Emma Navarro makes position clear on Iga Swiatek double bounce controversy at Australian Open

Emma Navarro has addressed the controversy that ensued during her match against Iga Swiatek at the 2025 Australian Open. The latter was awarded a point despite a double bounce after a contentious decision by the chair umpire.

Navarro locked horns with Swiatek in the quarterfinals of the Melbourne Major on Wednesday, January 22. The Pole eased past the American with a promising 6-1, 6-2 scoreline after one hour and 31 minutes of play.

At a crucial point in the second set, there was a moment of controversy. Iga Swiatek was serving to hold at advantage point (2-2) when she failed to reach a sliced dropshot executed by Emma Navarro. The umpire didn't notice the error and granted the point and thus the game to the former World No. 1. Unbeknownst to the players, the video replay showed that the ball had indeed bounced twice before Swiatek’s racket made contact.

Navarro addressed the contentious call in her press conference, noting that she was declined the VAR, having already played the next shot.

"I didn't stop playing. I played the next shot, so I couldn't see a replay," she conveyed.

"I asked her (the chair umpire) after the point if I could see a replay, and she said, I played it, so I couldn't see it."

Emma Navarro was of the opinion that players should be allowed to watch the replay whether or not they continue the rally.

"I think it should be allowed to see after the point even if you play. It happened so fast. You hit the shot, and she hits it back, and you're just, like, ‘Oh, I guess I'm playing,’" she said.

"Yeah, it's tough. I think we should be able to see it afterwards and make that call."

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Emma Navarro refuses to blame Iga Swiatek for Australian Open controversy

Navarro (L) pictured with Iga Swiatek at the 2025 Australian Open - Image Source: Getty

Emma Navarro, however, maintained that Iga Swiatek was not to blame for not noticing her own error during the Australian Open rally. The American indicated that it was the chair umpire’s duty to make the correct call.

"I don't know if she knew or not," Navarro said in the aforementioned press conference. "Ultimately, it's up to the ref to make the call. If she didn’t see it then it is what it is, I guess. It's tough to place blame on anybody."

Emma Navarro reiterated that players should have the VAR option available after the rally concludes.

"It's a tough call. I think the rules should be different. I think, for sure, we should be able to look at it afterwards and decide," she said.

The 23-year-old, who reached the US Open semifinals in 2024, was contesting her first-ever Australian Open quarterfinal at the event. She beat the likes of Peyton Stearns, Wang Xiyu, Ons Jabeur, and Daria Kasatkina before being knocked out by Iga Swiatek.

Meanwhile, Swiatek has reached her second Australian Open semifinal (after 2022) following the victory. En route, she beat Katerina Siniakova, Rebecca Sramkova, Emma Raducanu, and Eva Lys. The Pole faces Madison Keys on Thursday, January 23, for a place in her first Melbourne final.