"Iga Swiatek will get criticized if she did that" - Fans call out Amanda Anisimova's 'weird' and 'shady' mid-set bathroom break at WTA Finals

Amanda Anisimova and Iga Swiatek were locked in a fierce battle in their final group-stage match at the WTA Finals in Riyadh when the American took an unexpected break in the middle of a set.

Anisimova took a toilet break just before Swiatek's serve, the timing of which sparked controversy. According to the WTA rulebook, a player is allowed one toilet break during a match. The break must be taken between sets and should not be used for any other purpose, such as changing clothes, cooling down, or addressing medical reasons.

If a player requests a toilet break at any other time, the chair umpire has the discretion to grant an "emergency toilet break." The opponent must not warm up during that time.

Anisimova's actions sparked a flurry of reactions from fans on social media.

"Shady tactics? Anisimova went to the bathroom mid set today, right before Iga's serve," one fan wrote.

"Why is there a break in a match in a middle of a set? Imagine Iga taking a bathroom break before an opponent's serve. Novels would have been written about it," another fan added.

"Did Amanda just go to the bathroom mid set?? before Iga’s service game?" one fan wrote.

"That's so weird. Iga will get criticized if she is the one who did that," one fan commented.

"(Andrea Petkovic) Petko was also very surprised that the umpire allowed that," one fan said.

"Did Amanda just go to the toilet in the middle of the set? Before Iga serves? WTAF?" another fan said.

Iga Swiatek crashes out of WTA Finals after losing to Amanda Anisimova

Iga Swiatek started her WTA Finals campaign with an easy win against Madison Keys. She looked in good touch against Elena Rybakina in her second group stage match, but things unraveled in the second and third sets. Rybakina dominated the World No. 2 in the final two sets to win the match and push Swiatek to the brink of elimination.

Her match against Anisimova was a virtual quarterfinal, as she needed to win to advance from the group. However, the Pole ended up losing 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2, ending her stay in Riyadh.