Iga Swiatek Criticizes Umpire Decision After French Open Loss to Aryna Sabalenka
Iga Swiatek, the three-time defending champion of the French Open, expressed her frustration with the umpire following her unexpected defeat by Aryna Sabalenka. Swiatek lost the match with scores of 7-6, 4-6, 6-0, marking the end of her impressive reign at this prestigious tournament.
The Polish tennis star confronted umpire Kader Nouni during the second set, requesting him to check a mark on the court after she believed Sabalenka’s serve was out. However, Nouni remained in his seat, and technology confirmed that the serve had, in fact, landed out. After the match, Swiatek voiced her dissatisfaction, stating, “I don’t think that was fair. He came down to check every mark when Aryna asked, even when the calls were obvious.”
Swiatek continued, explaining her perspective on the situation: “When I wanted him to check a mark that was out, he insisted that I only approached because I thought my return was out. I knew from the start that the serve would be out. I didn’t even focus on the ball; I just wanted to verify the mark, and it was clear that it was out. I expected him to come down, but he didn’t. It felt unjust, especially since he was quick to respond to Aryna’s requests.”
Swiatek’s comments highlight the importance of fair officiating in professional tennis and the impact it can have on players during high-stakes matches. As she reflects on this challenging experience, fans are left to wonder how it will shape her approach in future competitions.
