World No.2 Iga Swiatek has received extra security at the Miami Open after a man harassed her during practice amid concerns over the safety of female players.
Świątek advanced to the fourth round in Miami after defeating Belgium’s Elise Mertens on Monday, but the win was overshadowed by security concerns after a man disrupted an earlier training session with comments of a personal nature.
It’s understood the man taunted the former world No.1 about her strained relationship with her mother shouting, “Hey, Iga, call your mother. Hey, Iga, when will you reconcile with your mother?”
READ MORE: DCE explains bombshell contract call in revealing interview
READ MORE: Multi-player battle to replace sidelined Panthers superstar
READ MORE: This moment could point to huge off-field win for Swans
Świątek’s team reported the incident to tournament organisers and the WTA opted to increase security for the Polish player during matches, according to Polskie Radio 24.
Iga Swiatek harassed in Miami. Getty
“Ensuring players’ safety is the top priority,” said Świątek’s PR manager, Daria Sulgostowska.
Swiatek has been vocal about the criticism she has copped online after she slammed a ball into the court near a ball kid during her semi-final loss to eventual champion Mirra Andreeva earlier this month at Indian Wells.
Speaking to Sky Sports in Miami, Swiatek said she had received backlash particularly in her home country of Poland, for a lengthy Instagram post in response to the incident.
“I explained why my frustrations were a bit higher in the past month. It’s a bit hard for me to say because during a tournament I’m not checking what is happening on the internet, but for sure, in Poland it is not easy sometimes,” Swiatek said.
“Abroad people have much more distance to what is going on with players and athletes overall.
“But at home they like to focus on every little thing that went wrong and I want them to know that this is not the perfect way to support me.”
Swiatek copped plenty criticism after her lengthy post online, with former world No.1 Andy Roddick saying she did not have to give a “10-page” explanation and would be better served to apologise to the ball kid in person.
Boris Becker followed suit by posting on X, saying “lots of excuses and looooong explanations… not sure anymore!”.
The incident involving Swiatek comes after former US Open champion Emma Raducanu noticed a stalker during her match at the Dubai Championships.
