Is it a superstition, a guilty pleasure, or just Iga being Iga?
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has once again sparked playful controversy after being caught on camera slipping a tournament towel into her bag following her Wimbledon match. Fans were quick to noticeâand even quicker to reactâwhen eagle-eyed viewers zoomed in on footage showing the Polish tennis star sneakily folding up the now-iconic Wimbledon purple-and-green towel with a grin on her face.
This isnât the first time Swiatekâs love for towels has made headlines. In fact, sheâs developed something of a reputation among tennis followers as the sportâs unofficial âTowel Bandit.â Whether itâs Roland Garros or the grass courts of SW19, if thereâs a beautifully branded towel nearby, thereâs a good chance itâll disappear the moment Swiatek walks off court.
âIga strikes again! No towel is safe,â one fan joked on X (formerly Twitter), accompanied by a freeze-frame of the moment she stashed it away. Another chimed in, âForget trophies, sheâs collecting towels like PokĂ©mon cards.â
To be fair, Swiatek isnât the only tennis star with a fondness for the sportâs most coveted swag. Wimbledon towels, in particular, have become a hot item for both players and fans alike. Still, Swiatekâs habit has now become something of a lighthearted legendâand sheâs clearly in on the joke.
When asked about it last year, Swiatek laughed and confessed: âTheyâre just⊠really nice towels. And also, great memories.â
Her fans agree. With her down-to-earth charm and quiet rebellious streak, Iga has turned something as mundane as a towel into part of her mystique. Some even suspect the towels have become a lucky charm of sortsâafter all, she tends to win whenever she nabs one.
The latest âincidentâ has only deepened the legend. While thereâs no official Wimbledon rule forbidding players from taking towels (many actually do), itâs the stealthy way Iga handles itâwith a mischievous smile and a look over the shoulderâthat has fans howling with amusement.
Whether itâs part of her ritual, a souvenir hoarding habit, or simply Iga being her cheeky, towel-loving self, one thingâs for sureâno towel is safe when Swiatek is around.
And honestly? We wouldnât have it any other way.