The double bounce controversy during the QF of the 2025 AO literally overshadowed Iga Swiatek’s dominant performance against America’s Emma Navarro. What really happened, though? Well, on Wednesday, during a crucial point in the second set, this moment of controversy occurred. Swiatek was serving to hold advantage point (2-2) when she failed to reach a sliced drop shot executed by the American. The umpire failed to notice that the ball bounced twice in front of the Pole and awarded her a point. It stirred a massive uproar on social media and fans were seen taking a jibe at Swiatek. However, now Serena Williams‘ ex-coach comes in support of Swiatek.

Reflecting his thoughts on this controversial moment we saw, renowned tennis journalist, Jose Morgado shared a tweet calling it, “This is ridiculous. Clear double bounce.” There were a few others who also raised their voice on the same, but what is a double bounce? Well, a double bounce occurs when a player fails to hit the ball before it bounces on the court twice. The ball needs to be hit after the first bounce. If it ends up bouncing a second time, it’s called a double bounce and hence that player may lose the point, which was not the case for Iga Swiatek.

Another tennis journalist, Bastien Fachan shared the clip of that controversial moment with the caption, “Full replay of the double bounce 😶 Feel sorry for Emma Navarro here…” In his post, a fan commented, “Swiatek without doubt knew that it was a double bounce, from the timing, the feel of the ball on her racket and the ball trajectory. Any experienced tennis player would know it. Really poor sportsmanship from her.“

After seeing this post, Serena Williams’ former coach, Rennae Stubbs was seen taking a hit back at that fan who criticized Iga Swiatek. She tweeted, “There’s NO ONE had a better view of that play than me, I was sitting right on the eye line of that shot from my commentary position & it was such a bang-bang play that originally I thought she got it, I even said it on air. Then I saw the slo mo & changed my mind, so 🤫!!!“

We all know that the AO has introduced a video review system for the first time this year, but still, how did this happen? As per the rules, Emma Navarro should have simply discontinued playing if she believed the Pole hit the ball after it bounced twice. However, since she didn’t stop, the chair umpire, Eva Asdareki-Moore didn’t care enough to take a call for a video review. If Navarro had stopped and asked for a review, things could have been a bit different perhaps. Iga Swiatek wrapped up the match by 6-1,6-2, but is it the first time we’re seeing these types of incidents in the tennis world, though?

Well, even during Ben Shelton’s QF match against Lorenzo Sonego we saw a similar incident. The Italian stopped when he thought there was a double bounce and raised the challenge. At that time, chair umpire, Thomas Sweeney checked the relay and ruled in favor of Sonego. Not only that but even during the 2024 US Open, we saw a similar moment during Anna Kalinskaya’s R32 match against Beatriz Haddad Maia. Kalinskaya had then challenged a point against Maia claiming a double bounce. However, at that time an interesting event took place!

After checking, the chair umpire Miriam Bley awarded a breakpoint in favor of the Brazilian, instead of giving it to Anna Kalinskaya. The Russian lost that match and it stirred a massive controversy at that time with Jose Morgado calling it, “One of the most embarrassing moments of this #USOpen.” Then even at the Cincinnati Open, we saw a “horrendous” double-bounce controversy during Felix Auger-Aliassime’s match against Jack Draper.

At that time, tennis stars, like Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andy Roddick, and Novak Djokovic were seen raising their voices against such blunders. Djokovic called the situation “embarrassing” and “ridiculous.” What did Emma Navarro and Iga Swiatek say about this recent incident though?

Emma Navarro refuses to blame Iga Swiatek for this double-bounce controversy

This match was Emma Navarro’s second meeting with Iga Swiatek and it didn’t take long for the Pole to seal the deal in the epic QF clash. Did this crucial mistake play a key role in deciding the fate of this match? Well, according to Emma Navarro, this incident didn’t “cause a momentum swing.” However, she believes that there should be a change in the system.

According to Navarro, “I think we should be able to see it afterwards. It happened so fast. In the back of your head, you’re like, ‘OK maybe I can still win the point even though it wasn’t called’. It’s going to be a downer if I stop the point and it turns out it wasn’t a double bounce. It’s tough.” Has she any complaints about the former world number one?

Well, in reply to this, the American said, “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 it is what it is, I guess. It’s tough to place blame on anybody.” What did Iga Swiatek say about this incident, though?

While speaking about the double-bounce call, Iga Swiatek said, “Honestly, I didn’t see the replay after this point because, after the point, I didn’t look up to the screens because I wanted to stay focused and didn’t want this point to stay in my head for a longer period of time. 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. I thought it was 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.” Iga Swiatek is yet to lose a set in this tournament and she is currently up against another American, Madison Keys. Can she reach the final of the 2025 AO? Share your thoughts in the comment box.