The tennis world has been turned upside down after former world number one Iga Świątek was involved in a series of incidents that led to a severe disciplinary action from the CEO of the Miami Open. What started as a frustrating semi-final defeat at Indian Wells to Filipino talent Alexandra Eala ended in a complete nightmare for the Polish tennis star.

According to eyewitnesses, the situation started to get out of hand shortly after the last point of the match. Świątek, visibly upset about her play and the loss to 19-year-old Eala, hit a ball away in anger — a ball that unfortunately hit a ball boy in the face. The incident was immediately caught on camera and caused outrage among spectators and commentators.

What made matters worse was Świątek’s reaction when the umpire confronted her about the incident. Instead of apologizing, she allegedly verbally abused the referee, accusing him of bias and openly questioning his decisions during the match. The behavior was described as “unprofessional and inappropriate” by tournament organizers.

The CEO of the Miami Open, which followed Indian Wells immediately after, responded swiftly and sternly. In an official statement, he said: “Ms. Świątek’s behavior was unacceptable and contrary to the values ​​of sportsmanship and respect that we uphold as a tournament. Therefore, her participation in the Miami Open will be suspended, accompanied by a fine and mandatory participation in a sports ethics program.”

Świątek’s fans are shocked. Some question whether the punishment is too harsh, as hitting a ball out of frustration is not uncommon on the circuit. Others point out that her behavior escalated in a way that is not befitting a multiple Grand Slam champion.

The defeat against Alexandra Eala itself was surprising enough. The young Filipina played a very strong match and defeated Świątek convincingly. For Eala it is a historic victory, while for Świątek it is a painful defeat that is overshadowed by her actions afterwards.

Whether Świątek will publicly apologize is still unclear at the time of writing. One thing is certain: the incident has not only damaged her image, but also sparked a deep debate about behavior, responsibility and the pressure that comes with top-level sport.