Fans on social media said the Polish tennis player should have shown “more grace”
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Polish tennis star Iga Świątek was booed during her semifinal match against 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells for smashing a ball back at a ball boy.
The 2024 French U.S. Open winner, 23, was on a 10-match win streak at the tournament when she hit the court on Friday, March 14, to play the Russian teen breakout. Świątek struggled during the third set, which ultimately ended with her 1-6 loss, and was heard complaining about the ball kids on the court making noise behind her.
In a video of the match that has since garnered millions of views online, Świątek was visibly frustrated at one point when one of the ball boys tossed her a ball. Upon his toss, Świątek swatted her racket and smashed the ball right back at him.
The ball boy then put his hands up and moved out of the way just in time to miss any contact with the ball.
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Still, the crowd in California reportedly booed the tennis star before the match continued. It ended with a 7-6 (1), 1-6 and 6-3 victory for Andreeva, who ultimately won the California tournament on March 16. On social media, fans of Świątek called her out for what they deemed poor sportsmanship.
