Swiatek Advances to Semifinals as Collins Retires at the Olympics

Iga Swiatek found herself on the court during a tense moment at the Paris Olympics singles quarterfinals. After getting hit by a ball, she dropped to her knees, but the match turned when her opponent, Danielle Collins, decided to retire later in the third set.

Swiatek, who’s the world’s top female player and has clinched five Grand Slam titles, was ahead 6-2, 1-6, 4-1 when Collins, who’s a 30-year-old tennis pro from Florida, had to call it quits. Collins experienced a painful stomach muscle injury, a result of cramping and dehydration, due to the sweltering heat reaching 97 degrees Fahrenheit.

Collins expressed her frustration, blaming the Olympic organizers for inadequate cooling options like insulated water bottles and claimed that the athletes’ health was not prioritized.

During the first game of the final set, with Collins at the service line, she struck a backhand shot aimed right at a positioned Swiatek. Caught off guard, Swiatek had to let go of her racket and momentarily collapsed on the clay court.

Feeling the impact, Collins rushed over to check on her, asking, “Iga, are you OK?” The chair umpire, Damien Dumusois, also came down to see how Swiatek was doing. Thankfully, after a brief pause, Swiatek nodded, ready to continue the match.

Just moments later, Collins struggled and missed a forehand, allowing Swiatek to secure a break. From there, the match momentum shifted as Swiatek quickly led 3-0 in the set, forcing Collins to leave the court for a medical timeout.

When play resumed, it became evident Collins was in no condition to continue, and she ultimately conceded the match. Afterward, emotions ran high when Collins reportedly confronted Swiatek about being insincere concerning her injury.

Looking ahead to the semifinals, Swiatek is set to face Zheng Qinwen, who recently defeated the legendary Angelique Kerber. This will be a crucial moment for Swiatek as she aims for her first Olympic medal at a venue where she has repeatedly triumphed—the same grounds hosting the French Open.

In other news from the Olympics, Anna Karolina Schmiedlova knocked out Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in a decisive 6-4, 6-2 match. Krejcikova, who has performed brilliantly in the tournament but suffered in the heat, seemed exhausted by the end.

On the men’s side, tennis giant Novak Djokovic progressed to the quarterfinals with a win over Dominik Koepfer. Djokovic is eyeing his first Olympic gold after already bagging a bronze in the past.