positive for the prohibited substance trimetazidine (TMZ) in August 2024. The ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) confirmed that contaminated medicine was the cause, and that Swiatek bore no significant fault or negligence.
She missed the Asian swing of the tour, and lost her No. 1 ranking to Aryna Sabalenka as a result of the points lost.
Swiatek continued to explain that she is constantly working on herself and her mindset as she comes to terms with her new reality.
"Sometimes we take two steps forward and one step back. I’m facing new elements of this puzzle all the time: circumstances change, my experiences evolve, I evolve, opponents evolve, and I must constantly adapt.
"It’s never easy, and it’s particularly challenging for me right now. Sport is not played by robots. I’ve had three incredible seasons, but nothing comes effortlessly, and there’s no guarantee results will always be easy or under control. That’s life, and that’s sport."
Counting against Swiatek at the moment is the continued rise of Andreeva, who has broken into the top 10 aged just 17-years-old. Sabalenka is also a constant foe, Coco Gauff can never be discounted and Keys is now playing with plenty of confidence after her triumph in Melbourne.
- Nadal reveals two strategies he used to beat Federer and Djokovic - 'It was a chess match'
- Kyrgios 'emotional' after latest injury setback in tearful Indian Wells exit - 'One of the biggest challenges'
"When I’m highly focused and don't show many emotions on court, I’m called a robot, my attitude labelled as inhuman.
"Now that I’m more expressive, showing feelings or struggling internally, I’m suddenly labelled immature or hysterical. That’s not a healthy standard," Swiatek concluded, before going on to thank her fans who have stood by her.
Swiatek has lost further ground in the rankings after losing in the semi-finals in Indian Wells, having won the tournament last year.
A deep run in Miami this week would help her regain some lost ground, and with her favourite clay-court season coming up, there is still every chance that she could regain that No. 1 ranking at some point this year.
Watch and stream the 2025 French Open live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement