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Members of Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina's coaching team are facing flak after the duo's exit from the Madrid Open 2025. The former received a beatdown from Coco Gauff in the semifinals, while the latter was knocked out in the third round.
Swiatek also had to deal with an absurd line of questioning during her post-match conference in Madrid. Aryna Sabalenka was called out after her alleged use of shady tactics during her quarterfinal showdown against Marta Kostyuk in Madrid.
Stefanos Tsitsipas' relationship with his father is also under the spotlight after his performance in Madrid. Here's a quick rundown of the controversies that hit the world of tennis over the past week:
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Aryna Sabalenka receives backlash for questionable sportsmanship against Marta Kostyuk in Madrid
Aryna Sabalenka's quarterfinal showdown against Marta Kostyuk at the Madrid Open 2025 was a see-saw affair. The World No. 1 saved a set point to capture the first set and was forced to contest a tie-break after wasting a match point in the second set.
When it was Sabalenka's turn to serve at 4-5 in the tie-break, it began to rain. After missing her first serve, she went up to the umpire and stated that she wouldn't be able to continue. The umpire felt that the downpour wasn't strong enough to halt the proceedings and asked her to continue.
While Sabalenka went back to serve, she abandoned her routine halfway through it. She tossed the ball and then stopped, stating she couldn't see clearly because of the rain and walked back to her bench. The umpire deferred to her but Kostyuk was naturally annoyed at this turn of events.
Kostyuk argued with the umpire and wanted Sabalenka to play at least that one point, though the umpire didn't budge. The Belarusian's act ruffled quite a few feathers. Some fans bashed her for her apparent decision to unilaterally stop the play, while some sided with her.
Sabalenka got a first serve upon the resumption of play and lost that point to trail 4-6. However, she saved three set points to win the match 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7), and later went on to win the title as well.
Elena Rybakina's coach comes under fire after her early exit from the Madrid Open
Elena Rybakina was a semifinalist at last year's Madrid Open. However, her time in the Spanish capital came to a swift end this time, losing to Elina Svitolina in straight sets in the third round.
Rybakina's coach Stefano Vukov was earlier banned by the WTA after an investigation into allegations of abuse. His continued association with the Kazakh has already made him quite unpopular with the fans and now after her early exit, he's facing their ire once again. They're holding him responsible for halting the former Wimbledon champion's progress.
While Vukov has been called out by fans and other members of the tennis fraternity, Rybakina has continued to vouch for him. She has discredited any allegations of abuse and mentioned that he has never misbehaved with her.
Iga Swiatek shuts down a journalist for unfairly comparing the ATP and WTA Tours
Iga Swiatek staged a comeback to beat Madison Keys 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open. However, the high from the incredible fightback was soured by a journalist's question during her post-match conference. She was asked whether the ATP Tour is becoming more like the WTA Tour these days, which seemed to have a negative connotation.
Swiatek seemed perplexed by this framing and asked for more details, which left her even more bewildered. She seemed over this line of questioning and shut it down quickly.
"People say the ATP Tour is becoming more and more like the WTA Tour. I think they mean it in a negative way. What do you think about this comparison?" the interviewer in question asked Iga Swiatek.
"I don't know what they mean, I need more details," the Pole replied confusedly.
"No, the ATP Tour is more open now... like, the WTA circuit...This is good, this is bad?" asked the media person.
"I don't know, because last, I mean Jannik and Carlos have been winning all their Grand Slams last year, you know. I don't think... I don't get it. I got no opinion then. I'm too stupid to answer that question," she replied.
Swiatek received considerable support online for having to deal with such seemingly asinine questions. Fans were left wondering when such journalists would face any action for their disrespectful line of questioning.
Iga Swiatek's psychologist faces the heat after a crushing loss to Coco Gauff
Iga Swiatek's title defense at the Madrid Open came to an end with a 6-1, 6-1 loss to Coco Gauff in the semifinals. This marked her third consecutive loss to the American, all in straight sets, with this being the most lopsided defeat. This was also her first loss to her younger rival on clay.
Fans felt that Swiatek's psychologist, Daria Abramowicz, shoulders the responsibility for the situation she currently finds herself in. The Pole hasn't reached a final since winning the French Open last year. Her on-court demeanor has changed, being emotionally volatile and frustrated, and her famed mental strength has visibly diminished.
These issues were evident throughout Swiatek's match against Gauff, as well as during her other losses. Fans opined that Abramowicz hasn't been helping Swiatek the right way for a while now. This isn't the first time she has come under fire and it is unlikely to be the last.
Fans concerned for Stefanos Tsitsipas after his father's interference during his Madrid Open campaign
Stefanos Tsitsipas crashed out in the third round of the Madrid Open with a 7-5, 7-6 (3) loss to Lorenzo Musetti. While he had already parted ways with his father, Apostolos, as his coach last year, his reemergence has left fans concerned.
Tsitsipas indicated that he and his father weren't on good terms and had conflicting ideas of how to take his career to the next level. They had a falling out at the Canadian Open 2024 and he had recently pleaded with his parents to give him more space to make his own decision.
Tsitsipas won the title in Dubai earlier this year. However, with his father back in his player box during recent tournaments, his results have taken a hit once again. Fans are left wondering if the level of control exerted by his father is hurting the 26-year-old's results and are calling for him to give his son some breathing room.
