Iga Swiatek's phone call amidst the quarterfinal match with Elena Rybakina added a dash of humor to the 2023 Italian Open.
It was an ordinary day at the Italian Open, a tranquil atmosphere punctuated only by the thwack of tennis balls and occasional roars from the crowd. On the court, two talents of forming WTA's 'Big Three', Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina, were locked in a high-stakes duel - the 2023 Italian Open quarterfinals.
The tension was thick in the air as both players tried to outwit and outplay each other. That is until an unusual sound echoed through the stadium: the sound of a cellphone ringtone. Midway through the first game, the persistent ringtone prompted quizzical looks from players, officials, and spectators.
It was a humorous break from the high-strung intensity that usually characterizes such high-level matches. Unruffled, everyone on the court was trying to figure out the source of the noise, when Swiatek, who said she wants to focus on herself before the match and probably got into it too much, realized it was her phone causing the spectacle.
With an embarrassed smile and a quick apology to her opponent, the umpire, and the crowd, Swiatek hurried to her chair, her every move followed by a chorus of laughter rippling through the audience. After all, it's not every day that you see a world-class athlete's game paused by a routine, everyday distraction like a phone call.
What ensued could well be described as a scene from a comedy skit. Swiatek's attempt to locate her phone turned into a delightful mini-event of its own. Her momentary struggle to find the source of the relentless ringtone had spectators chuckling, amplifying the light-hearted moment.
After what seemed like an eternity, but was only a couple of seconds, Swiatek finally located the device and handed it over to court staff. The phone was then quickly passed to her team in her box, presumably to ensure no further interruptions would occur.
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