Iga Świątek observed her semifinal match against Mirra Andreeva at Indian Wells. Following her defeat, Świątek addressed recent discussions about changes in her on-court behavior and emotions in a social media post. She acknowledged an incident during the match where she vented her frustrations by hitting a ball thrown to her by a ball boy hard into the ground, leading to boos from the crowd. The tennis star expressed regret for her actions, explaining that her intention was not to aim the ball at anyone but to release her frustration by bouncing it on the ground.
Świątek also mentioned the impact of a one-month doping suspension she received for testing positive for heart medication trimetazidine due to the contamination of a non-prescription medication she was taking for jet lag and sleep issues. Despite this setback, she has reached the semifinals in multiple tournaments since her return.
Reflecting on the judgment she faces for her on-court demeanor, Świątek emphasized her commitment to her own path and inspiring fans and children through her tennis career. She acknowledged that while she may not please everyone, she remains dedicated to working hard and achieving her goals at her own pace.
On Friday, Naomi Osaka advanced to the third round of the Miami Open, a tournament she had won in 2022. Sign up at CNN.com for more CNN news and newsletters.
