Sometimes, the most amusing moments in tennis happen away from the court. Iga Świątek couldn’t hide her disbelief when she learned that her Wimbledon quarterfinal opponent, Liudmila Samsonova, had no idea they’d be facing each other. With only eight players left in the draw, Świątek found it almost impossible to believe that someone could avoid knowing their next opponent.
How Does Samsonova Not Know She’s Playing Świątek?
Seeded eighth at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, Świątek worked her way through a challenging draw to reach her second Wimbledon quarterfinal. She opened with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Polina Kudermetova before surviving a three-set battle against Caty McNally, winning 5-7, 6-2, 6-1. The former World No. 1 then dispatched Danielle Collins 6-2, 6-3 in the third round.
Her path to the quarterfinals was completed with a dominant 6-4, 6-1 victory over 23rd seed Clara Tauson in the fourth round. This performance showcased the form that has made Świątek one of the most feared competitors on tour.
Meanwhile, Samsonova’s journey to her first Wimbledon quarterfinal has been equally impressive. The 19th seed began with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Maya Joint, followed by a 6-2, 6-1 victory against Yuliia Starodubtseva. She then knocked out 16th seed Daria Kasatkina 6-2, 6-3 before securing her quarterfinal spot with a hard-fought 7-5, 7-5 win over Jéssica Bouzas Maneiro.
However, it was what happened after that final victory that caught everyone’s attention. During her press conference, Samsonova revealed her unusual approach to tournament preparation. She deliberately avoids learning who her next opponent will be, a strategy she’s maintained for several years.
“Always, always. No, no, always, always. It’s already been a few years,” Samsonova said when asked about this practice.
What Was Świątek’s Reaction to This Revelation?
When Świątek learned about Samsonova’s approach, her response was a mix of surprise and amusement. The Polish star couldn’t quite grasp how someone could remain unaware of their opponent at this stage of a Grand Slam tournament.
“But she doesn’t know she’s playing me? I get it, but we don’t have so many matches anymore to not know, kind of, I would say. You don’t have so many options in the quarterfinals. Well, there are two locker rooms, so that’s that. Well, at some point, she must know, right? Because she has to prepare, right? I’ll tell her,” Świątek said with characteristic humor.
The comment about “two locker rooms” was particularly telling, as it highlighted just how small the remaining field had become. With only eight players left in the women’s draw, Świątek found it almost comical that Samsonova could avoid knowing her next opponent.
Her offer to personally inform Samsonova about their upcoming match added a lighthearted touch to what promises to be an intense quarterfinal battle. The exchange perfectly captured the contrasting approaches of two elite players preparing for the same high-stakes match.
😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/G8MpZK4fqV
— v 🎾🎾 (@zimawmejduszy) July 7, 2025
The winner of this intriguing quarterfinal clash will advance to face either seventh seed Mirra Andreeva or Belinda Bencic in the semifinals, bringing them one step closer to the Wimbledon title.
How Have These Two Players Matched Up Before?
While Samsonova might not know who she’s playing, the head-to-head record tells a clear story. Świątek and Samsonova have met four times previously on the WTA Tour, with their upcoming Wimbledon quarterfinal marking their fifth encounter.
The Polish star has dominated this rivalry completely, winning all four previous meetings. Their first battle came in the semifinals of the 2022 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, where Świątek prevailed in a thrilling three-set match, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-5. She went on to capture the title by defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
Their second meeting was far more one-sided. In the third round of the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships, Świątek delivered a masterclass performance, crushing Samsonova 6-1, 6-0. Despite this dominant display, Świątek eventually fell in the final to Barbora Krejčíková.
The pair met again in the final of the 2023 China Open, where Świątek once again proved too strong. She claimed the title with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory, adding her sixth WTA 1000 title to her impressive collection.
Their most recent encounter took place in the fourth round of the 2024 US Open, where Świątek continued her perfect record against the Russian with a 6-4, 6-1 victory. This win helped propel the former New York Major champion deeper into the tournament.
With such a lopsided head-to-head record, Samsonova will need to find a way to break through against an opponent who has consistently had her number. Whether her unique preparation method of avoiding opponent information will help or hinder her remains to be seen when they take the court for their Wimbledon quarterfinal showdown.
