Ling

Tennis is often regarded as a high-class, elegant sport, with its players seen as role models. However, unlike team sports, tennis is an individual game. When players step onto the court, they have only themselves to rely on—not just for making strategic decisions under pressure but, perhaps most importantly, for managing their emotions.

During the 2025 Indian Wells semifinal, when world No. 2 Iga Swiatek faced rising 17-year-old star Mirra Andreeva, the match was highly anticipated, with Andreeva showcasing her fearless style against the more experienced Polish player. However, in a tense moment during the deciding set, Swiatek’s frustration boiled over.

After missing a key point, she aggressively struck the ball, which flew dangerously close to a ball boy. Though no one was injured, the act sparked immediate backlash from the internet. Some believe such outbursts by top players set a bad example, while others defended Swiatek on the grounds that high-profile tennis players are under tremendous mental pressure.

After a few days of controversy, Swiatek broke her silence on social media and shared her thoughts. She stated, “When I don’t show many emotions on court, I’m called a robot. Now that I’m more expressive, showing feelings or struggling internally, I’m suddenly labeled immature or hysterical.”

Players often face punishment and criticism for violent behaviour on the court. However, expressing emotions on the court is inevitable. The debate over how much emotional expression is acceptable and when it crosses the line continues to be a hot topic in tennis.

This also ties into the growing focus on athletes’ mental health. Swiatek also mentioned how the positive drug test from last year posed a huge challenge to her career and significantly impacted her emotions. She is still processing those experiences.

Swiatek’s reflections reveal the fine line athletes walk between expressing emotion and remaining professional. With immense pressure to perform at the highest level, mental health continues to be a critical factor in an athlete’s career.

As the conversation over emotional behaviour on the court continues, the question remains: How much emotional expression is acceptable in tennis? At what point does passion cross the line into inappropriate behaviour?

Sports with Ling