Tennis isn’t just a game of winners and losers — it’s a battlefield of egos, and in Rome, it just got volcanic. After Danielle Collins pulled off a stunning upset over Iga Swiatek, instead of basking in praise, she found herself fighting for a little basic recognition. Enter Serena Williams’ former coach Rennae Stubbs — and things escalated fast.
Stubbs didn’t sugarcoat a thing. While many expected her to throw flowers at Collins, she went straight for Swiatek, calling the Pole’s performance “horrific” — a word you don’t just drop lightly about the world No. 1. Forget finesse — this was a verbal backhand to the reigning queen of clay.
Meanwhile, Collins was left raising an eyebrow at the silence. A win over Swiatek should have triggered headlines and highlight reels. Instead? Crickets. The American didn’t hide her frustration, pointing out the tennis world’s tendency to downplay her victories as mere off-days for her opponents.
It’s a double whammy: Swiatek gets slammed, and Collins gets snubbed. Stubbs’ criticism cuts through the noise — is the shine wearing off Swiatek’s aura? And is Collins finally tired of being the underrated wrecking ball?
One thing’s clear: the Rome upset wasn’t just a scoreboard shock — it cracked open deeper tensions about respect, recognition, and reputation. If Swiatek wants to stay on the throne, she might need more than spin and stamina. And Collins? She’s done waiting for applause.
Game on. Gloves off.
