Iga Swiatek Left Secluded as After Coco Gauff, Jimmy Connors Disapproves Her Controversial Take

Roland Garros has seen its share of passionate crowds, but their enthusiasm has ignited a debate within the tennis world. While the electrifying atmosphere can be a boon for players, some, like Iga Swiatek, have called out disruptive crowd noise as a hindrance to focus and performance. Swiatek’s on-court plea for silence during rallies sparked controversy, dividing opinions on the role of crowd behavior in professional tennis.

During the French Open second round match against Naomi Osaka, Swiatek expressed frustration about noise during a crucial moment in her match. As referenced by the 4-time Grand Slam winner, she missed a shot when a member of the crowd screamed out as she prepared to hit a drive volley. Despite ultimately winning the intense match, Swiatek raised a “controversial appeal” to the fans during her post-match interview. “I’m sorry to even bring this [up],” Swiatek said, acknowledging the importance of the fans to the sport.

“I have huge respect for you guys [the fans] and I know that we are basically playing for you because this is entertainment and we’re also earning money because of you. But sometimes under a lot of pressure, when you scream something during the rally or right before the return, it’s really hard to be focused,” the Polish tennis star said after surviving a close scare by 7-6 (1), 1-6, 7-5.

However, Swiatek’s appeal witnessed skepticism from the tennis community. Players like Coco Gauff and Pam Shriver sided with the crowd, leaving Swiatek isolated in her stance. Adding to the controversy, former American tennis player Jimmy Connors appeared to dismiss Swiatek’s concerns. 

On June 2, the tennis legend appeared on the Advantage Connors podcast to talk about the ongoing French Open tournament and also discussed the ‘unruly’ behavior of the crowd. Connors seemed to support the enthusiasm of the fans, emphasizing his own preference for noise during matches. “I mean, I always thought that I had enough to do down there into court [to] take care of my own business.”

He added that he didn’t like a quiet noise and said “I wasn’t one of those that cared to keep it quiet. I liked the noise.” Connors highlighted the fans’ desire to be actively involved in the match, expressing admiration for their enthusiasm and determination to contribute to the atmosphere of the game. “They want to be a part of what’s going on and watching these two great players (Iga and Naomi) play.” This isn’t the first instance of Iga Swiatek facing backlash over her statements about crowd noise.

Immediately after Swiatek’s statement, Coco Gauff had expressed her appreciation for the lively atmosphere and backed the crowd. “I like big crowds obviously, and I like when people are passionate about the match.” Adding its better to have a constant noise, she said “I know sometimes during the point it can be tough when there’s crowd noise, and especially when it’s unexpected. I think constant noise is better.”

While Swiatek was the only player to make an appeal, she is not alone in feeling troubled by the fans. Other legendary players, including Novak Djokovic, also fell prey to such a crowd!

When the French crowd troubled Novak Djokovic

The French crowd seemed to be causing trouble for Novak Djokovic as well during the ongoing Roland Garros. In his second-round match against Roberto Carballes Baena on Court Philippe Chatrier, Djokovic encountered issues with the crowd’s noise.

During the first set of the game, Djokovic approached the umpire to complain about the disruptive noise between points. This incident quickly went viral on social media, which stood divided over the matter. However, Djokovic maintained his composure and ultimately secured a victory over Baena, despite the distractions.

The debate over crowd noise in tennis highlights the delicate balance between player focus and fan engagement. While Iga Swiatek’s appeal for quieter conditions has sparked controversy, it portrays the issue faced by many athletes. It will be interesting to see how the crowd’s etiquette evolves as the French Open advances.