Iga Swiatek gets booed for a controversial remark at the Australian Open

Iga Swiatek found herself at the center of controversy during the Australian Open after making an unexpected comment that did not sit well with the Melbourne crowd. World No. 2, who had been on a remarkable run in the tournament, faced an unusual moment of disapproval following her straight-set victory over Rebecca Sramkova. During her on-court interview with Channel Nine’s Jelena Dokic, the 23-year-old ignited a fierce response from the audience when she declared that Sydney has better coffee than Melbourne. This claim touched on the long-standing rivalry between the two cities.

The Victorian capital takes great pride in its coffee culture, often boasting superiority over Sydney regarding quality brews. Swiatek’s remark instantly drew boos from the passionate Melbourne crowd. The conversation had taken a lighthearted turn when Dokic, aware of the Polish tennis star’s love for coffee, playfully asked about her experiences with Australian brews. The five-time Grand Slam champion’s honest response, however, triggered an unexpected reaction.

“I gotta say, in Sydney I found better coffee shops,” Swiatek admitted, causing an uproar among the Melbourne fans. Quickly realizing the backlash, the Polish star attempted to clarify her stance. “But no, no, no–guys, the thing is that also it’s not easy for me to fall asleep, so during a Grand Slam, my coffee level needs to be a bit lower. I’m only drinking it before the match, so I didn’t do the right research,” she explained in an attempt to pacify the crowd. She further praised Australian coffee culture, adding, “So sorry for my answer … overall, in Australia, I think it’s hard to get the wrong coffee. Every coffee shop keeps, like, a really great quality, and my order will always be flat white on oat milk.”