The match was decided by a final set 10-point tiebreak, and despite leading for almost the duration, Swiatek succumbed to a 7-5, 1-6, 6-7(8) defeat in two hours and 36 minutes.

But during the match, some fans did not like something Iga Swiatek did which has since been spoken about by two of the game’s legends.

What did Martina Navratilova and Lindsay Davenport say about Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open?

Iga Swiatek faced her toughest test of the 2025 Australian Open against Madison Keys in the semi-finals. The 19th seed pushed the World number two to the limit and was rewarded with a hard-fought victory.

But after losing the second set Swiatek left the court for a lengthy toilet break, as fans criticised her for trying to disrupt Keys’ rhythm. Furthermore Swiatek was seen facing the opposite direction when Keys was ready to serve, which delayed the American.

Martina Navratilova and Lindsay Davenport both reacted to the incident on the Tennis Channel Live podcast, and they did not agree with Swiatek’s actions.

“I have seen Iga do that quite often where she just pre-empts and stops the server. She likes to be in her rhythm, but the rule is that you need to play to the timing of the server” Navratilova said.

“So not liking it as much. She had to make sure that Madison saw her put her arm up. She could have been ready three seconds earlier. I don’t like it.”

Davenport added: “It’s not right. It actually backfired. It refocused Madison and fired her up. She was not too pleased with some of the stuff that was happening during the match last night.”

Swiatek certainly looks back to her best at the start of the 2025 season.

Swiatek helped Poland reach the final of the United Cup and she made the semi-finals at the Australian Open for the first time since 2022.

This is the furthest Swiatek has progressed in a hard court Grand Slam since she beat Ons Jabeur to win the 2022 US Open.

After her defeat to Keys, Swiatek took to X to post a congratulatory message to the American, who will face Aryna Sabalenka in the final.

“@Madison_Keys Huge congratulations, you played amazing,” the five-time Grand Slam champion posted. “All the best.”

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