Womens World No 1 Iga Swiatek performs a bizarre pre match

Women’s World No. 1 Iga Swiatek performs a bizarre pre-match ritual ahead of her second round match

Women’s World No. 1 Iga Swiatek reveals a bizarre pre-match ritual ahead of her second-round match – after furiously lashing out at a fan

  • Iga Swiatek’s pre-match shoe squeak at the Australian Open irritated some fans
  • One warm-up tactic tweeted was “disrespectful,” while another said it was “annoying.”
  • The Polish ace, 21, stormed into the third round after beating Colombia’s Camila Osorio

Iga Swiatek is a fan favorite on the pitch – but her bizarre pre-match ritual before her second-round match against Camila Osorio of Colombia at the Australian Open has become a topic of conversation on social media.

The world No. 1 and top women’s seed won 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday, her shoe squeaking frustrating some fans ahead of the first game.

“That’s disrespectful. Can’t she stop for a few seconds?” wrote one after the clip was uploaded to the Australian Open’s official Twitter page.

Another brutally replied: “Shit she’s so annoying.”

It comes after Swiatek, 21, attacked a fan at Melbourne Park after her first-round win on Monday.

Iga Swiatek's ritual before her second-round match against Colombia's Camila Osorio sparked conversation on Twitter

Iga Swiatek’s ritual before her second-round match against Colombia’s Camila Osorio sparked conversation on Twitter

The world number one and top seed (picture left) squeaked frantically with her shoes on the net before the first point while warming up on Wednesday

The world number one and top seed (picture left) squeaked frantically with her shoes on the net before the first point while warming up on Wednesday

The three-time Grand Slam champion, whose best result at the Australian Open is a place in the semifinals, reminded fans to treat players with patience and respect.

The Polish ace fought his way to a 6-4, 7-5 win over Germany’s Jule Niemeier in the first round – and when a supporter got a little too enthusiastic after the game, Swiatek snapped.

When a fan autographed a set of new-size tennis balls, he decided the quickest way to get his ball to the star was to throw it.

Swiatek dodged quickly, but the ball hit her in the middle, prompting her to wiggle her finger towards the fan and say a few choice words.

Swiatek later paid tribute to Australian great Ash Barty, who retired from the sport last March.

Swiatek of Poland reacts to the conversion of match point against Jule Niemeier of Germany in their first round match on day one of the Australian Open 2023 at Melbourne Park

A relieved Iga Swiatek of Poland after defeating Jule Niemeier of Germany in their first round match at Melbourne Park

Swiatek has replaced retired Australian champion Ash Barty as world No. 1 and credits the Queenslander with an inspiration

Swiatek has replaced retired Australian champion Ash Barty as world No. 1 and credits the Queenslander with an inspiration

“She’s just a huge inspiration and the way she’s acting is so classy,” she said earlier this week.

“It just seemed like she (Barty) really enjoys competing and taking on a challenge, which I really admire because sometimes a challenge for me is something I get rather nervous about.

“So I really wanted to have that mindset and it really inspired me to work on myself.”

Swiatke’s straight-set win at a closed Rod Laver Arena led to a third-round clash with either former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu or Spanish qualifier Cristina Bucsa on Friday.