World No. 2 Iga Swiatek said she was not proud of the way she vented her frustration at Indian Wells, where she nearly hit a ball boy after smashing a ball into the ground, but added that she did not expect to receive ¡°such harsh judgments.¡±
The five-times Grand Slam champion was criticized heavily over the incident, which occurred during her 7-6(1), 1-6, 6-3 semi-final defeat by eventual champion Mirra Andreeva on Friday.
¡°It¡¯s true ¡ª I expressed frustration in a way I¡¯m not proud of. My intention was never to aim the ball at anyone but merely to release my frustration by bouncing it on the ground,¡± Swiatek posted on Instagram on Monday.
¡°I immediately apologized to the ball boy, we made eye contact, and nodded to each other when I expressed regret that it happened near him.
¡°I¡¯ve seen many players bounce balls in frustration, and frankly, I didn¡¯t expect such harsh judgments.¡±
Swiatek added that the second half of last year was extremely challenging for her. She accepted a one-month suspension in November having tested positive for banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ).
¡°When I¡¯m highly focused and don¡¯t show many emotions on court, I¡¯m called a robot, my attitude labelled as inhuman. Now that I¡¯m more expressive, showing feelings or struggling internally, I¡¯m suddenly labeled immature or hysterical,¡± Swiatek said.
¡°That¡¯s not a healthy standard ¡ª especially considering that just six months ago, I felt my career was hanging by a thread, spent three weeks crying daily, and didn¡¯t want to step on the court.¡±
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