Iga Swiatek faces fan abuse at Miami Open, security heightened

Iga Świątek, the world No. 2 tennis player, has been placed under increased security at the Miami Open after experiencing aggressive verbal abuse from a spectator during a practice session. The unidentified man reportedly shouted personal insults, which her team claims was a transition from prior online harassment where he sent abusive messages. This incident follows a similar occurrence involving Emma Raducanu, who faced a stalker at a recent tournament, raising ongoing concerns about the safety of female athletes in the sport. Tournament organizers and the WTA have responded swiftly, implementing additional security measures to protect players. Świątek's representatives emphasized that while constructive criticism is acceptable, threats and hate speech must not be tolerated. Despite the unsettling experience, Świątek continued to perform strongly, advancing in the tournament.