"Iga Swiatek is a cheater";"Not her fault the umpire is blind" - Fans divided as Emma Navarro 'robbed' by double bounce controversy at Australian Open

Iga Swiatek and Emma Navarro's highly anticipated quarterfinal clash at the 2025 Australian Open took a contentious turn when the American was wronged by a missed double bounce call. Tennis fans were up in arms over the controversy, with many blaming Swiatek for not taking responsibility for her error, while others leaped to the Pole's defense.

Swiatek made a dominant start to the blockbuster quarterfinal encounter at the Melbourne Slam, clinching the opening set 6-1. At 2-2 in the second set, the duo engaged in an intense rally, which ended with the Pole winning a crucial point and sealing the game.

However, Navarro argued that Swiatek had hit a return on a double bounce, which went unnoticed by the chair umpire. Although replays confirmed the American's observation, she was unable to call for a review of the double bounce since she hadn't stopped play upon spotting the error.

Iga Swiatek then went on to win three games in a row to claim a 6-1, 6-2 victory in just 89 minutes, advancing to the semifinals of the Australian Open.

With Iga Swiatek frequently coming under fire for her perceived "gamesmanship tactics," fans were quick to accuse the 23-year-old of "cheating" intentionally and contended that she should've admitted to losing the point.

"She’s a cheater through and through," one fan posted.

"Iga Swiatek is horrible for the integrity of the sport," another fan chimed in.

"She should’ve said that she didn’t get that ball especially when Emma asked for it to be reviewed. It’s ridiculous. Iga knows she didn’t get that shot. Disgraceful," a fan remarked.

"Yet again another example, Iga Swiatek is a cheat. She should have owned up, it was a clear double bounce," said another.

However, others jumped to Swiatek's defense, with many arguing that the World No. 2 should not be held responsible for the umpire's error.

"But It's not her fault that the umpire is blind lmao," a fan wrote.

"So the umpire’s mistakes are also her fault now? y’all just hating on her for anything," another fan argued.

"I totally agree but why do people say it's iga's fault? her job is to focus on the play, not double bounces clear umpire's fault," one fan contended.

Fans also voiced frustration with the "nonsense" rule that required Emma Navarro to stop play for the double bounce call to be reviewed instead of the technology automatically catching the error.

"I'm not even an Emma Navarro fan or anything but it's ridiculous that they can't go back and review the clear double-bounce on Świątek's shot. Robbed Navarro of a huge potential break opportunity," a fan posted.

"INSANE ruling lmao tf you want her to do stop running full sprint to net and alert the chair? All this technology and that’s what we’re asking her to do lmao," one fan commented.

"It’s in the middle of a play! Expecting players to stop in the middle of a play to ensure umpires and technology get the correct call is absolute nonsense," another fan chimed in.

Iga Swiatek to take on Madison Keys in Australian Open SF after win over Emma Navarro

Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys - Source: Getty

Following her win over Emma Navarro, Iga Swiatek will battle it out against Madison Keys in the semifinals of the 2025 Australian Open. Keys claimed a stellar 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 comeback win over Elina Svitolina to book her place against the Pole.

Swiatek enjoys a 4-1 lead in her head-to-head record against the American, including a 6-1, 6-3 victory in their most recent encounter in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Italian Open. However, Keys emerged victorious in their latest hardcourt meeting, beating the five-time Grand Slam champion 6-3, 6-4 at the 2022 Cincinnati Open.

If Iga Swiatek triumphs over Madison Keys to advance to her maiden Australian Open final, she will face the winner of the match between Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka in a blockbuster title clash.