Tennis News: Did Iga Swiatek cheat in San Diego Open final against Donna Vekic?

It comes after her San Diego Open final encounter against Donna Vekic. There was one point wherein Swiatek, having run to the net to try and volley, waved her arms at Vekic just before the latter hit a shot. 

Vekic, it is worth noting, was unfazed and even went on to win the point in question. However, that did not stop the social media slamming faced by Swiatek in the aftermath. 

To make things worse, she even apologized for the gesture afterwards – but fans were unrelenting in their criticism of her. 

“This is the best prize/trophy ever! Thank you San Diego for an amazing (cloudy) week and this unique vibe. I love it here. And congrats @DonnaVekic for your amazing run! And sorry for waving my hands at the net,” she said on Twitter. 

But did she break the rules? The simple answer to that question is yes. 

In tennis, there’s no grey area for distracting an opponent. Any movement made by one player to distract the other is illegal. 

In Swiatek’s case, she was perhaps lucky that Vekic chose not to point it out to the chair umpire or one of the line umpires – or that the officials missed it entirely. 

Because if she was caught, she might have had to forfeit the point if found guilty of distracting – given that she apologized to her opponent for it. Swiatek has a long history of trying to distract players at the nets. 

Indeed, fans on social media quickly noted that she should apologize to others as well, given she’s pulled such a move before. 

Perhaps the worst part of this entire debate is that it distracts from what the good year 2022 has been for the Polish star. 

She won eight WTA titles in 2022, two of which have been WTA 500 tournaments and two Grand Slams – the French Open and the US Open. 

And there’s a chance she could add more titles to her trophy cabinet, given a few more events to will be played before the year closes. 

But there’s no doubt about her penchant for throwing distractions the way her opponents must go. Perhaps best summed up by legendary tennis star Pam Shriver. 

“Agree it was hindrance if the opponent was distracted by the unnecessary hindering move, but Donna did not see the move and was not bothered by it and won the point. Hopefully, this will be the last time Iga does this. She is WAY too good for this manoeuvre,” she said in reply to a fan on Twitter. 

Indeed, Swiatek is way too good to resort to such tactics, so it is a good idea to stop it.