Iga Swiatek Faces Backlash Over ‘Classless’ Handshake at United Cup Final

Iga Swiatek, the World No. 2 tennis player, has drawn criticism from fans and commentators following a controversial handshake with Coco Gauff after their United Cup final match in Sydney. The Polish star, who lost 6-4, 6-4 to the American, was accused of poor sportsmanship after offering a brief, seemingly dismissive handshake at the net.

The incident capped a tense match where Swiatek was already under scrutiny for taking a lengthy toilet break after losing the first set and an injury timeout late in the second set. Fans on social media labeled her behavior as ‘classless’ and ‘disrespectful,’ with many pointing out her lack of eye contact and failure to congratulate Gauff.

This is not the first time Swiatek has faced backlash. Earlier in 2024, she served a one-month doping ban after testing positive for trimetazidine (TMZ), a banned heart medication. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) ruled the positive test resulted from contamination, allowing her to return to competition quickly.

Gauff, meanwhile, continued her impressive form, securing her second straight victory over Swiatek after previously losing 11 of their 12 encounters. The win helped Team USA claim the United Cup trophy, with Taylor Fritz defeating Hubert Hurkacz in a thrilling three-set match to seal the victory.

Swiatek’s struggles were evident throughout the match, as she required medical treatment for a right-side complaint and ended the match in tears. Her double-fault on match point further highlighted her difficulties against an in-form Gauff, who now heads into the Australian Open as one of the favorites for the women’s title.

Team USA’s victory marked their second United Cup triumph in three years. Fritz, who reached his first Grand Slam final at the 2024 US Open, praised the team’s camaraderie, saying, ‘The team vibes all week are amazing. That’s one of the things that makes our team so great.’

As Swiatek prepares for the Australian Open, the controversy surrounding her behavior at the United Cup final is likely to linger, adding pressure to her quest for a sixth major title.