Iga Świątek Faces Backlash After On-Court Incident at Indian Wells

The tennis star apologized for hitting a ball near a ball boy during her semifinal loss, reigniting debates about double standards in the sport.

Iga Świątek hit a ball in frustration during her Indian Wells semifinal match, narrowly missing a ball boy, which led to boos from the crowd and widespread criticism.
Świątek immediately apologized to the ball boy and later clarified on Instagram that her intention was to bounce the ball on the ground, not to aim it at anyone.
The incident has fueled discussions about double standards in tennis, with comparisons to how players like Serena Williams have been judged in similar situations.
Świątek opened up about her recent emotional challenges, including a doping suspension in 2024 and ongoing public scrutiny of her on-court demeanor.
The semifinal loss to 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva marked Świątek's fifth consecutive semifinal defeat, as Andreeva went on to win the Indian Wells tournament.