Iga Swiatek was surprisingly defeated at the Miami Open by the world No.140 player, just days after a fan made threats against her.
The world`s top-ranked female tennis player had her security increased after a spectator reportedly verbally abused her during a practice session last Sunday in Florida.
The person, who is said to have a history of online harassment against the 23-year-old Polish player, was recorded verbally attacking her.
Following this incident, on Wednesday, Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam winner, was defeated 6-2, 7-5 by Alexandra Eala of the Philippines, who is not seeded and ranked No. 140, in the quarter-finals.
This week marks a significant milestone in the career of 19-year-old Eala, a wildcard entrant, achieving new accomplishments for her nation.
Player safety in tennis is under increased focus after Emma Raducanu was distressed last month due to being targeted by a stalker at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Miami Open organizers stated, “We are very serious about the safety and security of all players and everyone at the tournament.”
“We are always checking for possible threats and taking all necessary actions.”
“To keep our security measures effective, we do not share specific details about them.”
A representative for Swiatek`s team commented, “Security is a top priority.”
“We monitor online activity to identify these kinds of problems.”
“There`s a difference between constructive criticism and threats, hate speech, or disruptions during practice – these are unacceptable.”
“We informed the tournament organizers and the WTA about this issue. They responded quickly and implemented extra security measures, for which we are very thankful.”
