"Said 'Coco Gauff I’m coming to get you'";"Still looking for excuses, embarrassing" - Fans divided over Iga Swiatek explaining her last loss to Gauff

Iga Swiatek has shared the reason behind her loss to Coco Gauff at the 2025 United Cup, in the lead-up to the Australian Open. However, the Pole's explanation has drawn mixed reactions from tennis fans, with some accusing Swiatek of making excuses, while others defended her stance.

Although Swiatek holds a commanding 11-3 lead in her head-to-head record against the World No. 3, Gauff has triumphed in their two most recent encounters. Following a 6-3, 6-4 victory at the 2024 WTA Finals, the World No. 3 claimed a 6-4, 6-4 win in the United Cup final ahead of the Melbourne Slam.

After claiming a dominant 6-1, 6-0 win over Emma Raducanu in the third round of the Australian Open, Iga Swiatek was asked if such a performance would've changed the outcome of her match against Coco Gauff at the United Cup. However, the World No. 2 highlighted the difference between facing Gauff and Raducanu, acknowledging the American as one of the three best players in the world.

Swiatek also revealed that she had been unable to perform at her best against the 20-year-old, admitting that she was in pain and had difficulty with her movement. The five-time Grand Slam champion expressed her eagerness to face Coco Gauff under better physical circumstances.

I couldn't give 100% on that match with Coco. Obviously, like she earned it, and she played also really nice and pretty aggressive and everything, but, you know, at the end, like, I couldn't really move much because everything hurt me," Iga Swiatek said.

"So, for sure, I would like to play, like, again with Coco when I'm more, like, you know, fit and ready to run and everything because, with Coco, you need to physically be ready. She's running a lot as well, so the rallies can be long," she added.

Several fans didn't take kindly to Iga Swiatek making "excuses" for her loss to Coco Gauff, deeming the Pole a "sore loser."

"Swiatek still looking for excuses 15 days after losing to Coco, so embarrassing 😭😭😭🤡," one fan commented.

"I’m not a fan of sore losers. When she was beating everyone else at the United Cup, she could run and she was fit but as soon as she gets whooped, she wasn’t fit and couldn’t run? 🤣 sure," another fan chimed in.

"See, these are the type of answers I don’t like. It is never a situation where she says too good my opponent was better that day," a fan remarked.

"And when coco beats you again then what?? Y'all would have eaten coco alive if she said this btw," said another.

However, others rushed to Swiatek's defense, arguing that she had shown "no disrespect" for Gauff and suggesting that she was simply issuing a challenge to the 20-year-old.

"She said coco I’m coming to get you," one fan posted.

"Iga says, bring it on. I like it. Nothing better than good rivalry. Aryna may have something to say about it. There was no disrespect in Iga’s answer. Can’t wait. It’s still long way. Elena is in the mix as well," another fan chimed in.

"She gave all credit to Coco Gauff and said she wants to play with her again when she's 100 % ready. You guys always see what you want to see. This is the biggest compliment she could give. She admitted that she needs 100% of her physical wellness to play with Gauff on the same level rn," a fan wrote.

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Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff are on course to meet in the Australian Open 2025 final

Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff - Source: Getty

Following her win over Eva Lys, Iga Swiatek will square off against Eva Lys in the fourth round of the 2025 Australian Open. Lys claimed a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Jaqueline Christian to advance to the fourth round of a Major for the first time in her career.

If Swiatek triumphs over the German, she will face Emma Navarro or Daria Kasatkina in the quarterfinals, followed by a potential semifinal clash with Elena Rybakina.

Coco Gauff, meanwhile, advanced to the fourth round after claiming a 6-4, 6-2 win over Leylah Fernandez. The American will lock horns with Belinda Bencic in a blockbuster battle for a spot in the quarterfinals.

If she emerges victorious, Gauff will take on Paula Badosa or Olga Danilovic in the final eight, with top seed and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka looming as her potential semifinal opponent.

If both Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek reach their maiden Australian Open final, they will set up a blockbuster title clash at the Melbourne Slam.