“My intention was never to aim the ball at anyone”: Iga Swiatek breaks silence after ball kid incident at Indian Wells

Iga Swiatek has broken her silence following criticism over an on-court outburst at Indian Wells, where she hit a ball in frustration that ended up near a ball kid. The world No. 2 addressed the incident in a candid social media post, clarifying that she never intended to direct the ball at anyone and expressing remorse for her actions.

“My intention was never to aim the ball at anyone but merely to release my frustration by bouncing it on the ground,” Swiatek explained. “I immediately apologized to the ball boy, we made eye contact, and nodded to each other when I expressed regret that it happened near him.”

The five-time Grand Slam champion also pushed back against critics who labeled her “immature” or “hysterical” for displaying emotion on court, highlighting the unrealistic expectations placed on athletes.

“When I’m highly focused and don’t show emotions, I’m called a robot. When I express my feelings, I’m suddenly labeled immature,” she noted. “That’s not a healthy standard.”

Swiatek also revealed that the past six months have been emotionally challenging, particularly following a one-month doping ban, which left her feeling like her “career was hanging by a thread.” She admitted she spent “three weeks crying daily” and struggled to regain confidence.

The Polish star acknowledged that speaking out might not change public perception but hoped some would understand her perspective. “People love to judge and create theories, but maybe a few will actually understand what I’ve been going through,” she said.

Swiatek, who returned to competition at the United Cup in January, remains focused on rebuilding momentum despite the setbacks, though she admitted that missing key tournaments had significantly impacted her ranking.