"Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz, many did the same"- Fans lash out at tennis journalist for calling out Iga Swiatek's off-court break during US Open loss

Iga Swiatek's off-court break after going a set down during her quarterfinal against Jessica Pegula was highlighted by tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg, who felt the situation needed to be addressed. However, his comments didn't sit well with fans who lashed out at the journalist as they felt he was targeting the Pole.

The World No. 1's campaign at Flushing Meadows was ended by sixth seed and home favorite Jessica Pegula (6-2, 6-4) in an hour and 28 minutes. The American made it to the final four of a Major for the first time in her career.

Swiatek has often come under the radar of many in the tennis fraternity for taking off-court breaks after going a set down. She did the same against Pegula and Rothenberg took to X to call out the break and said that the issue needed to be addressed.

"This is another longgggg break off-court by Swiatek after a short set she lost. Feels like addressing this in the rules is overdue. #USOpen," Rothenberg tweeted.

Fans did not take Rothenberg's criticism of Iga Swiatek in a good light. One fan said how the journalist never called out Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz, or other players and only the Pole.

"Coco, Alcaraz, and many others did the same but I don't see any comments from fraud journo like you," the fan commented.

Another fan questioned Rothenberg why he didn't say anything when Gauff took a toilet break and called his criticism of the World No. 1 annoying.

Where were you, when Coco Gauff went for the toilet break? Always talking about this, when Iga does it. It's so annoying," the fan questioned.

Here are some other reactions from fans defending the 23-year-old.

"Loo break is allowed I don't know what problem do u have in this There is nowhere she extended more than the time limit ever #USOpen," a fan said.

"Did she go over time? Do you say the same when other players take toilet breaks? Maybe you should, because they do that big time!" a fan mentioned.

"This is another hypocritical comment from an American pundit. Fells like addressing the double standard is loooong overdue," a fan mocked.

Here are some other reactions highlighting Swiatek's break was within the allotted time.

"When Iga does it, it’s a problem. When other players do, it’s tactics. The hate for her is real," a fan claimed.

"She was on time! She got back even before the umpire said ‘time’. Or we’re not gonna talk about that because it’s Iga???" another fan questioned.

"Address what? 🙄 The break was within the allowed time," a fan mentioned.

Ben Rothenberg clarifies why he specifically targeted the Pole

In a couple of his other tweets, Ben Rothenberg clarified why he specifically called Iga Swiatek out. He felt the Pole did it on purpose in order to change the momentum of the game, and though it was within the rules, he didn't feel it was right.

The issue with Swiatek in this is that she disproportionately does it after sets lost, and so it’s transparently a way to change the momentum more than the clothing. Again, currently within the rules, but I’m not sure it should be. Pegula, unbothered, up 6-2, *2-1. #USOpen," Rothenberg clarified.

Rothenberg added that though Swiatek wasn't the only one taking advantage of this rule, she was being the most obvious about it.

"People yell whenever you say something even vaguely critical of a player on the bird app, it’s fine. Swiatek isn’t the only offender in this pattern, she’s one of the most obvious about it," he mentioned.

Iga Swiatek has also been called out by former players such as Lindsay Davenport and CoCo Vandeweghe, however, fans have continued to defend the Pole.