Tennis Star Iga Świątek Smashes Ball Boy with Ball at Indian Wells Semifinal — Then Loses Against 17-Year-Old Mirra Andreeva
Clive Brunskill/Getty
Iga ŚwiątekPolish tennis star Iga Świątek was booed during her semifinal match against 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells for smashing a ball back at a ball boy.
The 2024 French U.S. Open winner, 23, was on a 10-match win streak at the tournament when she hit the court on Friday, March 14, to play the Russian teen breakout. Świątek struggled during the third set, which ultimately ended with her 1-6 loss, and was heard complaining about the ball kids on the court making noise behind her.
In a video of the match that has since garnered millions of views online, Świątek was visibly frustrated at one point when one of the ball boys tossed her a ball. Upon his toss, Świątek swatted her racket and smashed the ball right back at him.
The ball boy then put his hands up and moved out of the way just in time to miss any contact with the ball.
Robert Prange/Getty
Iga Świątek on March 14Still, the crowd in California reportedly booed the tennis star before the match continued. It ended with a 7-6 (1), 1-6 and 6-3 victory for Andreeva, who ultimately won the California tournament on March 16. On social media, fans of Świątek called her out for what they deemed poor sportsmanship.
One fan commented on an Instagram post from Świątek, "I think you should apologize to that ball boy and to your fans like me for your behavior in your loss to Andreeva. It is not fitting for such a champion. I hope you can learn to be more graceful in your losses."
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Another fan commented on a separate Instagram post that the tennis star shared on Sunday, March 16, announcing her next matches in Stuttgart, Germany: "I’m a big fan of yours Iga and I have been for a long time. I know you have the highest expectations and that you are a perfectionist. But I was disappointed with your actions around the ball boy in Indian Wells. I hope you can learn to show more grace when you lose to your opponents and those around you. Keep up the good work."
Read the original article on People
Topics
-
Mirra Andreeva blows away Iga Swiatek to book Indian Wells final against Aryna Sabalenka
Andreeva defeats Swiatek 7-6, 1-6, 6-3 Sabalenka crushes Keys 6-0, 6-1 Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva beat defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-6, 1-6, 6-3 to reach the Indian Wells final for the ...The Guardian - 2d -
Andreeva to face Sabalenka in Indian Wells final
Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva beats defending champion Iga Swiatek at Indian Wells to set up a final against top seed Aryna Sabalenka.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
17-year-old Andreeva advances to Indian Wells final, beating Swiatek in chilly conditions
Russian teen star Mirra Andreeva advanced to the BNP Paribas Open final, beating defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-6 (1), 1-6, 6-3 in chilly conditions Friday night to become the tournament’s ...ABC News - 1d -
The 17-Year-Old Tennis Phenomenon Growing Up on the Biggest Stages
Mirra Andreeva’s rise to the top of tennis looked inevitable. Its steepness has shocked the sport.The New York Times - 1d -
Carlos Alcaraz feels 'at home' at Indian Wells with win over Francisco Cerúndolo
The 21-year-old Spanish tennis star is now into his fourth consecutive Indian Wells semifinal.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Swiatek to face Andreeva in Indian Wells semis
Defending champion Iga Swiatek sets up an Indian Wells semi-final against teenager Mirra Andreeva, while top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka faces Madison Keys.BBC News - 2d -
Inside the Sudden Rise to Fame of a Tennis Bee Catcher
Lance Davis saved Carlos Alcaraz and the Indian Wells tennis event last year, when bees swarmed over the main court and stung the star.The New York Times - 3d -
Andreeva, 17, tops world No. 1 Sabalenka for Indian Wells title
Russian 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva toppled world number one Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Sunday to capture her second WTA 1000 title at Indian Wells.Yahoo Sports - 7h -
2025 Indian Wells Open: How to watch the Round of 16 at the tennis tournament, full TV schedule and more
It's time for the Indian Wells Open.Yahoo Sports - 4d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
‘Frustrated’ Suns still searching for answers. Those may not come until summer.
“It's frustrating. We show we can do the right thing sometimes, and then sometimes we don’t,” Devin Booker said.Yahoo Sports - 23m -
Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins used shocking leverage to get deals with Bengals done
The Bengals had no choice...for a bigger reason than it seems.Yahoo Sports - 26m -
Kentucky vs. Liberty game time set for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener
What time does Kentucky women’s basketball play Liberty in March Madness? Here’s the game time for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener.Yahoo Sports - 28m -
Oregon women's basketball vs. Vanderbilt game time set for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener
What time does Oregon women's basketball play Vanderbilt in March Madness? Here's the game time for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener.Yahoo Sports - 28m -
Bengals sign WR duo to historic deals totaling $276 million
Bengals make Ja'Marr Chase the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history; Tee Higgins the highest-paid No. 2 WR in league historyYahoo Sports - 29m
More in Sports
-
Ja'Marr Chase extension: 10 highest-paid non-quarterbacks in NFL after Bengals star gets massive new deal
Chase is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL historyCBS Sports - 16m -
Bengals make Ja'Marr Chase the NFL's highest-paid non-QB, also sign Tee Higgins to massive deal, per reports
The duo is staying in CincinnatiCBS Sports - 21m -
‘Frustrated’ Suns still searching for answers. Those may not come until summer.
“It's frustrating. We show we can do the right thing sometimes, and then sometimes we don’t,” Devin Booker said.Yahoo Sports - 23m -
March Madness 2025: Michigan wins the Big Ten Tournament, gets No. 5 seed; make it make sense
The Wolverines earned more respect than the committee showed on SundayCBS Sports - 26m -
Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins used shocking leverage to get deals with Bengals done
The Bengals had no choice...for a bigger reason than it seems.Yahoo Sports - 26m