Tennis star Iga Swiatek expressed shock and disbelief during a US Open press conference on Thursday when questioned about potentially adorning her hair with beads similar to those worn by Naomi Osaka.
The world number two, who had just secured a three-set victory against Suzan Lamens in the second round, responded with visible astonishment to the query.
The unexpected question came from a Polish journalist, adding to existing tensions between Swiatek and media outlets from her home country.
"What kind of question is that? Excuse me? If I wanted to weave beads in my hair? No. What's going on?" the 24-year-old Polish player said.
Iga Swiatek was not happy with the question she was asked after the match
|REUTERS
The 2022 US Open champion has previously voiced frustration with how Polish media outlets have covered her career, particularly their focus on her professional relationship with psychologist Daria Abramowicz.
Following her Wimbledon triumph earlier this year, Swiatek criticised the unpleasant treatment she and her team had received from reporters in Poland.
"I hope they will just leave me alone and let me do my job because obviously you can see that we know what we are doing, and I have the best people around me," she stated after her victory.
The eight-time Grand Slam singles champion emphasised that she had already demonstrated significant achievements and requested greater respect for her personal boundaries and career decisions.
The relationship between Swiatek and Abramowicz became a subject of public scrutiny in March when Polish publication Interia Sports featured an interview with sports psychologist Dariusz Nowicki.
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Iga Swiatek won Wimbledon earlier this year
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Nowicki characterised their professional relationship as "disturbed", suggesting that appropriate boundaries between psychologist and client had been crossed.
"A certain psychological distance in relation to the client, who is the athlete, or in general to the training team, which is with the athlete or team, is essential," he explained in the interview.
His remarks followed an incident at Indian Wells where Swiatek faced criticism for hitting a ball towards a ball boy and her team during her defeat to teenage player Mirra Andreeva.
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Swiatek addressed the media scrutiny during her Wimbledon press conference, acknowledging the challenges of responding to constant coverage whilst maintaining focus on her tennis.
"We as public people and as athletes, we can't really react to everything going on. We've got to focus on ourselves," she explained.
The Polish champion noted that dealing with media attention had become increasingly difficult in recent months, particularly regarding how she and her team were portrayed.
Iga Swiatek is looking to win back-to-back Grand Slams
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"I have already proved a lot. I know people want more and more, but it's my own process and my own life and my own career," she stated.
Swiatek is scheduled to continue her US Open campaign on Saturday against Anna Kalinskaya.