"Never done anything nasty to Danielle Collins": Iga Swiatek stumped by 'insincere' label given to her by American after heated Paris Olympics clash

Iga Swiatek opened up about her heated on-court exchange with Danielle Collins after their quarterfinal clash at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The match between the two women came to an end at 6-1, 2-6, 4-1 in Swiatek's favor as the American had to retire due to an abdominal injury.

However, controversy erupted when the Pole was left stunned after the ceremonious handshake when Collins said some words to her. The World No. 9 later revealed that she felt the 21-year-old was being 'insincere' about her injury.

“I told Iga she didn’t have to be insincere about, you know, my injury," Collins told the media.

Iga Swiatek gave her side of the story later where the five-time Major champion stated how she had never said anything to the American in poor taste and rather wanted to congratulate her on her career (Collins is in her final season). The Pole was stunned as she couldn't comprehend why the 30-year-old behaved that way.

“Well, I won't argue about it, because I've never done anything nasty to her. I rather wanted to congratulate her on her successful career, because we all know that this is her last year on tour, Honestly, I don't know what she meant, because we didn't even have any interactions that could have caused her to say that to me,” Swiatek told the media (via Interia Sport).

"I couldn't breathe for a few seconds" - Iga Swiatek opens up about the body blow she suffered during her match against Danielle Collins

Iga Swiatek (Image Source: GETTY)

During the opening game of the deciding set, a volley by Iga Swiatek came on the backhand of Danielle Collins, who smacked the ball. The Pole was placed in the trajectory of the ball and couldn't dodge it. When Swiatek tried to get up, she seemed to be in some pain and was asked by Collins if she was okay. Sometime later, the World No. 1 got up on her feet and continued the match.

Swiatek was asked by TVP, a Polish television network, about the incident to which she said that the ball hit her under the ribs and she couldn't breathe for a while. However, she felt normal after a while and went on.

"I was hit right under the ribs. I couldn't breathe for a few seconds, but a moment later everything returned to normal and everything is fine now."

Iga Swiatek will play Zheng Qinwen in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The two women have faced each other six times in their careers with the Pole emerging victorious in all.