Iga Swiatek given additional security following incident with spectator at Miami Open
Iga Swiatek received additional security prior to her Miami Open quarter-final defeat to Alexandra Eala on Wednesday. The 23-year-old was harassed by a spectator during a practice session last weekend. GettySwiatek was verbally abused by a male spectator during a practice session last weekend[/caption] The Polish star received additional security prior to her Miami Open quarter-final defeatGetty Swiatek’s ordeal came just a month after Emma Raducanu‘s terrifying stalker hell at the Dubai Tennis Championship. It led to the British star to be offered protection at Indian Wells by a former US secret service agent. And Swiatek had extra security guards assigned to her at the prestigious WTA 100 tournament. The five-time Grand Slam champion was verbally abused by a male individual last Saturday, who targeted the world no.2 on an outside court at the Hard Rock Stadium complex. Swiatek was subject to personal insults in Polish from the man in question, who had targeted her family and her psychologist Daria Abramowicz. The spectator had previously sent abusive online messages to the reigning French Open champion on social media. While Swiatek didn’t engage with the man, her team subsequently reported the incident to event organisers. A spokesperson for Swiatek confirmed prior to her straight sets defeat to Eala that security had been increased. The team member told PA: “The Miami incident appears to be a direct transition from verbal aggression online to harassment in the real world. He was aggressive and taunting. “Security is a top priority. We monitor the network to catch these types of issues. Swiatek is a five-time Grand Slam champion – winning the French Open on four occasionsGetty “Constructive criticism is one thing and threats, hate speech or even disturbance during training is another – this cannot be condoned. “We reported the matter to the tournament organiser, as well as to the WTA, which reacted immediately and took additional precautions, such as additional security, for which we are very grateful. “Ensuring the safety of the players is crucial. They are the ones at the centre of the event and it is our job to protect them.” Meanwhile a statement from Miami Open organisers read: “We take the safety and security of all players and tournament attendees extremely seriously. “We constantly evaluate any potential threats and take every measure to respond appropriately. “To ensure the effectiveness of these efforts, we do not disclose the details of our security operations.” Swiatek’s hopes of Miami Open glory came to an end on Wednesday with Filipino teenager Eala beating her 6-2, 7-5. Having booked a semi-final spot, she will now enter the top 100 when the new WTA rankings come out. It will mark the first time a male or female from the Philippines would have entered the top 100. As for Swiatek, she has now gone ten tournaments without reaching the final since triumphing at Roland Garros last year.
Iga Swiatek received additional security prior to her Miami Open quarter-final defeat to Alexandra Eala on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old was harassed by a spectator during a practice session last weekend.
Swiatek’s ordeal came just a month after Emma Raducanu‘s terrifying stalker hell at the Dubai Tennis Championship.
It led to the British star to be offered protection at Indian Wells by a former US secret service agent.
And Swiatek had extra security guards assigned to her at the prestigious WTA 100 tournament.
The five-time Grand Slam champion was verbally abused by a male individual last Saturday, who targeted the world no.2 on an outside court at the Hard Rock Stadium complex.
Swiatek was subject to personal insults in Polish from the man in question, who had targeted her family and her psychologist Daria Abramowicz.
The spectator had previously sent abusive online messages to the reigning French Open champion on social media.
While Swiatek didn’t engage with the man, her team subsequently reported the incident to event organisers.
A spokesperson for Swiatek confirmed prior to her straight sets defeat to Eala that security had been increased.
The team member told PA: “The Miami incident appears to be a direct transition from verbal aggression online to harassment in the real world. He was aggressive and taunting.
“Security is a top priority. We monitor the network to catch these types of issues.
“Constructive criticism is one thing and threats, hate speech or even disturbance during training is another – this cannot be condoned.
“We reported the matter to the tournament organiser, as well as to the WTA, which reacted immediately and took additional precautions, such as additional security, for which we are very grateful.
“Ensuring the safety of the players is crucial. They are the ones at the centre of the event and it is our job to protect them.”
Meanwhile a statement from Miami Open organisers read: “We take the safety and security of all players and tournament attendees extremely seriously.
“We constantly evaluate any potential threats and take every measure to respond appropriately.
“To ensure the effectiveness of these efforts, we do not disclose the details of our security operations.”
Swiatek’s hopes of Miami Open glory came to an end on Wednesday with Filipino teenager Eala beating her 6-2, 7-5.
Having booked a semi-final spot, she will now enter the top 100 when the new WTA rankings come out.
It will mark the first time a male or female from the Philippines would have entered the top 100.
As for Swiatek, she has now gone ten tournaments without reaching the final since triumphing at Roland Garros last year.
