Tennis Australian Open Australian Open Women's Singles -

Why Iga Swiatek was accused of 'hindrance' with an 'interesting tactic' at Australian Open in tense umpire exchange and VAR delay

React to this story

A bizarre set of circumstances unfolded in the first set of Iga Swiatek's 6-2 6-3 Australian Open second-round victory over Marie Bouzkova. The world No. 2 was called out for 'hindrance' by Bouzkova after a high, reactive volley with a generous amount of backspin bounced on the Czech's side of the court, before going back over the net onto Swiatek's side, causing chaos.

Watch controversial call as Swiatek accused of 'hindrance' in very strange incident

Video credit: TNT Sports

Iga Swiatek was accused of hindrance by Australian Open second-round opponent Marie Bouzkova after a bizarre set of circumstances saw a point end in chaotic fashion.

Swiatek ensured she would reach the third round in Melbourne after defeating Bouzkova in straight sets in an improved performance from her first-round display against Yue Yuan. But it was not without drama.

The strange incident occurred with Swiatek on serve, 4-2 up in the first set. After dropping a volley for Bouzkova to attack on her forehand, the No. 2 seed was on the back foot, and met the strike with a volley on her backhand side.

Australian Open

Why Alcaraz has ‘tennis world at his feet’ after 'outstanding' Australian Open triumph

01/02/2026 at 16:29

The ball soared up, and bounced just in Bouzkova's side of the court - and due to the amount of backspin applied, floated back over the net and into Swiatek's half.

Rules stipulate that providing the ball bounced on Bouzkova's side, she is entitled to reach over the net in order to make her shot.

However, the strange set of circumstances meant a decision for chair umpire Damien Dumusois was complicated tenfold.

Highlights: Clinical Swiatek overcomes Bouzkova to reach third round

Video credit: TNT Sports

Bouzkova perhaps did not realise just how far she would have to reach in order to meet the ball, resulting in her making contact with the net, and Swiatek - who had initially rushed forward in order to be equal to her opponent's strike - also had to be considered, as Bouzkova felt she was acting as a hindrance.

When confronted by Bouzkova, chair umpire Dumusois said: "[Swiatek has] just the racquet up. I was checking. For me, it’s not a hindrance.

"You can have a look if you want. [I'm] checking if her racquet is on the other side of the net."

Indeed, slow motion replays along the net line showed Swiatek initially rushing towards the net, before backing away, holding her racquet up - seemingly in hope of being equal to any effort her opponent might throw in her direction.

Meanwhile, the replays also clearly showed Bouzkova making contact with the net in her pursuit of reaching the ball.

Tennis rules stipulate that if a player touches the net while the ball is in play, they automatically lose the point.

"That’s an interesting tactic from Swiatek," commentator Peter Marcato said.

"The issue here is that Bouzkova touched the net. She’s right to be able to reach over the net, but as you can see, Swiatek nowhere near the net on the other side. Swiatek moved out of the way."

Observing how Swiatek acted to avoid causing hindrance, co-commentator Andrea Petkovic said: "She did well in raising her racquet up.

"We've seen before, she sort of waves. I think that would have been more of a hindrance.

Swiatek gives 'honest' assessment of victory as she reaches third round

Video credit: TNT Sports

"But she just charged the net, lifted her racquet up, and that could be interpreted as, 'well, in case Bouzkova does smash, I can just hold my racquet up and give myself a chance to win the point.'"

Petkovic added: "You can really see she just lifts up the racquet, trying to give herself a chance, then realises 'whoopsy daisy, I'm in the way.'"

After consulting the video review, Dumusois rejected Bouzkova's appeal - the Czech sporting a wide grin afterwards, perhaps an indication it was lodged more out of hope than expectation.

Swiatek will face Anna Kalinskaya in the third round, as she hopes to complete the career Grand Slam with a maiden Melbourne title.

Stream every match of the 2026 Australian Open live and on-demand on discovery+

Australian Open