There are many ways tennis stars can endear themselves to the crowd. But hitting the ball at the ball boy is not one of them.
On Friday, Polish tennis star Iga Swiatek faced Russian teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva in the semifinal round of the Indian Wells Open in Indian Wells, California. The match did not go well for Swiatek, who was upset by Andreeva in three straight sets.
During the third set, Swiatek complained to the chair umpire about the ball boys and girls moving around behind her as she awaited Andreeva’s serves. Overcome by frustration, Swiatek hit a ball back towards a ball boy after he tossed her a ball. The stunned young man stood there with his hands raised while Swiatek berated him.
Swiatek’s actions drew immediate boos from the crowd.
Iga Swiatek hitting ball at ball kid pic.twitter.com/DGdoIG6hc1
— misinformation enjoyer (@m0chul) March 15, 2025
Swiatek’s actions also provoked strong reactions from X.
She should have been defaulted, on the spot. The ballboy had his arms spread high & wide, could so easily suffered an eye or facial injury.
— ecojag (@ecojag) March 15, 2025
How much bending & disregarding of rules or acts of poor sportsmanship, will Iga get away with?
She’s an immature child when she’s not winning. So embarrassing for her and her team
— lonley long distance runner (@thatzebraguy_) March 15, 2025
They need to start setting and enforcing behavior rules ON COURT, including language, drama, attitude, etc.
— NoMonkeyBusiness (@NoMonkeyBusine4) March 15, 2025
It's a privilege to play a child's game on national TV, not a right.
I understand these kids have to travel and live out of hotels year-round. But, either you want to…
She deserved the loss, no way to treat the ball kid!
— G (@G28261767) March 15, 2025
Should have been disqualified. Period.
— Ania Tomsia (@aniatomsia) March 15, 2025
Swiatek was the #1 ranked golfer in the world before the loss. While she was oddly not disqualified from the match, it is doubtful she will escape discipline from the World Tennis Association (WTA).
