"I can't control it, but I hope it will never happen again" - Swiatek on distracting opponents

Iga Swiatek has used 2022 to full establish herself as the dominant force in woman's tennis with eight singles titles - including two Grand Slams - and a win/loss record of 64/8.

Granted, the shock retirement of Ash Barty after her home Slam win at the Australian Open, left a hole in women's tennis and many feared the WTA would suffer after the loss of a genuine superstar in the making.

But Swiatek has embraced that gap in the market and has won fans all around the globe with her swashbuckling tennis game and seemingly kind demeanour off the court.

But she has recently received criticism for what many tennis commentators call 'hinderance.'

During her last triumph at the San Diego Open, there was a moment in the comeback win against Donna Vekic where, after reaching a drop shot, Swiatek waved both hands in a star-like motion as Vekic was about to play her shot.

It's a motion and movement that Swiatek has done before, including at the US Open when she was criticised by American legend John McEnroe.

And now the Polish 21-year-old has opened up about the claims that she is intentionally trying to disrupt her opponents.

She told Polish website Sport.PL: "I can't control it, but I hope it will never happen again. We are working on it. It is a stress reaction to what is happening. It is an involuntary reaction. I did it during the US Open, and as I recall it was a stressful moment.

"In San Diego, I did it unconsciously. Right after the game I approached Donna and apologized. She had no hard feelings, it turned out she didn't recall this at all. I hope fans will understand me as well. I'm aware of the many negative comments on the internet concerning this incident.

"I'm not proud of the fact, that sometimes I'm not in control of what I do on the court. It's a purely instinctual behaviour. Maybe I've seen one too many football games, and taken notice of what goalies do during penalty shots."