Poland’s top female tennis player, Iga Świątek, has received extra security at the Miami Open after a man harassed her during practice, highlighting concerns over the safety of women competitors.
Świątek, the world No. 2, advanced to the fourth round in Miami after defeating Belgium’s Elise Mertens on Sunday. However, her performance has been overshadowed by security concerns after a man disrupted an earlier training session with intrusive personal comments.
The man taunted Świątek about her strained relationship with her mother, shouting, “Hey, Iga, call your mother. Hey, Iga, when will you reconcile with your mother?”
The individual, known online as “DzonnyBravo,” recorded the scene and shared it on social media.
Świątek’s team reported the incident to tournament organizers and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), leading to security being stepped up for the Polish player during matches, according to public broadcaster Polskie Radio 24.
“Ensuring players’ safety is the top priority,” said Świątek’s PR manager, Daria Sulgostowska.
As of March 24, the X social media account of DzonnyBravo appeared to have been either blocked or deleted.
The incident comes amid increasing reports of harassment in women’s tennis.
In mid-February, former U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu said she could not see the ball through tears and was barely able to breathe after noticing a stalker during her match at the Dubai Championships. The man has since been banned from all WTA tournaments.
Other players, including Katie Boulter, Danielle Collins and Sloane Stephens, have also spoken about similar experiences in the past.
Concerns over player safety are not new. In 1993, Monica Seles, a nine-time Grand Slam champion, was stabbed by a fan during a match, forcing her out of professional tennis for over two years.
Świątek, meanwhile, remains focused on the tournament in the U.S. On March 25, she will face Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the fourth round at 1:30 AM CET as she continues her bid for the Miami Open title, which would be her second, having previously won the tournament in 2022.
