Iga Swiatek has testy exchange with reporter after US Open loss to Amanda Anisimova: ‘Why would you say that?’

After falling short Wednesday of what would’ve been her fourth straight Grand Slam semifinal this season, Iga Swiatek fielded more questions about her opponent, Amanda Anisimova, than herself.

Swiatek destroyed Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 to capture her first Wimbledon title earlier this summer, so, naturally, many wanted to hear how she saw Anisimova piece together a convincing 6-4, 6-3 victory inside Arthur Ashe Stadium at the U.S. Open less than two months later.

When asked how tired she is at the moment, Swiatek looked particularly irritated.

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“Well, I don’t know, it’s not like my matches were exhausting here,” she said.

The reporter then asked if she felt like she needed a mental break.

“Why would you say that?” she quipped.

The exchange continued with the reporter explaining that he was just wondering, citing how many tournaments it is in a row for her and then reshaping the question to ask if she’s looking forward to the break.

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“Well, talk to people responsible for the schedule,” Swiatek said. “Do you need mental break?”

“I do, yeah,” the reporter responded.

“Well, then what are you doing here?” she said.

Swiatek was far from her best in the 1-hour, 36-minute match against Anisimova, who blasted 10 more winners (23) than the Pole (13). There was little doubt in Anisimova’s game, while Swiatek didn’t have her usual power on her way to committing 15 unforced errors to her opponent’s 12.

— Mollie Walker