Tennis star Iga Swiatek was visibly frustrated during her first-round match at the Australian Open as she took matters into her own hands when she suffered a bizarre wardrobe malfunction.
Swiatek, 24, took on Chinese qualifier Yue Yuan and eventually won in straight sets, but the Pole was forced to make alterations to her skirt after it restricted her movement.
Fed up, the world No.2 ripped the skirt during a changeover early in the first set before tucking the loose fabric into her tights as best as she could.
Australian doubles great Rennae Stubbs noticed Swiatek’s frustration during the match.
‘I know it sounds weird, but she’s kind of been tinkering at it,’ Stubbs said in commentary.
‘She’s used to having a little bit more room in there, she’s been tucking it up.
Iga Swiatek is pictured ripping up her skirt after suffering a ‘weird’ wardrobe malfunction on Monday night (pictured)
Australian doubles great Rennae Stubbs noticed Swiatek’s frustration during the match (pictured)
‘That’s not something we’re used to, this would be the first match she’s played in that outfit.’
Seemingly ordered by Swiatek to find shorts, a member of her team left the box during the last changeover before the break between sets.
‘It’s going to be interesting to see going forward what she does with the skirt situation,’ Stubbs said after Swiatek changed into shorts.
‘She likes to do the splits when she’s hitting that big, wide forehand, and it seemed to be bothering her quite a bit.
‘It looks good, but it certainly might not be functional for her as a tennis player.’
Swiatek’s win set up a second-round clash with Czech world No.44 Marie Bouzkova.
The six-time major winner admitted she was still below her best against Yuan.
‘I was a bit rusty at the beginning. Didn’t really start well and she used the opportunity,’ Swiatek said post-match.
Swiatek’s hard-fought win set up a second-round clash with Czech world No.44 Marie Bouzkova
Swiatek has won six Grand Slam titles in her career – but the Australian Open has so far eluded her
‘But I knew if I put the hard work in I will play better, so that’s what I tried to do from the middle of the first set.
‘I’m happy that it worked, for sure. Many ups and downs, but overall I have some stuff to work on, so I’ll just focus on that.’
Pressed further on her early issues, Swiatek said improving her footwork and focus had been key.
‘I needed to get my legs moving and go after my shots, overall be more brave with the decisions, I guess,’ Swiatek said.
‘Because for sure she started playing more full and I just needed to react a bit quicker and not be pushed back, but really go for it.
‘I just tried to do this a couple of times and it wasn’t perfect, but that’s why I’m happy, because it’s hard to win matches when everything is going well.
‘Today it wasn’t, but I managed to win, so that’s good. I just used my chances that I got and I’m happy about that.’
Swiatek, the reigning Wimbledon champion, is the only active female player at Melbourne Park with the opportunity to complete the set of the four major trophies.
She has twice reached the last four at Melbourne Park.
