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Tennis superstar Iga Świątek has been granted extra security at the Miami Open after being targeted by threats and hate speech from a spectator. The world No. 2, who was looking to claim her second Miami Open title, found herself at the center of a disturbing incident that underscored the darker side of professional sports.
Świątek's spokesperson confirmed the threats, emphasizing that player safety remains a top priority. "Security is a top priority. We monitor networks to catch these types of issues. Constructive criticism is one thing, but threats and hate speech are another – this cannot be condoned," the spokesperson stated. Immediate action was taken by both the tournament organizers and the WTA, ensuring increased security measures for Świątek throughout the tournament.
Despite the added precautions, Świątek suffered a shocking quarterfinal defeat at the hands of Filipino wild card Alexandra Eala. In a remarkable run, Eala has defeated three Grand Slam champions—Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and now Świątek—to book her place in the semifinals.
The threats against Świątek come just weeks after another unsettling incident in women's tennis. At the Dubai Tennis Championships, a man was ejected from the stands for exhibiting "fixated behavior" toward British player Emma Raducanu. The WTA has since reinforced its commitment to player safety, emphasizing that security measures are in place to swiftly handle any incidents.
Meanwhile, Świątek continues to grapple with the mental toll of her recent doping suspension, which sidelined her for a month late last year. The Polish star tested positive for trimetazidine, a heart medication, though the International Tennis Integrity Agency ruled that the substance was ingested unintentionally due to contamination in her melatonin supplements. The suspension forced her to miss three tournaments, and she has since struggled to reclaim her dominant form.
Although Świątek has yet to secure a title since her return, she has shown flashes of brilliance, reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open and Indian Wells. However, the combination of off-court controversies and on-court upsets has made for a challenging start to 2025. With increased security at the Miami Open, Świątek is once again reminded that the pressures of professional tennis extend far beyond the baseline.
