Iga Swiatek sparked attention during her first match at the Australian Open with an unexpected move—intentionally ripping her skirt. The World No. 1 faced Chinese qualifier Yuan Yue, ultimately triumphing in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 6-3. Despite a rocky start where Swiatek lost her serve, she quickly bounced back to secure the victory.
Initially, Swiatek appeared to struggle with her movement on the court, visibly uncomfortable in her attire. During a break, she took the unusual step of attempting to alter her skirt, which she found too tight. In a moment that caught the eye of spectators, she managed to tear the garment on the left side to relieve the restriction, seeming satisfied with the modification as she resumed play.
The adjustment seemed to pay off, as Swiatek found her rhythm in the second set and capitalized on missed opportunities from her opponent. After the match, while celebrating her win, she reflected on her performance, noting there was still room for improvement. “I was a bit rusty at the beginning,” she admitted. “But I knew if I put in the hard work, I will play better.”
Swiatek’s candid acknowledgment of her struggles resonated with tennis pundit Anne Keothavong, who commented on her aggressive start to the match. “I didn’t think it was ever going to be an upset, but I was surprised with how Swiatek started and her approach,” Keothavong noted, suggesting Swiatek might not need such an intense offensive strategy from the outset of every match.
Swiatek’s resilience, paired with her inventive solution to her attire problem, exemplifies her determination as she contemplates her path in the tournament ahead. Fans can remain optimistic about her potential as she continues to refine her game in pursuit of the Australian Open title.