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Iga Świątek, the world’s number two tennis player, recently addressed the criticism she faced following an incident during her semifinal match against Mirra Andreeva at the Indian Wells tournament. In a moment of frustration, Świątek struck a ball into the ground, which narrowly missed a ball boy. She immediately apologized to the ball boy and later expressed surprise at the severity of the public’s reaction.
In a candid Instagram post, Świątek explained that her intention was not to target anyone but to release pent-up frustration. She acknowledged the incident as a mistake and noted that while many players exhibit similar behaviors, she did not anticipate such harsh judgments.
Świątek also reflected on the challenges she has faced over the past year, including a one-month suspension after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine. She explained that the positive test was due to contamination of non-prescription melatonin she was taking for jet lag and sleep issues. This period was emotionally taxing for her, leading to moments of self-doubt and distress.
Addressing the public’s perception of her on-court demeanor, Świątek highlighted the double standards she experiences. She pointed out that when she remains composed, she’s labeled “robotic,” but when she displays emotion, she’s deemed “immature” or “hysterical.” She emphasized the difficulty of meeting such inconsistent expectations and expressed her commitment to personal growth on her own terms.
Świątek concluded by expressing gratitude to her supporters and reaffirmed her dedication to achieving her goals at her own pace. She is scheduled to compete next in the Miami Open, aiming to move forward from recent controversies.