Iga Swiatek explains hand-waving controversy with emotional statement – ‘Not proud’
Iga Swiatek, the world No. 1 tennis player, has explained her controversial hand-waving gesture that has drawn criticism from fans and some players.
Swiatek was accused of trying to distract her opponent, Donna Vekic, during the final of the San Diego Open in August 2022. In the second set of the match, Swiatek approached the net while Vekic was preparing to serve and waved her arms in the air. Vekic ended up winning the point, but some fans felt that Swiatek’s gesture was unsportsmanlike.
Swiatek has since apologized for the incident, saying that she did not mean to distract Vekic. She explained that the gesture is an involuntary reaction that she does when she is feeling stressed.
“I am not proud of the fact that sometimes I’m not in control of what I do on the court,” Swiatek said in an interview with Sport.pl. “I’m working on it, but it’s not easy. I hope it will never happen again.”
Swiatek’s explanation has been met with mixed reactions. Some fans have accepted her apology and believe that she is sincere in her regret. Others are still critical of her gesture, saying that it was a deliberate attempt to gain an unfair advantage.
Only time will tell if Swiatek can overcome her habit of hand-waving. However, her willingness to apologize for her actions and her commitment to working on the issue is a positive sign.
In addition to the apology, Swiatek has also taken steps to try to prevent the hand-waving from happening again. She has been working with a sports psychologist to help her manage her stress levels on the court. She has also been trying to focus on her breathing and staying calm during matches.
It is too early to say whether Swiatek will be able to completely eliminate the hand-waving gesture. However, her commitment to addressing the issue is a good sign. She is a young player with a bright future, and she is showing that she is willing to learn and grow.
