A major controversy broke out at the ongoing WTA tournament at Bad Homburg between two former world No. 1s, Iga Świątek and Victoria Azarenka.
The duo met in the Round of 16 of the grass court tournament, with the Pole prevailing 6-4, 6-4 in a match that was far closer than the scoreline suggested. With the victory, Świątek surged to a 5-1 lead in their lopsided head-to-head.
However, the match will be best remembered for Azarenka’s outburst against her Polish opponent during a pivotal moment in the third set.
What Triggered Controversy at Bad Homburg Match Between Iga Świątek and Victoria Azarenka
Having won the first set 6-4, Świątek stepped up to the line to serve for the match in breezy conditions. With the game delicately balanced at 15-30, Azarenka took offense at the Pole taking too much time between her serves.
Świątek performed the ball toss, but did not hit her serve, eliciting an angry response from the Belarusian.
“Every time it’s the same story,” Azarenka charged the chair umpire. “As soon as she’s down in the game, she’s taking her time, like over the time. And you’re not checking. Every time.”
Victoria Azarenka to the umpire in her match against Iga Swiatek in Bad Homburg
“Every time it’s the same story. As soon as she’s down in the game, she’s taking her time. Like over the time. And you’re not checking. Every time.”
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 24, 2025
Despite the tense situation, however, Świątek managed to compose herself and closed out the game and the match.
The Pole made her last appearance at the tournament in 2023, when she reached the semifinals before withdrawing.
The Bad Homburg Open, considered one of the tune-up events ahead of Wimbledon, has attracted some of the top talents in women’s tennis this year as they attempt to acclimatize themselves to the grass ahead of the Grand Slam.
Apart from Świątek, several other top players, including Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, Mirra Andreeva, and Jasmine Paolini, have entered the fray.
Questions Hanging Over Iga Świątek’s Form Ahead of Wimbledon
After a series of lacklustre results on her best surface, clay, Świątek will be seeking redemption at the grass courts of Wimbledon.
This year, the five-time singles Grand Slam champion has enjoyed a mixed bag of results. However, her form was questioned after she suffered some early exits in the clay tournaments leading up to Roland-Garros.
In particular, Świątek’s 1-6, 1-6 demolition at the hands of longtime rival Coco Gauff raised some serious questions about her ability to defend her French Open crown.
She did perform admirably at the French Open until she came up against another familiar rival in Aryna Sabalenka. The No. 1-ranked Sabalenka ended Swiatek’s 26-match French Open winning streak with a scoreline of 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-0.
Notably, grass is arguably the Pole’s weakest surface, and she has only made it through to the quarterfinals once.
