Iga Swiatek gets honest about real reason behind her medical timeout during United Cup final loss to Coco Gauff

Iga Swiatek has revealed the reason behind her medical timeout during a pivotal moment of her clash with Coco Gauff at the 2025 United Cup. The duo's blockbuster showdown was the opening match for Team USA and Poland's title clash at the prestigious event in Sydney.

Swiatek entered the much-awaited meeting with an 11-2 advantage in their head-to-head record. However, Gauff delivered a commanding performance to clinch the opening set 6-4. The American then held a 5-4 lead in the deciding set when Swiatek took a medical timeout before serving to stay in the contest.

Despite the interruption in play, Coco Gauff maintained her momentum and secured a crucial break of serve, claiming a 6-4, 6-4 victory and recording her second consecutive win over the five-time Grand Slam champion. Subsequently, Taylor Fritz defeated Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(4) to seal Team USA's triumph at the United Cup.

During her post-match press conference, Iga Swiatek clarified that the medical timeout wasn't necessitated by the same leg issue that plagued her during her match with Katie Boulter.

Instead, the World No. 2 admitted that she wanted the break because she was tired from her grueling workload at the event, highlighting that she didn't feel "fresh" heading into her clash with Coco Gauff.

"Well, taping wasn't a different leg, but nothing happened really. Like, I was just tired. You know, the volume at the beginning of the tournament especially has been pretty big, so yeah, but honestly, like, this really, it's all good," Swiatek said. "Well, for sure, you know, I wasn't fresh today, but I'll be good. So nothing happens."

Iga Swiatek: "I wasn't able to give 100%, Coco Gauff played amazing and she's for sure improving"

Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek - Source: Getty

Despite losing in the United Cup final, Iga Swiatek took pride in her performances against tough opponents in the lead-up to the 2025 Australian Open, scheduled to commence on January 12.

Swiatek also acknowledged that she wasn't at her best against Coco Gauff, praising the American for producing an "amazing performance" and displaying remarkable signs of improvement in her game.

"And I'm for sure happy, because, you know, I played some heavy hitters as well this week and also some girls that played tough. I was able to play against both really great tennis. For sure today I wasn't able to give 100%. Coco also played amazing, you know, and she's for sure improving," Iga Swiatek said.

"But overall I'm really happy with the week. I feel like the things I worked on really improved. But on the other hand, like, you know, this week, the Australian Open is a different story, so still, I'm gonna do everything step by step and continue the work that I have been doing," she added.

Iga Swiatek will enter the Melbourne Slam as the second seed, on the hunt for her maiden title at the Major. The Pole will face tough competition from two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, World No. 3 Coco Gauff, and former Australian Open runner-up Elena Rybakina.