It was a night of highs and lows at Rod Laver Arena, but not for reasons anyone expected. Emma Navarro, the eighth seed, saw her dream run at the Australian Open come to an end in the quarterfinals. Facing World No. 2 Iga Swiatek, she was up against a formidable opponent who delivered a near-flawless performance. Swiatek cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 win, but it wasn’t the scoreline or her dominance that made headlines. Instead, a missed double bounce stirred up some controversy and overshadowed the match. So what did Navarro have to say about this?

Swiatek made an explosive start, breaking Navarro to love in the first service game and wrapping up the opening set in just 36 minutes. But the second set brought some controversy at 2-2 A-40. The moment in question? A double bounce missed by the umpire, Eva Asderaki-Moore.

The ball clearly bounced twice before Swiatek managed to flick it over for a winner. Navarro protested, but since she had played on, the umpire ruled that the point would stand. Despite video technology being available, it wasn’t used because the play hadn’t stopped.

After the match, Navarro addressed the incident, brushing off any animosity toward Swiatek. “It’s in the moment; like is said, it happens so, so fast. I don’t know if she knew or not. Ultimately, it’s up to the ref to make the call. If she didn’t see it, then, you know, it is what it is, I guess,” she said in the post-match press conference.

The American tennis player even suggested a rule change for such situations. She said, “It’s tough to place blame on anybody. It’s a tough call, and I think the rules should be different. I think for sure, we should definitely be able to look at it afterward and decide.”

Interestingly, a similar situation unfolded on the same court later that day, with very different results.

During a quarterfinal clash between Ben Shelton and Lorenzo Sonego, another double bounce caused some drama. Shelton, while serving at 1-2 in the second set, scrambled to reach a drop shot. Sonego believed the ball had bounced twice and challenged the call.

This time, as play was stopped immediately, the chair umpire consulted video review from multiple angles and ultimately awarded the point to the Italian tennis player. However, it is important to note that even before the official decision, Shelton conceded the point, showing exceptional sportsmanship.

The only difference in the situation was that Navarro continued to play the ball, which is why she has asked for a change of rule. But looks like Iga Swiatek doesn’t agree.

Iga Swiatek doesn’t echo Emma Navarro’s call for a rule change

Despite the drama, Iga Swiatek’s performance against Emma Navarro in the match was nothing short of stellar. The World No. 2 has now dropped just 14 games in her five matches, a feat surpassed only by legends like Maria Sharapova, Monica Seles, and Steffi Graf under the current format. The win also marks her second semifinals appearance at the Australian Open; first came in 2022.

After the match, Swiatek was asked if she was aware of the double bounce during the controversial point. She explained, “I wasn’t sure if it was a double bounce or I hit it with my frame. It was hard to say because I was full sprinting. I don’t remember even seeing the contact point.”

The Polish tennis star made it clear that she believed it was the umpire’s responsibility to make such calls. “I thought this is the umpire’s job to call it. I was also waiting for the VAR, but I didn’t see it, so I just kind of proceeded.”

When asked if the rule should be changed, the 23-year-old didn’t seem convinced. “This is the first time something like that happened to me, so I’m not sure,” she said. “But I think they already had a lot of time to think it through. So, if there would be some better option, I think tennis would use it.”

Swiatek now gears up for her semifinal match against another American player, Madison Keys, set to take place on Thursday. Will she continue her incredible run and secure a spot in the final?