Iga Swiatek in awkward exchange with journalist after US Open quarter-final defeat against Amanda Anisimova - 'Why would you say that?'
By Jonny Bray
Published 04/09/2025 at 09:09 GMT+1
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Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek challenged a journalist after her US Open defeat against Amanda Anisimova. The world No. 2 rejected the suggestion that she needed a "mental break" after the straight-sets loss at Flushing Meadows. The Polish star beat Anisimova with ease in the final of Wimbledon 2025 just two months ago, but her rival impressed this time around.
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Iga Swiatek hit back at the suggestion that she needs a "mental break" following her 6-4 6-3 defeat against Amanda Anisimova in the quarter-finals of the 2025 US Open.
The world No. 2 beat the 24-year-old American 6-0 6-0 in a one-sided Wimbledon final just two months ago, but she fell to a straight-sets loss this time around.
The Polish star has had a busy summer, claiming the sixth Grand Slam of her career in SW19 before reaching the round of 16 of the Canadian Open.
She followed that up by winning the Cincinnati Open, but Swiatek rejected the suggestion that a busy schedule had got the better of her.
"Why would you say that?" she responded after being asked if she needed a break following a busy few months.
The interviewer said that they were just reflecting on her hectic schedule. However, Swiatek suggested that it was the interviewer who needed a rest.
"Well, talk to people responsible for the schedule," she said. "Do you need a mental break? You look like you need a mental break."
The interviewer responded that they did, but added they needed to get to the end of the tournament. Swiatek bid them "good luck" in that pursuit.
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Swiatek produced three double faults as she missed out on a place in the semi-finals.
The four-time French Open champion was hoping to triumph at the US Open for the second time in her career, with her previous victory coming in 2022.
Swiatek insists that the defeat against Anisimova does not take away from a successful second-half of the season.
"I know what I achieved, so I can't, like, erase it because I lost today," she said. "Yeah, I'm aware... I couldn't win today's match playing like that, serving like that, and with Amanda being so aggressive on the returns.
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"So I kind of get it. I think the serve is what made the difference.
"She was winning more points from her serve, and I struggled a bit to sometimes make the first serve in, and she returned the ball from the second serve. So I guess that made a difference."
Anisimova will now face Naomi Osaka in a mouth-watering semi-final on Friday. Swiatek was full of praise for her opponent, insisting that she can play some great tennis on her day.
"Well, it didn't really matter for me," she added. "I think everybody knows how Amanda can play.
"Yeah, she didn't play well in Wimbledon, but it's not like she's always going to make the same mistakes or feel the same.
"I know that she's a good player. She can play great tennis, so for me, I was ready for a tough match. Yeah, she won, so I guess, yeah, [the manner of the Wimbledon loss] didn't matter."
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