PARIS — Iga Swiecsk said it was unfair to reject her request to register and inspect the Mark during her semi-final defeat to top-ranked Alina Sabalenka at the French Open on Thursday.
The incident happened when Swiatek was 4-2 in the second set, and Sabalenka offered services at Court Philippe-Chatrier.
After Sabalenka’s first serve had landed, Swiatek paused for a moment before pointing her left finger towards the mark, asking her to climb and inspect the French chair judge Kader Nouni.
“I wanted him to come down, but he didn’t. So I don’t think it was fair. Especially when he came down, he came down every time he asked him. I don’t understand that, but I really don’t care.”
“When there was a mark I was out, he saw me coming out and convinced me that I was just there.”
After a short exchange, Swiatek gave up.
She has a terrible smile on her face, but has returned to that position to win the second serve of three-time major winner Sabalenka.