'Everybody Is Annoyed When They Lose': Swiatek Explains Dubai Behavior
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Iga Swiatek was visibly frustrated after her loss at the 2025 Dubai Championships, and she explained why that was the case in Indian Wells.
Swiatek has been the best performer in the Middle East over the years. She won the Qatar Open in Doha three times in a row, and the Pole also previously played in the final in Dubai.
This year, however, Swiatek lost in the semi-finals in Doha and in the quarter-finals in Dubai. Although that would have been a great result for many players, it wasn't for the five-time Grand Slam champion.
After her loss to Mirra Andreeva in Dubai, Swiatek showed her frustration when she ignored her coach, Wim Fissette, and she was asked about that behavior after reaching the quarter-finals at the Indian Wells Open.
Swiatek explained that everybody would be angry if they lost. She sees it as something completely normal among professional athletes who compete for hundreds of thousands in prize money.
"Well, everybody is annoyed and angry when they lose. I was expecting a bit better results in terms of just which round I lost in Doha and Dubai."
The WTA World No. 2 player then also talked about the changing conditions in Doha and Dubai. She feels like she used to have better results at these tournaments in the past.
"But honestly, these tournaments have been tougher than for past years. You can even see going on my Wikipedia how did the matches look like past years and this year, for example. So, for sure, it was a different story. I was annoyed, but who isn't, you know?"
Despite being annoyed by her loss, Swiatek didn't let it bother her for too long. Instead, the Polish player used it as a fuel to prepare for the tournament in Indian Wells and Miami.
"I think in tennis, it's important to just let it go and focus on the future, and I have been doing it pretty well. I'm not expecting to win every tournament. So after Dubai, yeah, we also had a bit more time to practice, and I also accepted that sometimes, with different circumstances, it might be tougher for my game to be at the best."
In recent years, many tennis players have started complaining about the balls in use at certain events, and that's something that bothered Swiatek in Doha and Dubai. She felt like the balls there were "like potatoes."
"The balls were pretty terrible in Doha, Dubai. They felt like potatoes, so I guess I just kind of refocused and practiced here so I can feel a bit better."
Back on the winning wave, Swiatek will want to reach the semi-finals in Indian Wells. Her next opponent will be Qinwen Zheng, who famously beat her at the Paris Olympics.
