Iga Swiatek and Danielle Collins’ alleged feud resurfaced during the United Cup 2025. It all started during last year’s Paris Olympics when they two locked horns in the quarterfinals. The American was unfortunately forced to retire due to an injury in the third set.
When Collins met Swiatek for the post-match handshake, she gave her a piece of her mind and labeled her as “insincere”. The five-time Major champion was caught off guard by this accusation. Both explained themselves during the post-match conference, and the American later stated that the incident was overblown when quizzed about it at another event.
However, after months of truce, the hatchet doesn’t appear to be buried after all. Both players advanced to the final of the United Cup 2025 representing their respective countries. All team members shook hands with each other prior to the start of the championship round on Sunday, January 5.
When it was time for Collins to shake hands with Swiatek, she did the bare minimum and moved on in a hurry. Her antics didn’t go unnoticed, and social media was abuzz with chatter after it looked like the American isn’t a big fan of the 23-year-old.
Collins has taken this matter off the court as well. She switched her profile picture on Instagram to her reaction while shaking hands with Swiatek. She also posted a couple of stories about the same amidst pictures of her team’s victory and even made fun of herself in a lighter vein.
Swiatek, meanwhile, hasn’t acknowledged this latest turn of events. She won four singles matches at the United Cup and lost to Coco Gauff in the final. Collins didn’t get an opportunity to compete despite being a part of the team. She will now compete at the Adelaide International this week. The two of them could potentially meet at the Australian Open after that, where they have a history.
Danielle Collins scored her only win over Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open
Iga Swiatek leads Danielle Collins 7-1 in the head-to-head. The American’s only win came in the semifinals of the Australian Open 2022 and beat her 6-4, 6-1. She came quite close to securing her second win in this match-up at last year’s edition of the Melbourne Major.
After splitting the first two sets during their second-round encounter, Collins led Swiatek 4-1 in the final set. However, the American’s lead evaporated before her eyes as her younger rival snatched the win from her.
The Australian Open ranks as Collins’ best Major, with a runner-up finish in 2022 and a semifinal showing in 2019. Swiatek was a semifinalist Down Under in 2022 and will be eyeing to win the tournament for the first time this year. She has won four of her five Major titles at the French Open, and one at the US Open.
Edited by Rohit