It would be best if dramas were exclusively reserved for cinema. Either that or they’ve got to stop being so brutal in the sporting world. At the Paris Olympics, Iga Swiatek and Danielle Collins faced an on-court controversy during their quarterfinal clash. This, in turn, was not kindly received by tennis fans who took a potshot at the American owing to her off-putting conduct with Swiatek.

The showdown saw Collins retire mid-way through the third set, 6-1, 2-6, 4-1, after suffering from sharp abdominal pain. However, she refused to leave the court without addressing the Pole with a few words. This, in turn, was the game changer. Both Swiatek and the crowd were seemingly perplexed by what happened but later, the American disclosed the statements she made to the World No. 1.

During the ceremonial handshake, the American No. 1 approached Swiatek and treated the latter with a lengthy speech. Subsequently, after Collins left, the Polish star was visibly befuddled by what had happened, lending an air of confusion to the already bizarre situation.

For the unversed, the World No. 1’s hopes to emphasize the American’s injury after her retirement backfired when the latter called Swiatek’s attitude “insincere”. Collins said: “I told Iga she didn’t have to be insincere about, you know, my injury.” Subsequently, Collins’s seemingly condescending approach towards the Polish star is what irked tennis fans. They later took to their official social media handles to voice their frustration on the situation.

Tennis fans blast Danielle Collins for unhealthy conduct with Iga Swiatek

The tennis community could not contain their emotions after witnessing the quarterfinal drama erupt at the Paris Olympics. Following Collins’s post-match controversial lecture, fans took to X to express their concerns and further took shots at the American No. 1.

Swiatek seemed content with her victory, but her expression quickly changed to one of bewilderment after Collins went up to her. One user highlighted that Collins’s on-court speech snatched Swiatek’s victory face from her, leaving the Pole with a shocked expression. “The change in her facial expression”.

Collins has not been a favored icon of the sport. Prior to her retirement announcement, her outbursts have drawn the ire of tennis fans, especially when she told Maria Sakkari to “Shut your mouth,” during an argument in the 2023 Montreal Open. Another X user passed their verdict on the American, stating no reparations could be made for her actions. “Danielle Collins they could never make me like you.”

Another passionate tennis fan reiterated moments during their clash which led to the Collins aftermath, questioning the authenticity of the 30-year-old’s claims on Swiatek’s ‘insincerity’. “This annoys me so much, like you got so hurt by Iga’s toilet break that you decided to hit at her and then take a MTO of your own — Why the lecture at the end, then? As if you have ever been the bigger person.”

Collins has attained 4 WTA titles in her career while Swiatek outdoes her with simply the number of her slams. Remembering the difference in achievement from the two, one fan bluntly termed the World No. 9’s attitude as “Salty” while another user highlighted that “There’s a reason why Iga is #1” owing to her hardened temperament that has helped Swiatek to deal with such tense on-court situations in the past.

With this victory, the Polish superstar has secured a spot in the quadrennial event’s semifinal. She will now face Chinese talent Qinwen Zheng for a place in the summit clash. If all goes well, the World No. 1 might complete her dream run by clinching a gold medal for her nation!