WATCH: "I don't think that's legal" - McEnroe discusses Swiatek's questionable tactics

Monday, 05 September 2022 at 11:00

Updated at Tuesday, 28 January 2025 at 13:54

byErik Virostko

Iga Swiatek's questionable tactics were dissected by John McEnroe as she advanced at the 2022 US Open.

Swiatek won already her third match at this year's US Open and it seems that the WTA World No. 1 player wants to add another Grand Slam title to her collection.

So far this season, the 21-year-old Pole collected six trophies, including one from a Grand Slam tournament. At the 2022 US Open, she's one of the biggest favorites to win.

However, after her last match against Lauren Davis, former player and current analyst John McEnroe questioned the tactics used by Swiatek.

Often, when her opponent has an easy ball at the net, Swiatek tries distracting her opponent with a lot of moves and sometimes she succeeds. She used this tactic also against Davis, and McEnroe discussed it when speaking to Eurosport.

"I don’t know about that. I don’t think that’s legal…that is a little bit below the belt. The last time I saw that was when I was playing in 1986 I believe and [Mansour] Bahrami came in and served, and put his hands wide open and said, ‘Hit me’."

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"And my partner Peter Fleming hit him in the forehead. And I said, ‘He’s a joke, this guy! I don’t understand what he’s doing. This is serious’. And Bahrami was like ‘Good shot Peter, good shot!’ He loved it. I don’t think Swiatek has to do that. She’s so good it seems…but she’ll learn. She’s 21."

While others discussed her questionable tactics to distract her opponent, Swiatek was focused on her own performance after the match.

"Being in this situation, I know how tough it is sometimes to find balance and to actually stay focused on the proper things. I think she did very well. I have huge appreciation because it’s one of my goals actually to be consistent throughout my whole career, staying top 10 for a long, long time."