"I don't need that fakeness" - Danielle Collins throws major shade at Iga Swiatek for 'insincerity' in their heated Paris Olympics QF battle

Danielle Collins gave details about the heated exchange she shared with Iga Swiatek in their quarterfinal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The American retired from the match during the deciding set.

The quarterfinal wasn't devoid of drama. Swiatek comfortably took the first set. Collins, however, bounced back in the second to level the match. The quarterfinal went into a decider that ended on a sour note. During the final set, a backhand by the Collins hit Swiatek in the chest, leaving her in pain.

The dramatic match came to an unfortunate finish as Collins had to retire from the QF due to an abdominal injury at 1-6, 6-2, 1-4. After the match, the World No. 9 said some words to Swiatek that seemed to shock her.

Collins later revealed what she said to the five-time Major champion during the exchange. The American said she thought Swiatek was insincere about her chest injury due to the backhand. She then said some people have different personalities on and off the camera. Collins said she accepted people for who they were and didn't need any sort of fakeness.

Tennis journalist Christopher Clarey posted on X (formerly Twitter)

“I told Iga she didn’t have to be insincere about, you know, my injury. There’s a lot that happens on camera, and there are a lot of people with a ton of charisma and come out and are one way on camera and another way in the locker room. And I just haven’t had the best experience, and I don’t really feel like anybody needs to be insincere. They can be the way that they are. I can accept that, and I don’t need that fakeness.”

Danielle Collins will continue her Paris Olympics campaign in doubles, Iga Swiatek will face Zheng Qinwen in the SF

Danielle Collins had a few fiery remarks after the quarterfinal (IMAGE: GETTY)

Though her run in singles may have ended, Danielle Collins will continue her Paris Olympics campaign in doubles alongside Desirae Krawczyk.

The fourth-seeded duo kicked off their run with a 6-1, 6-3 win against Greece's Maria Sakkari and Despina Papamichail. They will face Ukraine's Kichinok sisters, Nadiia and Lyudmyla, next.

Top seed Iga Swiatek, meanwhile, will continue her run in the singles events. She defeated Irina Begu, Diane Parry, and Xiyu Wang in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals. After Collins' retirement, the Pole will meet China's Zheng Qinwen in the semifinals. Qinwen defeated Angelique Kerber in her quarterfinals. Swiatek has an overwhelming head-to-head of 6-0 against Qinwen.