Chris Evert Highlights Darker Side of Social Media After Iga Swiatek Calls Out Haters: “It’s Awful”

Iga Swiatek is in Cincinnati, competing for a back-to-back WTA 1000 title. Before coming to Cincinnati, she ended her trophy drought at the Canadian Open by defeating Elena Rybakina.

It was her first title since the 2025 Korea Open, and the Pole did not lose this opportunity to censure those who made negative comments about her. She dedicated the trophy to those who are subjected to unfair judgements and hate.

Chris Evert, the 18-time Grand Slam singles champion, has come to Swiatek’s defense, highlighting how social media has led to an increase in hateful comments.

Sometimes I wonder if people really understand what young athletes in the spotlight have to go through behind the scenes, meaning… Hateful comments, shameful comments, hurtful comments… This is what social media has opened up, and there is much more exposure to negative comments. Many would say it’s the price to pay, but it’s still…. awful.

Chris Evert wrote on X

Check out her post here:

Sometimes I wonder if people really understand what young athletes in the spotlight have to go through behind the scenes, meaning….hateful comments, shameful comments, hurtful comments… this is what social media has opened up, and there is much more exposure to negative…

— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) August 15, 2026

In Cincinnati, the six-time Grand Slam champion is the defending champion. She won the 11th WTA 1000 title of her career in the tournament last year by defeating Jasmine Paolini.

In the ongoing tournament, she defeated Emiliana Arango 6-3, 6-0 to kick off her campaign. She will next be facing Maria Sakkari, against whom she holds a 5-4 head-to-head edge. This will be the third time they will face each other this season, following the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open (Sakkari won) and the third round of the Indian Wells Open (Swiatek won).

Iga Swiatek admits she needed time to adjust to the court speed in Cincinnati

Court conditions differ from tournament to tournament, and players can do nothing but adjust to it. The differences have drawn criticism, even from the top players like Alexander Zverev, who blamed the conditions at the Canadian Open after his opening-round exit.

Iga Swiatek found out that the courts in Toronto were different than the ones in Cincinnati. At the press conference after her first-round win, Swiatek admitted that she needed some time to get used to the court and get into a good rhythm.

At the beginning, I felt I needed to get used to the court and the conditions, and get my rhythm. There were some shots that I mishit or played a little bit too long because the ball is flying differently than in Toronto. Later on, I played much more efficient, and game-by-game, I knew what to address to just make less mistakes and be more solid. By the end of the match, I felt really good.

If Swiatek beats Maria Sakkari, she will face Diane Parry or Lois Boisson in the fourth round. And if she reaches the quarterfinal, she could face Elena Rybakina or countrywoman Maja Chwalinska.

The ball is bouncing a bit higher in the air, and it acts a but different. There was some wind today that was different than Toronto. It was more humid, so physically, you feel much different. The ball kind of stays in the air longer, which makes it tricky sometimes if you’re not used to it.

Iga Swiatek added

Also, if Swiatek beats Sakkari, she will become the fifth active player to clinch 100-plus wins in hardcourt WTA 1000 events following Aryna Sabalenka, Karolina Pliskova, Elina Svitolina, and Serena Williams.

On the men’s side, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is not competing as he is recovering from a wrist injury that has kept him on the sidelines since the Barcelona Open. Last year’s runner-up Jannik Sinner is also not playing due to a knee injury.

Also read: Coco Gauff’s Ex-Coach Demands Tennis Rule Overhaul After Novak Djokovic’s Loss at Cincinnati