“My intention was never to aim the ball at anyone”: Iga Swiatek breaks silence after ball kid incident at Indian Wells
Iga Swiatek found herself addressing an unusual outburst after a tense moment at Indian Wells, where she lost her cool with a ball kid during her semi-final defeat to Mirra Andreeva. The world No. 2, typically a picture of composure, unraveled in the third set of the 7-6, 1-6, 6-3 loss. Frustration boiling over, the four-time Grand Slam champ slammed a ball into the ground after a serve toss—dangerously close to a ball kid—prompting a swift backlash online.
After days of silence, Swiatek took to Instagram to set the record straight. “I see there’s been a lot of talk about my on-court behavior lately,” she wrote. “I’m not one to over-explain, but I owe it to everyone to cut through the noise.” Admitting her misstep, she clarified, “I let out frustration in a way I regret. My aim wasn’t to hit anyone—just to vent by bouncing the ball. I apologized to the ball boy right after; we locked eyes, and I nodded to show I was sorry it happened near him.”
With a hint of self-aware humor, she added, “I’ve seen players do this plenty of times, and I didn’t expect the blowback. I’m usually dialed in, so I’ll half-joke that I’m new to tantrums and misfired in the heat of it.” Swiatek acknowledged the root of her struggle: “Playing while stuck on past frustrations—stuff I can’t control—isn’t smart. My team spotted it fast, but rewiring that takes time and support.”
The five-time Major winner then peeled back the curtain on her tough 2024. A doping violation sidelined her late last year, stripping her of the Middle East swing and the No. 1 ranking right before the WTA Finals. “The positive test and losing the chance to chase big goals messed with me,” she confessed. “In Australia, I had no expectations after shaky years there—just focused on the work. It paid off; I nearly made the final. But in the Middle East, the doping fallout hit hard—missing key events, last year’s hot streak of four 1000s and a Slam—it sank my shot at No. 1. That stung, and it showed in Dubai.”
Closing out, she gave a nod to her loyal fans: “I won’t win over everyone, and I’m okay with that—I’m on my own road. I want to spark joy for fans and inspire kids with a good example.” Swiatek’s rare stumble laid bare the pressure she’s navigating, but her reflection hints at a resolve to keep pushing forward.
