Victories are not just brought by hard work but sheer luck at times. Hard to believe? Look at Emma Navarro’s situation, whose quarterfinal clash with Iga Swiatek stirred controversy. Although Navarro played impressively at the major event, one wrong decision closed her Melbourne chapter. Turns out, the Happy Slam for most turned out to be the Sorry Slam for her.

Iga Swiatek has moved to the ongoing Australian Open’s semifinals, thanks to her victory against American rising star Emma Navarro in two straight sets by 6-1, 6-2. Despite a good fight, Swiatek’s quarterfinal victory has stirred another controversy, especially for the double bounce of one of her shots against Navarro. In the second set of her match, when the Polish player was leading by 3-2, she couldn’t manage a drop shot before the ball hit the court for the second time. Although Navarro questioned the chair umpire after Swiatek’s winning point stroke, no review was made.

Tennis journalist Bastien Fachan shared the moment on his X platform, expressing his sorriness for Navarro, who could have won the match had the umpire noticed the fault. However, it still isn’t clear why the review wasn’t confirmed. Later, the fraternity felt that Swiatek won the point maybe because her opponent didn’t ask for any review of the point or appeal for a video at the right time. Navarro’s decision cost her an unfortunate exit from the Melbourne Slam.

Despite the point going to Swiatek, commentators raised the question of why Navarro didn’t fight for her point when she was clearly right. Nine Commentary’s Sam Smith said, “That’s a double bounce, isn’t it? That’s clearly a double bounce. So, why didn’t Emma Navarro ask for a review? ” His discussion was joined by AO commentator Nick Lester, who seemed quite surprised by Navarro’s decision not to use the video review which could have helped her inch forward in the match. “Navarro, understandably here, is questioning whether this was a double bounce. She has the video review but she’s not opting to use it,” he said.

While everyone was quite baffled by Navarro’s reaction, Nicole Pratt tried to bring an explanation. Reflecting on the situation, she said, “Emma Navarro went and asked the question, I think the reply was that ‘you would have needed to stop (the point) immediately’. If you don’t stop play then you can’t go back.” On the flip side, Emma Navarro looked forward to her clash against Swiatek. Recalling her “blown off” moment against Swiatek in the 2018 Charleston Open, she felt she had a chance to avenge that loss in Melbourne this time. Although that didn’t happen, her statement about her preparation pre-match slightly hinted at her admiration for the Polish star. So what did she say?

When Emma Navarro called Iga Swiatek “pretty good”

In the ongoing Australian Open press conference, Navarro began her preparations against Swiatek with a retrospective journey into her 2018 clash against the former WTA number one. Navarro highlighted how she hardly had moments where she was totally “blown off the court” but Swiatek’s presence on the opposite side of her court made her realize how “this girl s pretty good.”

Despite that feeling, Navarro also had the faith that she might overpower her skilled opponent this time. “Circumstances are definitely different now. I feel like I’m pretty good too. I’m ready for a good challenge,” Navarro reflected. Although in 2018 she felt like she “didn’t have a chance” against Swiatek, Navarro confessed she has grown in terms of her skill and playing style.

However, her reactions during her match against a formidable Swiatek made the American athlete look pretty intimidated. Now, as the Polish star awaits her semifinal clash against Madison Keys, let’s see if luck helps her in the Slam for the second time. All we hope is that as the AO draws closer to the finish line, it doesn’t get embroiled in further technical mishaps and missed judgement calls.