The quarterfinal match of the women’s singles at the Paris Olympics between world number 1 Iga Swiatek and American Danielle Collins on the court ended with the withdrawal of the American tennis player on the score of 6-1 2-6 4-1 for the defending champion of Roland Garros.
But it was a high-tension match, between the toilet break of the world number 1, a ball to the side of Swiatek by Collins – who nevertheless apologized – and then for a medical time out requested this time by Danielle shortly before retiring.
When Collins retired and during the handshake at the end of the match, all hell broke loose. Collins clarified the contents of the dialogue at the end of the match in a press conference, in fact claiming that the Polish player behaves in a completely different way and manner in front of the cameras in the locker room.
“I told Iga, Collins explained, that she shouldn’t be insincere about my injury. A lot of things happen in front of the camera, there are people who behave one way in front of the camera and another way in the locker room. Everyone can be whatever they want. But I don’t need falsehood,” she said.
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But Iga Swiatek explained that she didn’t say anything and was just trying to wish her a speedy recovery especially after the medical time out.
“I won’t argue about it, because I’ve never done anything unpleasant to her. I just wanted to congratulate her on her successful career, because we all know that this is her last year. Usually during tournaments, when we go out and have time to change, we are entitled to 5 minutes. Here I asked the lady who accompanied me how much time I had. She told me that here they don’t count the time. So I used the time to change and freshen up, and then I went back on the court. I honestly didn’t know how much time had passed, but I didn’t do anything against the rules.”
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Meanwhile, the consequences of the physical problem suffered by Collins at the Paris Olympics have led the very strong and beautiful American tennis player to miss both the National Bank Open in Toronto and the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.
Danielle suffered from heat stroke which resulted in a problem with her rectus abdominis. In the last few hours, the American has updated on the injury, explaining how rest and recovery are essential to be able to heal more quickly in view of the US Open.
“As I approach the end of my career, it has been important to try to rest and recover so that this can heal as quickly as possible. After suffering from heat stroke in Paris, I pulled my rectus abdominis. I had a similar injury in this area almost four years ago that prevented me from competing for over four months. Obviously I don’t want that to happen again. This was a little update for everyone who has been contacting me and checking in on me since my injury at the Olympics,” said the American.