Iga Świątek, the 23-year-old Polish tennis star and five-time Grand Slam champion, made a strong return to competitive play at the 2025 United Cup, but it wasn’t just her on-court prowess that garnered attention. Following her dramatic match against Great Britain’s Katie Boulter, an exchange between the two players caught the spotlight, though Świątek was tight-lipped about the details.
This tournament marks Świątek’s first official WTA event since her doping case came to light in late November 2024. The controversy surrounding her one-month suspension for testing positive for trimetazidine, a substance used to treat heart conditions but banned in sports, has been a challenging chapter for the Polish player. The provisional suspension, which ran from September 12th to October 4th, was later lifted after further testing revealed the contamination was from melatonin tablets Świątek had purchased. Despite the scandal, the tennis world eagerly anticipated her return to competition.
Swiatek’s season debut at the United Cup had many questions surrounding her fitness and readiness. However, the 23-year-old wasted no time in answering those concerns emphatically. She started her campaign with a dominant victory over Norway’s Malene Helgo, followed by a tight but successful doubles match against Casper Ruud and Ulrikke Eikeri. Świątek then powered through Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova, securing a straight-set win before teaming up again with Hubert Hurkacz to help Poland top the group.
However, it was her highly anticipated quarterfinal match against Katie Boulter that had the tennis world talking. Boulter, known for her powerful game, took the opening set in a dramatic tiebreaker, but Świątek raised her level in the following sets, securing a 6-1, 6-4 win and sending Team Poland into the semifinals. The match was widely regarded as one of the best of the 2025 United Cup so far, with both players putting on a show of skill, resilience, and determination.
Despite the thrilling contest, a controversial moment occurred during the third set. After Boulter had broken Świątek’s serve to go 2-1 up in the decider, the Polish star called for a medical timeout. While Świątek did not appear to be injured or in distress during the match, she later explained that she had taken painkillers, which helped her feel better and improve her movement.
This sudden medical break left some questioning whether it was a strategic move, as there was no visible sign of injury. Świątek denied this, insisting that it was a genuine need for treatment and not a tactical pause. “It wasn’t strategic at all,” she said, emphasizing that the painkillers allowed her to perform better during the latter stages of the match.
After the match, the two players shared a warm hug at the net, but a brief exchange followed as Boulter shook hands with the rest of Team Poland. Journalists were quick to inquire about the nature of their conversation, but Świątek kept the details private, responding, “Well, I’ll keep it private.” Her refusal to disclose what was said has only fueled curiosity, with many speculating about what might have been discussed in the heat of the moment.
While it may be tempting to speculate on the conversation, Świątek’s refusal to reveal the specifics is understandable, and she has every right to maintain privacy. It is important to note that any frustrations or doubts that Boulter and Team Great Britain may have had regarding the medical timeout should not overshadow the match’s overall quality or Świątek’s excellent play.
Looking ahead, Świątek has proven that despite the off-court controversies, she is in top form as she heads into the 2025 season. Fans will be watching closely to see how she performs in the remaining stages of the United Cup and, ultimately, the Australian Open, where she’ll look to continue building on her remarkable career.
