The tennis world is experiencing intense controversy following Iga Świątek ‘s surprising remarks about her rival Aryna Sabalenka ‘s playing style . The world number one has accused Sabalenka of using “questionable” tactics during her matches, sparking a wave of reactions on social media among fans, coaches, and WTA Tour experts.
Amid this scandal, Roland-Garros CEO Jean-François Vilotte has decided to break his silence. At a press conference in Paris on Monday, Vilotte directly addressed Świątek’s allegations and delivered a verdict that, according to eyewitnesses, emotionally devastated Sabalenka’s coach and left the Belarusian player in a state of shock .
During an interview following her quarterfinal victory, Iga Świątek surprised the audience by stating that “there are players who base their game on intimidation and emotional imbalance in their opponents, rather than on pure talent or strategy.”
Although she didn’t directly mention Sabalenka, the context of her remarks—a recent, tense semifinal against the Belarusian—left no room for doubt. Social media exploded with hashtags like #SwiatekVsSabalenka and #TenisLimpioYa , with thousands of comments from fans demanding an official stance from the tournament organizers.
Jean-François Vilotte was quick to act. In his statement, the Roland-Garros CEO was blunt:
“At Roland-Garros, we promote the values of integrity, respect, and fair play. After reviewing the conduct reports and analyses of recent matches, we believe that certain on-court behavior does not reflect the sportsmanship we uphold.”
Although Vilotte avoided directly mentioning Sabalenka, his message was interpreted as an indirect but forceful condemnation of her recent behavior.
The response was swift. Aryna Sabalenka’s coach , visibly shaken, left the press room after hearing the verdict. He later told the media: “We are in a state of shock. Aryna has always played with passion, not with malice. This statement has hit us deeply.”
For her part, Sabalenka posted a brief message on her Instagram account: “I don’t understand anything. I’ve always given my best. This hurts more than you can imagine.”
This 2025 Roland-Garros will be remembered not only for its high level of competition, but also for the emotional intensity and controversy surrounding it. The confrontation between Świątek and Sabalenka transcended the sporting aspect and sparked a global debate about the limits of competitive behavior in professional tennis.
