Iga Swiatek was looking to advance to her first Australian Open final with a win over Madison Keys.
The Polish star had made her way into the last four in Melbourne with a convincing win, as Swiatek beat Emma Navarro, 6-1, 6-2, in the quarter-finals.
Up next was a tough test against America’s Keys, who had taken down Elina Svitolina in three sets to book her place in the Australian Open semis for the third time in her career.
The players entered the court knowing that world number one Aryna Sabalenka would await them in a potential final after she took down Spain’s Paula Badosa in the earlier semi-final.
After the pair exchanged early breaks in the first set, it was Swiatek who took the initiative, grabbing the first set 7-5, putting her on the brink of the final.
Keys went into another gear in the second, however, and turned the tide in a big way as she dropped just one game on her way to tying things up.
It was after the second set that the WTA number two did something that had the tennis world criticizing her once more.
Tennis fans slam ‘disrespectful’ Iga Swiatek for leaving the court during defeat to Madison Keys
After dropping the second set to Keys, Swiatek left the court for an extended period of time, something that several fans took issue with.
Some fans took to X to share their frustrations with the five-time Major champion.
“I see Iga Swiatek’s tactics,” said one fan.
“Delay things on purpose to disturb the other player.”
“[Iga] Swiatek adopting her usual tactics when being outplayed,” added another.
Several tennis fans took things a step further, suggesting that they ‘can’t stand’ Swiatek.
“I really don’t like Swiatek,” said a fan on X.
“She does this too often.
“The best players in the world shouldn’t have to resort to these delaying tactics.”
Another fan was in agreement, slamming the Pole for her ‘tactics’.
“Cannot stand Iga Swiatek at all,” they said.
“Her tactics when things aren’t going her way need to be called out.
“Hope [Madison] Keys goes on and wins this third set.”
Some fans argued that Swiatek took advantage of the ‘toilet break’, and spent too long getting ready for the deciding set.
“Iga is so annoying, takes so long to come from the toilet and still practices shadow swings when Keys has been waiting for her,” they said.
“Iga is just disrespectful,” added another.
“Swiatek taking a long time now to disrupt Keys’ momentum of course, classic,” said one fan.
“So transparent.”
Swiatek battled back in the third set before Keys won a thrilling deciding set tiebreak to book her place in the Australian Open final against Sabalenka.
Has Iga Swiatek been criticized in 2025 before?
The very best in the world often find themselves involved in controversy, and Swiatek has certainly had her fair share of it during the early weeks of 2025.
Swiatek was criticized for taking a medical time-out during her win over Katie Boulter at the 2025 United Cup.
The 23-year-old trailed by a break in the deciding set when she took a medical time-out that caused a huge swing in momentum.
Swiatek then won the next eight points eventually winning the match, 6-7, 6-1, 6-4, to help Poland advance to the last four of the United Cup.
The Pole said that the momentum shift was ‘unintentional’, but fans were less than convinced, suggesting that Swiatek only takes medical time-outs when she is ‘behind’.
Not able to stay out of the headlines, Swiatek has already been involved in controversy at this year’s first Grand Slam tournament.
During her quarter-final win over Navarro, Swiatek won a controversial point, where the ball bounced twice before the Pole retrieved a drop shot.
While much of the discussion about the incident centered around the implementation of a different rule, some did criticize Swiatek for not ‘conceding’ the point.
“Yet again another example, Iga Swiatek is a cheat,” one fan said.
“She should have owned up, it was a clear double bounce.”
The three incidents are up for debate, and suggestions of ‘cheating’ and ‘tactical’ play are perhaps unfair to the 23-year-old star.
Only time will tell if she finds herself involved in controversy again after suffering a heart-breaking defeat in Melbourne.
Keys will now take on Sabalenka for the Australian Open title on Saturday, January 25.
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