"I thought this is the umpire's job" - Iga Swiatek reveals what she thinks of her and Emma Navarro's controversy at Australian Open

While Iga Swiatek comfortably cruised past Emma Navarro in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Australian Open, a major talking point came to the fore after the Pole returned a double bounce ball. However, the World No.2 shared that as she was unsure if the ball had bounced twice, she continued to play.

The controversy happened during the second set when Swiatek was serving at 2-2. While the replays clearly showed that the ball had bounced twice, the chair umpire or Navarro didn't stop the game. During the post-match conference, Swiatek said:

"Honestly, I didn't see the replay after this point because after the point I didn't look up for the screens because I wanted to stay focused and didn't want this point to stay in my head for longer period of time. I wasn't sure if it was a double bounce or I hit it with my frame. It was hard to say because, like, I was full sprinting. I don't remember, like, even seeing the contact point."

Swiatek added it was the job of the chair umpire to spot the error. While she did wait for VAR, the five-time Grand Slam champion said she continued with her game after Navarro was denied one.

"So I wasn't sure. 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," Iga Swiatek added

Swiatek went on to win the game before the American player rushed to the chair umpire to enquire about the error. However, Navarro's request was turned down as the point was already played, with rules stating that a player needs to immediately stop the play when asking for a review.

Swiatek, who is yet to win the Australian Open, will take on Madison Keys in the semifinals on Thursday, January 23.

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Emma Navarro shares her take on whether Iga Swiatek is to be blamed for the double bounce controversy

2025 Australian Open - Iga Swiatek and Emma Navarro shake hands - Source: Getty

While Iga Swiatek was at her relentless best in the quarterfinal match against Emma Navarro, dropping just three games, the double-bounce might have changed the fortunes of the American. However, the 23-year-old didn't blame Swiatek and voiced Pole's opinion that the umpire should have called it.

"Like I said, it happened so fast. 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," she said

Navarro would nonetheless be proud of her campaign at Melbourne Park, having reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open for the first time in her career. She registered impressive wins over ninth-seed Daria Kasatkina and former World No.2 Ons Jabeur.