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First Edition of ‘Saudi Smash’ Championship 2024 Concludes

The Grand Smash 2024 World Table Tennis Championship, "Saudi Smash", was organized by the Saudi Table Tennis Federation, supervised by the Ministry of Sport, in cooperation with the World Table Tennis Organization (WTT) (File photo by SPA)
The Grand Smash 2024 World Table Tennis Championship, "Saudi Smash", was organized by the Saudi Table Tennis Federation, supervised by the Ministry of Sport, in cooperation with the World Table Tennis Organization (WTT) (File photo by SPA)
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First Edition of ‘Saudi Smash’ Championship 2024 Concludes

The Grand Smash 2024 World Table Tennis Championship, "Saudi Smash", was organized by the Saudi Table Tennis Federation, supervised by the Ministry of Sport, in cooperation with the World Table Tennis Organization (WTT) (File photo by SPA)
The Grand Smash 2024 World Table Tennis Championship, "Saudi Smash", was organized by the Saudi Table Tennis Federation, supervised by the Ministry of Sport, in cooperation with the World Table Tennis Organization (WTT) (File photo by SPA)

The Grand Smash 2024 World Table Tennis Championship, "Saudi Smash", which was organized by the Saudi Table Tennis Federation, supervised by the Ministry of Sport, in cooperation with the World Table Tennis Organization (WTT), concluded at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Assistant Minister of Sports for Sports Affairs Adwaa Al-Arifi crowned the Chinese player Wang Chuqin, ranked first in the world, with the men’s singles title, after defeating Patrick Franziska of Germany, ranked 16th in the world, with a score of 4-2. Wang now holds the distinction of being the first player to achieve three titles in the same tournament, SPA reported.
Chinese player Meng Chen, ranked fourth in the world, also secured victory in the women's singles title, after defeating the top-ranked player in the world, Yingsha Sun, with a score of 4-2. Meng Chen was presented with the championship cup by WTT Board Member Khalil Al-Muhannadi. Chen solidified her position in the world rankings, moving up from the runner-up position.
“Saudi Smash” is part of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to promote the concept of sporting excellence and encourage a healthy lifestyle among citizens, while also showcasing the Kingdom’s capabilities in hosting major sporting events.

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Swiatek Surprised at ‘Such Harsh Judgements’ After Indian Wells Ball Boy Incident 

Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Swiatek Surprised at ‘Such Harsh Judgements’ After Indian Wells Ball Boy Incident 

Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

World number two Iga Swiatek said she was not proud of the way she vented her frustration at Indian Wells, where she nearly hit a ball boy after smashing a ball into the ground, but added that she did not expect to receive "such harsh judgements".

The five-times Grand Slam champion was criticized heavily over the incident, which occurred during her 7-6(1) 1-6 6-3 semi-final defeat by eventual champion Mirra Andreeva on Friday.

"It's true - I expressed frustration in a way I'm not proud of. My intention was never to aim the ball at anyone but merely to release my frustration by bouncing it on the ground," Swiatek posted on Instagram on Monday.

"I immediately apologized to the ball boy, we made eye contact, and nodded to each other when I expressed regret that it happened near him.

"I've seen many players bounce balls in frustration, and frankly, I didn't expect such harsh judgements."

Swiatek added that the second half of last year was extremely challenging for her. She accepted a one-month suspension in November having tested positive for banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ).

"When I'm highly focused and don't show many emotions on court, I'm called a robot, my attitude labelled as inhuman. Now that I'm more expressive, showing feelings or struggling internally, I'm suddenly labelled immature or hysterical," Swiatek said.

"That's not a healthy standard - especially considering that just six months ago, I felt my career was hanging by a thread, spent three weeks crying daily, and didn't want to step on the court."