Iga Swiatek’s Press Conference at the 2025 US Open
Iga Swiatek faced a challenging moment during her press conference at the 2025 US Open when a Polish journalist posed an unexpected and personal question. Elite tennis players, like Swiatek, not only engage in the sport but also balance their commitments to media interactions and sponsor events while maintaining relationships with their fan base. Typically, press interactions should be professional and respectful, a standard that unfortunately was not upheld during this exchange in New York.
Unexpected Questions
During these press sessions, players often answer questions in English before addressing the media representatives from their home nations in their native language. This format is generally more comfortable, as players usually share rapport with local journalists. However, the atmosphere turned awkward for Swiatek when a Polish reporter inquired about her choice of hairstyle, specifically asking if she had thought about adding beads to her hair.
“What is that question? Excuse me? If I considered weaving beads into my hair? No! What’s going on? What is that question?”
The incident was compounded by earlier questions about racial inequality within tennis that had left her visibly unsettled. A member of the media had queried Swiatek on perceived double standards faced by African-American players in comparison to others, referencing a recent altercation between Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend. Swiatek expressed her hesitance to comment on the situation without context, stating:
“That’s a pretty complicated question. I can’t speak about every sport, because I don’t have enough knowledge… I’m probably going to catch up on that today. But you can’t really change from the behavior of one person.”
Maintaining Focus
As the press conference proceeded, the moderator indicated it was time for the last question, yet the reporter persisted with follow-up inquiries. Swiatek declined to elaborate further, emphasizing her position within the sport and her young age, suggesting that more experienced voices should handle such discussions.
“I can’t speak for the whole sports world. I’m a tennis player. I’m 24. You have to ask someone experienced,”
she concluded, attempting to maintain her focus on tennis rather than delve into complex societal issues.
