Iga Swiatek, who has not only been a vocal champion of support for Ukraine in light of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, but has also raised charitable donations to the cause, once again showed her support for the country and hoped for better days, speaking after winning the 2023 Qatar Open on Saturday. However, Swiatek’s complete lack of mention of the ongoing crisis in Turkey and Syria left many tennis fans disappointed.
Swiatek won her 12th career singles WTA title with yet another dominant victory, this time a 6-3, 6-0 win over world No. 4 Jessica Pegula in the final in Doha.
Since the war in Ukraine first began last February, the world No. 1 has been sporting a ribbon with the colors of the Ukrainian flag on her cap. She did that again throughout her Qatar Open campaign and after clinching the title on Saturday, the Polish superstar urged people not to forget about the crisis in Ukraine.
“I feel we all have short memories but we all should support Ukrainians…It’s pretty disappointing the situation is not changing but hopefully we will stay strong,” Iga Swiatek said in the post-match ceremony.
While Swiatek’s gesture was applause-worthy, many in the tennis fan community were miffed with her for not once speaking about the devastating situation in Turkey and Syria caused by a series of high-intensity earthquakes. The death toll in the region has crossed 45,000, almost two weeks since the earthquakes first hit.
“It’s the audacity to call out people for having short memories, but she can’t acknowledge other tragedies. Likeee you can do whatever , but don’t start calling people out for forgetting about Ukraine,” a Twitter user wrote, reacting to Iga Swiatek’s post-match speech.
It’s the audacity to call out people for having short memories, but she can’t acknowledge other tragedies. Likeee you can do whatever , but don’t start calling people out for forgetting about Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/0MOify3kwL
— Tezza ❗️ (@RezzaTezza) February 19, 2023
I was super happy and then she did this, henny at least say “and donate to the earthquake relief for Turkey and Syria” or something it would take three seconds 😭 https://t.co/i6yVdbjtoE
— Mischa (@asMischa) February 18, 2023
Swiatek was also criticized for not highlighting the Turkey-Syria crisis despite playing in a country not too far away from the affected region.
“You actually can’t play in a country that’s close to the earth quake and not say something and then say that you think people have short memories because we don’t care about Ukraine,” read another tweet.
You actually can’t play in a country that’s close to the earth quake and not say something and then say that you think people have short memories because we don’t care about Ukraine https://t.co/O1hQOlHCEj
— Tezza ❗️ (@RezzaTezza) February 18, 2023
Here are a few more reactions from fans to Iga Swiatek’s lack of mention regarding the earthquake-caused destruction in Turkey and Syria:
The juxtaposition of saying ppl can’t forget about Ukraine, a situation where ppl can do very little to help and the wealthiest countries in the world are delivering massive aid, and not saying a peep about the devastating earthquake where aid is urgently needed is crazy tho
— Earl in Accounting (@HumpA_55) February 19, 2023
oh girl 🏃 i would’ve just said nothing. choosing to use your platform but staying hush about another devastating humanitarian crisis in the middle east when you’re in the middle east 🗿 anyways https://t.co/cAotLL1BiY pic.twitter.com/giH0IXmotg
— krysalys (@krysalysonline) February 19, 2023
Yeah it’s unreal to me that she has no idea about the earthquake or is showing wilful ignorance about it
— Rudra (@stefvvithsign) February 19, 2023
this what she said yesterday??? naaahhh☠️ shouldve said it in a better way or just said nothing at all if u dont wanna talk abt turkey and syria https://t.co/oxckFc8Krj
— thal (@thalissuffering) February 19, 2023
“short memories” like we haven’t been having ukraine charity tennis matches every 4-6 business days but you still haven’t said anything about Turkiye and Syria. Since we all have short memories yk? https://t.co/KcXlqsU1xF
— hubert hurkacz’s manager (@shaposthirdwife) February 18, 2023
I didn’t care she wasn’t mentioning earthquake tbh then pointed ukraine called people have short memories like we haven’t talk about Ukraine whole year and didn’t mention Turkey-Syria at all 💀💀💀she lost me there
— DenizTheTennis (@denizthetenis) February 18, 2023
Where are the Turkiye and Syria flags? Isn’t that a disaster as well? Barely any attention and donations going to the arab countries. And she’s playing in an arab country.
— Sabalenka’s Grunt (@Radukinaa) February 18, 2023
“Trying to take a new approach with less expectations” – Iga Swiatek on her confidence level after Australian Open
Iga Swiatek was back to her dominant best and even took her tennis a level higher at the 2023 Qatar Open. Playing in her first tournament since losing in the fourth round of the 2023 Australian Open, Swiatek dropped only five games across three matches en route to the title. Throwing light on her confidence after her semi-final win on Friday, the 21-year-old said that she decided to change her approach after the Australian Open.
As part of her new approach, the world No. 1 is setting much lesser expectations from herself and is simply focusing on constantly improving her technique and skillset. Swiatek said that she felt “more free” during her Qatar Open campaign
“Well, I don’t know about confidence, but for sure I feel like I’m more free here,” Iga Swiatek said on the same in a press conference.
“I really used the time after Australian Open to reset and I’m trying to take a new approach with less expectations and more like focusing on the technique and less, I don’t know, overthinking that every practice is going to influence my game.”
Swiatek will have a quick turnaround after winning in Doha as she is set to play in the Dubai Tennis Championships this coming week. The Polish player will face the winner of the match between Leylah Fernandez and Julia Grabher in her first match.