(Video) Iga Swiatek generates controversy by rudely smashing the ball back to the ball kid during Indian Wells’ defeat

Iga Swiatek has gone deep into every tournament she has participated in 2025, but is yet win a title this year.

(Video) Iga Swiatek generates controversy by rudely smashing the ball back to the ball kid during Indian Wells’ defeat

Iga Swiatek (via WTA Screengrab X)

Iga Swiatek‘s wait for her first WTA title of the season continues after a semifinal loss to young Russian Mirra Andreeva at Indian Wells. The defending champion fell 7-6 (1), 1-6, 6-3, extending her title drought since last year’s Roland Garros.

Swiatek’s inconsistent performance seemed to frustrate her, leading to a moment in the third set where she hit a ball directly toward a ball kid. The incident drew loud boos from the Indian Wells crowd as the Polish star appeared unsettled.

YouTube video

Recently, Swiatek has been involved in several controversies, particularly during defeats. In the Australian Open semifinals against Madison Keys, she was criticized for not being in position to return the American’s serve.

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Swiatek has now lost five consecutive semifinals since Roland Garros. With Aryna Sabalenka defeating Keys in the other semifinal, the gap between Swiatek and the World No. 1 ranking has widened.

Iga Swiatek received warning from the umpire

World No. 2 Iga Swiatek appeared frustrated with her surroundings during the tough three-set loss to Mirra Andreeva in the Indian Wells semifinals. Due to her outburst, she received a warning from the chair umpire.

Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek (Image via WTA/X)

I am watching. I saw you holding your racket.

Chair Umpire’s response to Iga Swiatek

Swiatek immediately approached the umpire to voice her concerns. She claimed that the ball kids were moving too often when she was preparing to receive Andreeva’s serve.

The situation seemed to affect Swiatek, while Andreeva remained focused and in control. The young Russian broke for a 4-1 lead and eventually closed out the match.

Andreeva will now face Aryna Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final. Sabalenka dominated Madison Keys in their semifinal, losing just one game. This will be a rematch of their thrilling Australian Open final earlier this year.

Mira Andreeva has Iga Swiatek’s number

Mirra Andreeva and Iga Swiatek faced off in the first semifinal of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Andreeva, the No. 9 seed and recent Dubai champion, had won 10 matches in a row. Swiatek, a two-time champion at the event, had also won her last 10 matches at Indian Wells.

Mirra Andreeva
Mirra Andreeva (via WTA/X)

After a tough battle lasting 2 hours and 17 minutes, the 17-year-old Andreeva came out on top. She defeated the World No. 2 in three sets. This win secured her place in a second straight WTA 1000 final.

Andreeva had also beaten Swiatek last month in the Dubai quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-3 scoreline. Her strong performances against top players show her confidence and hunger for big wins. She will now look forward to facing Aryna Sabalenka in the final.

With this victory, Andreeva now leads her head-to-head record against Swiatek 2-1. The Roland Garros champion’s only win over the young Russian came in Cincinnati in 2024. That match was a hard-fought quarterfinal, where the Polish star won in three sets.