Danielle Collins faced criticism from tennis fans for taking an extended toilet break during her third-round match against Iga Swiatek at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships on July 5. The American’s lengthy pause followed a swift first set loss in a match that stirred debate due to the players’ previous clashes and accusations of gamesmanship.
The match, held on Centre Court, saw Poland’s Iga Swiatek overpower Collins with a 6-2, 6-3 win to advance to the fourth round. The first set finished within 35 minutes, after which Collins took a seven-minute restroom break before returning to the court. This unusually long delay caught the attention of many fans on X (formerly Twitter), who expressed their frustration online.
“Collins 7 minute toilet break after a 35 minute set but no one will talk about it because her name isn’t Iga Swiatek,” a fan wrote.
Swiatek, a former World No. 1 and five-time Grand Slam champion, has previously been accused of employing delay tactics to unsettle opponents. However, this time, the criticism centered on Collins for taking such an extended break. Fans highlighted perceived inconsistencies in how officials and audiences react depending on the player involved.
“And Iga never complains when others call a break, but haters never talk about that,” another fan wrote.
“She also took a long time tying her shoelaces on Swiatek’s service game,” commented another.
“Ooh well, different treatment for different player!,” another fan chimed in.
“Preach. If it were the other way round we won’t hear a word,” weighed in yet another fan.
Some fans resorted to expressing their discontent through memes and GIFs, further fueling the online debate about fairness in player conduct and officiating.
Swiatek reflects on improving comfort on grass courts after defeating Collins
Following her victory over Danielle Collins, Iga Swiatek addressed the media during a post-match press conference, highlighting her growing confidence on Wimbledon’s grass courts. Despite grass being her least favored surface, Swiatek acknowledged progress in adapting her game and mindset to compete effectively at SW19.
“I am very pleased with my level of play, I believe I am reaching the consistency level that I have been seeking for a while, and I feel more comfortable on grass than in previous years. Having more time available to train and compete on this surface is crucial, but also being able to focus solely on point-by-point play. I try to maintain no expectations and adapt to all situations that arise during the matches,” Swiatek said.
Swiatek is set to meet Clara Tauson in the fourth round, aiming to build on her solid performance as the tournament progresses.
Implications of the break controversy and upcoming challenges
The backlash over Danielle Collins’ lengthy toilet break has reignited discussions about the treatment of players and rules enforcement at Wimbledon, particularly how different competitors are perceived and policed. This incident may prompt tournament officials to examine policies related to on-court breaks to ensure fairness and consistency. Meanwhile, Collins’ early exit concludes her 2025 Wimbledon campaign, while Swiatek’s path forward looks promising as she adapts and strengthens her game on grass.