Iga Swiatek, the 21-year-old Polish professional is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world in the women’s circuit currently, ranked world number 1, Swiatek has been excellent for most of 2022 and she has not disappointed with her performances in major tournaments as well.
Despite struggling for most part of her hard-court swing, Swiatek has made it up with her performance at the US Open. The Polish international managed to reach the quarter-finals of the Poland Open, and she faced second round defeats in the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open.
Tennis Twitter calls out Iga Swiatek for changing racquets
World number 1, Iga Swiatek stood up to the expectations that millions of fans had from her going into the US Open, after struggling for majority of the hard court swing, Swiatek came with a mission in the US Open as the Polish professional went all the way to the finals and beat Ons Jabeur to lift the title.
A bizarre moment in the match came during the second set as Iga Swiatek decided to change her racquet when she reached the championship point, man fans took to Twitter to call out Swiatek on the changing of her racquet as they accused her of distracting Jabeur in the tiebreak
One of the fans wrote, “I think there should be a bit more discussion in general about Iga Swiatek’s on-court behaviour tbh. I don’t think she’s particularly sporting and her racket tapping, arm waving etc are blatant hindrances. Makes it harder to warm to her success despite her incredible talent.”
This is not the first time that Swiatek changed racquets in the tiebreak and it probably wasn’t the last time, many called Swiatek out over the racquet while many were defending her as well as fans claimed that Ons Jabeur did not even notice the racquet change and that the claims Siwatek did it for distraction is baseless as the Tunisian professional did not even notice.
I think I can safely say there will be much discussion of Swiatek's decision to change her racquet before championship point, whoever wins this tie-break and whatever happens from here.
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) September 10, 2022
I think there should be a bit more discussion in general about Iga’s on court behaviour tbh. I don’t think she’s particularly sporting and her racket tapping, arm waving etc are blatant hindrances. Makes it harder to warm to her success despite her incredible talent.
— Oliver Eyre (@OlliePop43) September 10, 2022
What's with all these annoying tactics Iga Swiatek is using? Constantly changing her racquet, before her opponent is about to serve down MP? Holding Jabeur up on serve constantly. Shaking her arms around at the net? Sly. #usopen
— wtaaddict 🫧 (@wtaaddict) September 10, 2022
Oh, c’mon. Jabeur was kicking balls into the stands and into the net. Leave it be.
— Greg gray (@Alpinevireo) September 10, 2022
Pretty inexcusable. But she seems to like these sorts of gamesmanship moments, like waving her arms as a distraction at the net again. Put that with a crowd yelling during the serve and during games summed up a pretty lousy final. But then Iga matches usually are bad watches.
— William Spencer (@devon_type3) September 10, 2022
I also think that her delaying tactics should be discussed.
— Elsebe (@elsebesiebie) September 10, 2022
She is an excellent player. Why is this necessary?
"I honestly did not see her changing the racquet."
– Jabeur, on Swiatek, re match point.For those saying this was gamesmanship, it clearly wasn't.
It only took a few seconds, and the person who was supposed to be "put off" by it didn't even see it. So, end of.
— Matt Trollope (@MattyAT) September 10, 2022
Haters just tried to find a way to discredit her so we move
— Tris Boom (@TranBuiMz) September 11, 2022
Iga constanly cheats via gamesmenship. Puts her raquest up to make the server wait. Sickeni ng
— Athena (@dru_nan) September 10, 2022
Should be more discussion on how disgraceful this crowd has behaved this 2nd set though
— S (@sebmax33) September 10, 2022
Because you are going to start it if she wins??
— Karolina (@soyoucanignore) September 10, 2022
Also Read: US Open 2022: How much prize money will ‘CHAMPION’ Iga Swiatek take home?
Also Read: List of records broken by Iga Swiatek after winning the 2022 US Open
