Iga Swiatek expressed her dissatisfaction with the chair umpire’s refusal to check a mark during her semi-final defeat against Aryna Sabalenka at Roland Garros. The incident occurred when Swiatek was one set down, leading 4-2 in the second set, as Sabalenka served on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Following Sabalenka’s first serve that went out, Swiatek pointed out the mark and requested French umpire Kader Nouni to inspect it. However, the umpire declined, citing the timing of her request. “You waited for the ball to go out, and then when it was out, you pointed,” Nouni said during their exchange. He insisted she had indicated the wrong mark and that she had taken too long to challenge it.
Frustrated, Swiatek eventually moved back to receive Sabalenka’s second serve, wearing a faint smile, indicating her annoyance. Commentator Naomi Cavanday supported Swiatek’s reaction, highlighting that players often receive additional time to contest calls, particularly as Hawk-Eye technology isn’t available in Paris.
Cavanday pointed out that umpires can interpret these situations differently, especially on clay, where players typically have more leeway. She noted that Swiatek’s request to check the mark wasn’t unusual for clay court play.
After the match, Swiatek reiterated her concerns to the media, stating, “I don’t think that was fair,” emphasising that the umpire routinely checked marks whenever Sabalenka requested. Swiatek felt that her attempts to verify the mark were unjustly dismissed. “He came down every time Aryna asked him to… I don’t understand it, but I don’t really care,” she added, asserting that the chair umpire’s inconsistent calls were the crux of her grievance.
Swiatek’s comments reflect a broader concern regarding fairness and consistency in officiating, especially at high-stakes tournaments like the French Open. Despite the disappointment, she managed to maintain her composure and focus on the match ahead.