This year’s edition of the US Open has provided yet another moment of madness – this time involving Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek.
The Pole is one of the tournament favourites at Flushing Meadows as she looks to claim her second US Open title.
Swiatek booked her spot in the third round of the event after beating Suzan Lamens over three sets. Despite this, it was her post-match press conference which made all the headlines.
The 24-year-old faced questions about the racism storm surrounding Jelena Ostapenko, when another question from a Polish journalist left her visibly irked.
The reporter asked the Pole whether she would ever wear beads in her hair, like the ones Naomi Osaka rocks during her matches.
Swiatek was stunned by the comment, and she quickly went after the reporter.
“What kind of question is that?” she said. “Excuse me? If I wanted to weave beads in my hair? No. What’s going on?”
Iga Swiatek responds to an odd question in press at the U.S. Open:
“What kind of question is this, I’m sorry. Did you think about putting beads in your hair? No. What’s going on here?” 💀
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 28, 2025
Controversial question comes amid racism scandal
The US Open is in the midst of serious controversy after Ostapenko was accused of racism following her confrontation with Taylor Townsend.
Following her straight sets victory, the American went over to shake Ostapenko’s hand, but was instead met with a barrage of abuse.
The Latvian claimed her opponent had ‘no education and no class’ which some believe was a racially-charged comment.
Ostapenko quickly defended herself on social media, saying: “I was NEVER racist in my life and I respect all nations of people in the world, for me it doesn’t matter where you come from.”
When asked whether her opponent’s comments had racial undertones, Townsend said: “That’s something that you’re going to have to ask her.
“I didn’t take it in that way, but also that has been a stigma in our community of being not educated and all of the things when it’s the furthest thing from the truth.”
She added: “I can’t speak on what her intentions were… saying I have no education and no class, I don’t really take that personally, because I know that it’s so far from the truth…. whether it had racial undertones or not, that’s something she can speak on.”
READ MORE: FIERY US OPEN CLASH: JELENA OSTAPENKO BLASTS ‘NO EDUCATION, NO CLASS’ TAYLOR TOWNSEND
