Truth comes to light about Iga Swiatek act as Aryna Sabalanka spotted in stunning post-match move
Madison Keys was left baffled as she waited for the World No.2 to return to court - but was it actually Swiatek's fault?
Anger surrounding Iga Swiatek's bizarre mid-match act against Madison Keys has been shut down after fresh details emerged, showing it might not have actually been her fault. Swiatek and Keys produced an all-time classic in the Australian Open semi-final after the American saved a match point before going on to advance 5-7 6-1 7-6 (10-8) and reach her second grand slam final.
However, Swiatek left viewers and her opponent dumbfounded with her actions to start the third set when Keys was waiting to serve. Keys had the momentum heading into the decider having levelled the match in emphatic fashion.
The American emerged ready to serve in the third, but was waiting for Swiatek who took advantage of a toilet break at the end of the set. Keys asked the chair umpire if Swiatek was pushing the time limit as Swiatek was not ready to play. The chair umpire did call 'time' to tell players to be back on court and ready, but music could still could be heard playing and spectators were out of their seats.
Swiatek appeared to keep her opponent waiting as she went through a routine of practice forehands and backhands to the side of the court. The crowd and Keys looked miffed at Swiatek as she held up play.
New vision shows it wasn't Iga Swiatek's fault
While there has been plenty of backlash to Swiatek's actions, the chair umpire hadn't actually called 'play' yet for the final set to begin. Just because Keys was ready to serve, it didn't mean Swiatek had to be ready until the chair umpire deemed play could start.
Because a stadium staff member hadn't turned the music off yet, the chair umpire couldn't call play. And that explains why he didn't hit Swiatek with a time violation.
Tennis fans thought Swiatek had pushed the boundaries, and some even accused the Polish star of gamesmanship in a bid to halt the momentum of Keys. Although new vision has shown Swiatek did not break any rules and the players were simply halted by the music still playing.
Fortunately for Keys and her team she was able to hold her nerve throughout the third set and take it in a tiebreak to advance to the Australian Open grand slam final. She will take on reigning champion Sabalenka.
why didn't you put it with sound? the music was still playing so they were waiting for the referee's sign? pic.twitter.com/xPYM5P4o8l
— nat (@hsangelus) January 23, 2025
Aryna Sabalenka shows her class towards beaten opponent
Paula Badosa has been another success story of the Australian Open with the Spaniard bouncing back from a number of career-ending injuries to reach the semi-final. Although her fairytale run ended against good friend and reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka who produced unbelievable tennis to win 6-4 6-2 and set-up a clash with Keys.
Sabalenka was all class in her post-match interview and even suggested she would take Badosa shopping after their clash. “After a couple of battles against each other we spoke and we decided to, you know, put it aside. We’re here. She wants it badly. We both want it badly. It’s our dream. Here we were opponents,” Sabalenka said in her on-court interview with Jelena Dokic.
“No matter (what happens) on the court we’ll be friends after our matches. It’s tough to do. We agreed on that. I think we’re doing it pretty well. I don’t know. I hope she’s still my friend. I mean, I’m sure she’ll hate me for the next, I don’t know, hour or day or two. I can handle that. After that I think we’re back to being friends. Back to going out together, shopping. I don’t know what else.”
Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa after their match at Australian Open.
Less than 20 minutes after playing a Grand Slam semifinal… they’re back to chatting & laughing like normal.
Love this friendship so much. 🥹
pic.twitter.com/AjPo86Bl5Z— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 23, 2025
And only 20 minutes after leaving Rod Laver Arena, Sabalenka was caught on the cameras consoling Badosa in the players' locker room. Badosa was seen hunched over, but sharing a laugh with Sabalenka as the two embraced.
Speaking in her post-match press conference, Sabalenka admitted she played some of her best tennis in the semi-final. “I was expecting, of course, a good level, but maybe not that much. But no, she came, like, to say that she played three semifinals before she won a title. She was very proud of my improvement lately, especially with all I’ve been through," she added.
“So, yeah, we were just joking around. I’m really happy that, look, if I have to lose against somebody, of course I want to lose against world No. 1 and against Aryna, and I wish her the best.” ️
Sabalenka now has a chance to win her third straight Australian Open title when she takes plays Keys on Saturday. She became the first woman to reach three consecutive Australian Open finals since Serena Williams achieved the feat in 2015-2017. The Belarusian has also won 33 of her last 34 matches on hard court.