"Straightforward Iga Swiatek vs paranoid and b*tchy Danielle Collins" - Fans applaud Pole's response to American's 'insincere' claim after Olympics QF
Iga Swiatek's measured response to Danielle Collins' accusation of insincerity after their contentious clash at the 2024 Paris Olympics has impressed tennis fans. The duo battled it out in a blockbuster quarterfinal matchup at Roland Garros.
Swiatek and Collins engaged in a closely contested battle for a spot in the semifinals of the Olympics, both players clinching a set apiece. However, the thrilling clash came to an unfortunate end when the American retired with injury, with the World No. 1 leading 6-1, 2-6, 4-1.
The duo's already contentious on-court contest boiled over into their post-match exchange, as Danielle Collins urged the 23-year-old to refrain from being "insincere" about her injury, expressing her desire to avoid any "fakeness."
"I told Iga she didn’t have to be insincere about, you know, my injury. There’s a lot that happens on camera, and there are a lot of people with a ton of charisma and come out and are one way on camera and another way in the locker room," she said.
"And I just haven’t had the best experience, and I don’t really feel like anybody needs to be insincere. They can be the way that they are. I can accept that, and I don’t need that fakeness," she added.
Swiatek was stunned by the American's unexpected hostility, emphasizing that her only intention was to congratulate Collins on her career, given that it was the 30-year-old's last year on tour.
"Well, I won't argue about it, because I've never done anything nasty to her. I rather wanted to congratulate her on her successful career, because we all know that this is her last year on tour," Iga Swiatek said.
"Honestly, I don't know what she meant, because we didn't even have any interactions that could have caused her to say that to me,” Swiatek told the media (via Interia Sport).
Tennis fans praised Iga Swiatek for her straightforward response, suggesting that Collins' dramatic attack was "embarrassing" since the Pole was simply wishing her well.
"Straightforward and simple Iga vs Paranoid and b*tchy Danielle," one fan commented.
"Didn’t watch the game but Iga seems to play tennis and mind her business so I don’t get why Danielle has so many unsavoury words to say to her. It’s giving sore loser," another fan chimed in.
"Ok so Danielle had a problem with Iga that she wished her health, this girl is embarrassing," a fan wrote.
"Danielle Collins should make friends with Jelena Ostapenko and Putintseva. They are all such drama queens," said yet another.
Others, meanwhile, contended that the World No. 1 should stop being polite when dealing with such undue hostility.
"Iga should stop being polite and put some of Vika's mentality against such losers," one fan posted.
"My thoughts EXACTLY throughout this match. Seriously it’s time for Iga Swiatek to show some claws against b*es like this. Of which we’ve got a bunch on the tour. You’re not gonna be liked by everyone no matter how kind, polite you are. Especially if you whip their a** 7 or 11 times," another fan responded.
Iga Swiatek to take on Zheng Qinwen in Paris Olympics SF after win over Danielle Collins
Following her win over Danielle Collins, Iga Swiatek will take on China's Zheng Qinwen in a blockbuster semifinal clash at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Zheng booked her place against the Pole by claiming a hard-fought 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(6) win over Angelique Kerber, ending the German's professional tennis career.
Swiatek will enter the clash with an air of confidence, having won all six of her previous meetings with the Chinese. Their most recent encounter took place in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Dubai Tennis Championships, where the World No. 1 secured a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory.
If Iga Swiatek extends her dominance against Zheng Qinwen, she will face Anna Karolina Schmeidlova or Donna Vekic in the final as the Pole pursues her maiden Olympic gold medal.