Katie Boulter came over to Poland’s bench for a chat with Iga Swiatek (Image: Tennis TV)
refused to reveal what she spoke to about following their three-hour thriller at the United Cup.
The British No. 1 caused all sorts of trouble for the five-time Major winner as they faced off in the second match of the Poland vs GB quarter-final but Swiatek still came out on top.
Afterwards, they had a discussion at the net and another chat at their team benches. But the world No. 2 wouldn’t share the details.
On the second day of 2025, Swiatek and Boulter played what could go down as one of the matches of the year. The 23-year-old needed two hours and 57 minutes to win 6-7(4) 6-1 6-4, saving break points at 4-4 in the decider.
The momentum kept swinging during the match and Swiatek was clearly struggling at times, doubling over to catch her breath and taking a medical time out, later revealing she needed four painkillers.
But she got the job done, breaking in the final game to clinch victory and seal Poland’s spot in this weekend’s semi-final.
The pair shared an embrace at the net at the end of the match, though there was still something to talk about as Boulter came over to the Polish team bench to speak to Swiatek.
Iga Swiatek booked Poland’s spot in the United Cup semi-final (Image: Getty)
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The world No. 2 was asked what was said at the end of the match, replying: “Well, I said, you know, that it was a great show and great match. I wouldn’t say it was long.”
Swiatek was also quizzed over their second chat at the bench but she didn’t want to give anything away. “Well, I’ll keep it private,” she added.
The 23-year-old also shut down suggestions that she took a medical time-out to ruin Boulter’s momentum. Swiatek’s time out came as soon as she was broken by Boulter but, when she returned, she showed her best tennis again.
But she refuted the idea that she expected momentum to change following her medical break. Swiatek continued: “No, I wasn’t expecting that. I didn’t take medical timeout to throw Katie off her game.
“I did it because I had to and I didn’t feel well. But I took some, you know, painkillers, and they started working pretty quickly. I was able to move a bit better.
“But yeah, I felt that she got distracted a bit. She missed some shots right after the break, but it wasn’t my intention, obviously, like, I don’t do these kind of things to do it tactically. It was just that I needed it. So yeah.”
The world No. 2 also confirmed that she had been feeling it physically during her on-court interview. “I took like four painkillers because also a lot hurt but I’m happy that we won and for sure I’m going to need the day off tomorrow,” she said.
Asked whether she’d be on the team bench to watch the mixed doubles, Swiatek joked: “If they give me space to maybe lie down there and maybe take a nap I’ll be there. I can’t focus anyway. I think I’ll go to the locker room and just die!”
Team Poland will be back in action against Kazakhstan in the semi-final. It means Swiatek will likely face world No. 6 in the women’s singles rubber.