In the midst of her commanding run at the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open, Iga Swiatek, the world No. 2 and defending champion, found herself in an unexpected spotlight during a post-match press conference on April 30. Fresh off a thrilling semi-final berth after overcoming a 6-0 first-set loss to Madison Keys with a 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory, the Polish superstar was blindsided by a provocative question about the ATP and WTA Tours. The query, which suggested the ATP was becoming “more like the WTA” in a “negative way,” left Swiatek visibly perplexed, prompting a candid and humorous response that has since gone viral: “I’m too stupid to answer that question.” The moment, captured on video, has ignited conversations about gender dynamics in tennis, Swiatek’s refreshing authenticity, and the state of both professional circuits.
The question arose against the backdrop of a turbulent Madrid Open men’s draw, where upsets felled giants like Novak Djokovic, who lost his opener to Matteo Arnaldi, and top seed Alexander Zverev, ousted in the round of 16. Carlos Alcaraz, a clay-court titan, withdrew due to a groin injury, and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner was absent, serving a three-month doping suspension. With world No. 6 Jack Draper as the highest-ranked man remaining, the ATP’s unpredictability contrasted sharply with the women’s draw, where top seeds like Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff advanced with relative stability. Some fans have drawn parallels between the ATP’s current volatility and the WTA’s history of diverse champions, a comparison the reporter framed as derogatory toward the women’s game.
Swiatek, whose focus was squarely on her 28-7 season record and quest for a second Madrid title, struggled to unpack the question’s implications. “I don’t know what they mean. I have no, I need more details,” she said, her brow furrowed in genuine confusion. Pressed further, she added, “I don’t think, I don’t get it. I have no opinion then. I’m too stupid to answer that question,” her self-deprecating humor diffusing the awkward exchange. The comment, delivered with a wry smile, showcased Swiatek’s ability to sidestep controversy while staying true to her unfiltered personality. “It was one of the weirdest matches I’ve played,” she said of her Keys victory, a sentiment that could easily apply to the press conference itself.
The exchange has fueled debate about the perceived disparities between the ATP and WTA. The ATP’s 2025 season has been marked by new faces like Draper, who won Indian Wells, and Jakub Mensik, a Miami Open champion, reflecting a lack of consistent dominance. The WTA, by contrast, has seen Swiatek, Sabalenka, and Gauff anchor the top ranks, though players like Mirra Andreeva and Ekaterina Alexandrova have claimed major titles. Swiatek’s reluctance to engage in the comparison may stem from her awareness of the question’s loaded nature, as some interpret such parallels as dismissive of the WTA’s competitive depth. “I’m just going to try to focus on the right things,” she’s said in past pressers, a mantra that kept her grounded amid the Madrid spotlight.
Swiatek’s Madrid campaign has been a testament to her resilience. After a first-round bye, she rallied past Alexandra Eala 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, then dominated Linda Noskova and Diana Shnaider, despite a second-set tiebreak hiccup against Shnaider (6-0, 6-7[5], 6-3). Her Keys match, where she overcame a rare bagel, underscored her mental strength, honed with sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz. “I’m super proud I was able to handle myself in such a difficult situation,” Swiatek said, a nod to her ability to reset after adversity. Her semi-final against Gauff, a rematch of their 2024 French Open clash where Swiatek leads 11-3, promises a clay-court spectacle.
Off the court, Swiatek’s authenticity resonates with fans. Her 2022 charity event for Ukraine, which raised over €500,000, and her 2025 Madame Tussauds Hot 100 nod for philanthropy highlight her impact beyond tennis. Yet, she remains grounded, enjoying AC/DC and Pink Floyd in her downtime. The “too stupid” quip, far from a misstep, has endeared her further, with fans on social media praising her for dodging a “trap” question. “Iga handled that like a pro,” one post read, reflecting sentiment that she avoided fueling a divisive narrative.
As Swiatek eyes a third Madrid final, her press conference moment serves as a reminder of her poise under pressure—whether facing a tricky forehand or a trickier question. With the Italian Open and French Open ahead, where she’s a four-time champion, Swiatek’s focus remains unwavering, proving that while she may jokingly call herself “stupid,” her game and instincts are anything but.
#Iga #Madrid2025 pic.twitter.com/SwPWukpWnJ
— 🎥 (@t15l_videos) April 30, 2025