Mid-Match Drama Shocks Fans, Star Claims ‘I Didn’t See It’

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Polish superstar Iga Swiatek says she ‘wasn’t sure’ whether the ball controversially double-bounced during a point in her straight sets victory over American Emma Navarro on Wednesday.

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The 2022 Australian Open semi-finalist routed Navarro 6-1 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena Swiatek, progressing to the final four, where she will meet another American; No.19 Madison Keys.

In the second set, Swiatek slid to return a drop shot in spectacular fashion but Navarro thought it was a double-bounce. The point wasn’t halted, as the Pole ended up holding.

“Honestly, I didn’t see the replay after this point, because after the point I didn’t look up to the screens because I wanted to stay focussed,” the women’s two-seed told media post-match.

“I didn’t want (that) point to stay in my head for a longer period of time, but I wasn’t sure if it was a double-bounce or I hit it with my frame.

“It was hard to say because I was full-sprinting and I don’t remember even seeing the contact point. I don’t know. Sometimes, you don’t really look when you hit the ball. So, I wasn’t sure. I thought ‘this is the umpire’s job to call it’.

“I didn’t see it, so I just kind of proceeded, and I was I already focussed on the next (point).”

Swiatek was asked if those kinds of points should, in the future, be reviewable in a different way.

“I don’t know, I never really thought about it deeper,” she said.

“I would have to analyse it more. Honestly, this is the first time something like this happened to me, so I’m not sure … I think if there was some better option, tennis would use it.”

Of the contentious incident, commentator Sam Smith said: “You’re kidding me! And Navarro thinks the same. She thinks that’s not up. But the umpire is having none of it. That’s clearly a double bounce. So why didn’t she ask for a video review?”

Jelena Dokic replied: “Well, she asked after the point was done, and you’ve got to ask right then. Maybe she wasn’t sure, so maybe she wanted to play thinking she would win this point. She did ask the umpire, who didn’t allow it.”

Smith said: “That’s not a great rule. How are you supposed to react?” Alicia Molik added: “That’s a really awkward one for both players.”

Tennis reporter James Gray wrote on X: “Not for the first time, a player fails to use the video review for a double bounce. Emma Navarro complained to the umpire that she thought Iga Swiatek had not got there, but did not ask for the review. Staggering, given players have been crying out for video review…”

Commentator Jose Morgado said: “What? Where is VAR? This is ridiculous. Clear double bounce. Terrible look for tennis.” USA Today’s Dan Wolken said: “Disaster refereeing at the Australian Open. Clear double bounce. Emma Navarro got jobbed there.”

Swiatek is a four-time French Open winner and a one-time US Open champion.