Iga Swiatek’s ‘dirty’ tactic causes Australian Open furore

A tennis frenzy has erupted after a star’s “unsporting” act during a semi-final to remember at the Australian Open.

Iga Swiatek has once again drawn the ire of the tennis world after an apparent “dirty” act during her thrilling semi-final defeat at the hands of Madison Keys on Thursday night.

The No. 2 seed served for the match in the third set and had match point, but the American produced a plot twist for the ages when she triumphed 5-7 6-1 7-6 (10-8).

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Keys is through to her second grand slam final — eight years since her first slam final — but all the talk has been about Swiatek’s tactics.

The Polish star has been widely criticised around the world for a blatant time-wasting tactic after she coughed up the second set so easily.

Keys was clearly irritated before the start of the third set as Swiatek exceeded the time allowed for a bathroom break and tapped her wrist to mimic a watch check as she talked to the chair umpire.

Swiatek then returned to the court and bizarrely practised her forehand swings like she was hitting at shadows while Keys had stepped up to the baseline, ready to serve.

The umpire had also called time well in advance before Swiatek suffered what tennis fans have called a “computer game character glitch”.

After waiting an annoying amount of time, Keys then pulled up from her service action again as Swiatek held up her racquet before play was finally allowed to continue.

With Swiatek having a long track record of questionable tactics, the tennis world has been scathing in its assessment of the former wold No. 1.

You can watch the full incident in the video player above.

Iga Swiatek is not winning many more fans. Photo: STAN Sport.

Iga Swiatek held her racquet up to halt Madison Keys. Photo: STAN Sport.

The five-time grand slam champ was called out on the spot by a commentator on Eurosport.

“Time has been called but Iga is not ready yet,” she said as the crowd began a Bronx cheer while waiting for Swiatek.

“Right, come on, let’s go. Quite some look from Keys. She’s not happy.”

Keys then fired an ace straight down the “T” with the crowd very much in her corner.

Outspoken tennis commentator Pavvy G on X also called out Swiatek’s “unsporting” act.

“This is what Swiatek was doing after the umpire had called time and Keys was ready to serve. Madison understandably was not impressed,” he posted.

“Has there ever been a worst sportsmanship player than Iga Swiatek?”

One fan posted: “Genuinely such an unlikeable personality and such an attitude problem. I think Madison Keys just got a whole load of new fans today.”

Another fan wrote: “Again, yet again. Not one match without trying something underhanded. Sorry, Iga Swiatek, this is embarrassing.”

Keys was also less than impressed, but held back in her post-match interview.

“I was just asking how much time she had left because it wasn’t up on the board,” Keys said of her watch check gesture.

“I think the rules are fine. The clock ran out on my change, but not hers, so I was just asking.”

Madison Keys was in tears after her triumph. Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP.

The 29-year-old didn’t seem too fussed, given she has bigger fish to fry as she prepared for a blockbuster final against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday night.

The 19th seed broke down in tears after finally getting over the line in 2hr 35min.

Swiatek’s wait goes on for a first Melbourne crown.

Her miserable night was summed up by one brutal question from a journalist in her post-match press conference.

She was asked: “How much does it hurt inside to miss the match point, miss the first final here, and miss the chance to become No. 1 again?”

She responded: “You have to experience that to know.”

Swiatek did at least congratulate her opponent.

Iga Swiatek. Picture: Mark Stewart.

“I guess at the end Madison was kind of brave with her decisions and she pushed me when she needed to,” said the 23-year-old Pole.

“I would say I wasn’t feeling as free as on previous matches to also push in the important moments.”

Swiatek had been imperious in reaching the last four, not dropping a set, but found a different beast in a hard-hitting opponent with an aggressive approach.

“I think I played good, but she played better,” said Swiatek, who let slip a match point at 6-5 in the deciding set.

“I think if I keep working hard, I’ll have more chances in the future, and maybe I’ll use them as I didn’t use my match point today.”

She added: “Madison also really did the work as she should. She totally deserves to be in the final.”

Swiatek had been aiming to retake the No. 1 ranking from rival Sabalenka, but like her title hopes, that went up in smoke for now.

It was the first time an Australian Open semi-final had been decided by a third-set 10-point tie-break — and Keys had to come back from 7-5 down, continuing to shoot from the hip with aggressive winners while Swiatek went the other way.

Keys will need that firepower when she faces Sabalenka.

Keys and Sabalenka have met five times previously, with the powerful Belarusian winning four of them.

Most recently they faced off in Beijing in October in the last 16 with Sabalenka winning 6-4 6-3.

— with AFP

Originally published as Iga Swiatek’s ‘dirty’ tactic causes Australian Open furore