"Didn't expect this from Emma Navarro" - Fans react to American avoiding 'drama' with Iga Swiatek after Australian Open controversy

Emma Navarro responded maturely when asked if she blamed Iga Swiatek for the controversial double bounce call during the pair's quarterfinal clash at the 2025 Australian Open. The response from the American, who has not been shy of stirring controversy in the past, surprised most tennis fans.

On Wednesday, January 22, Swiatek registered a comprehensive 6-1, 6-2 win over Navarro to reach the Australian Open semifinals. However, towards the end of the one-sided match, the Pole desperately ran towards the net, attempting to return a drop shot from the American.

Iga Swiatek didn't get there in time, with the ball bouncing twice before her racket made contact with it. Bizarrely, chair umpire Eva Asderaki didn't call the double bounce, and play continued. Not long after, the World No. 2 won the point, leaving Emma Navarro perplexed. The American couldn't also ask for a video review, as she did not stop the point before and kept playing.

There was further controversy as Swiatek claimed she wasn't aware whether it was a double bounce, and didn't concede the point, leaving the decision up to the chair umpire. In her post-match press conference, Navarro refused to criticize the Pole and instead urged the rules to be changed.

"I don't know if she knew or not. Yeah, ultimately, it's up to the ref to make the call. It is what it is, I guess. It's tough to place blame on anybody. It's a tough call. I think the rules should be different that I think we, for sure, should be able to look at it afterwards and decide," Emma Navarro said.

Many tennis fans on X lauded Emma Navarro for not going after Iga Swiatek in her post-match press conference. One also urged fans critical of the Pole to reconsider their takes on the controversy.

"Didn't expect this from Navarro, was kinda expecting more drama from her tbh," a fan wrote.

"Surprisingly drama-free answer. Which makes her comments to Qinwen last year much harder to understand," commented another, referring to Navarro's feud with Zheng Qinwen following their 2024 Paris Olympics clash.

"If SHE (Navarro) does not blame her (Swiatek) then how any of yall can lol, it's like you want a villain so bad even if its the nicest person you could probably meet, only because she does not meet your fav player criteria," another chimed in.

Here are some more reactions on the subject from fans on X.

"Haters must be disappointed with her answer. But it's the umpire's job to make such close calls," opined one fan.

"It was a complete non issue in the match. Iga had Ad and was going to hold anyway. Much to do about nothing," added another.

"A great display of fairness and sportsmanship," yet another fan weighed in.

Iga Swiatek made her feelings known on the double bounce fiasco during the Australian Open QF against Emma Navarro

Iga Swiatek (Source: Getty)

Iga Swiatek claimed in her post-match press conference that she wasn't sure about the double bounce. The Pole also insisted that in such cases, it's up to the chair umpire to make a decision.

"I thought this is like the umpire's kind of job to call it, you know. I was also waiting for the VAR, but I didn't see it, so I just kind of proceed. I already focused on the next one," Swiatek said.

Emma Navarro's exit from the 2025 Australian Open leaves Madison Keys as the only American remaining in the women's singles draw. Keys will face Swiatek in the semifinals on Thursday, January 23.