Reigning women’s singles champion Iga Swiatek has vowed to steal more towels as she returns to SW19. Swiatek thrashed Amanda Anisimova 6-0 6-0 in the 2025 final but her remarkable run coincided with her being dubbed the ‘Wimbledon towel thief’. Swiatek was accused of stuffing towels into her bag during the tournament, eventually getting caught red-handed. The topic came up again ahead of a first-round meeting with Taylor Townsend and the reigning champ joked that she has no intention of slowing down when it comes to the behaviour that earned her the new nickname.
“Let’s start with the fact that I don’t have any towels left from last year,” Swiatek said. “My friends want it, my family want it. I gave it to some charity because the thing became viral obviously. So I guess I should steal even more. Yeah, I will continue that because that’s the best kind of souvenir you can get from a tournament.”
The 25-year-old was then asked about a new limited-edition red towel introduced at Wimbledon this year. After receiving confirmation it wasn’t an on-court towel, she smiled and said: “I’ll ask for it anyway.”
Swiatek defended taking the towels last year, having admitted she found the scrutiny “a bit humiliating”. “When I look back in 30 years, Wimbledon is going to be the best venue you can get, and I just like them, you know,” she added. “The Wimbledon towels are of the best quality after you wash them. I use them daily in Warsaw, so I can recommend them.”
As for on-court matters, she said it was “exciting” to be coming back as a defending champion. However, no player has successfully defended the women’s singles title since Serena Williams in 2017.
Williams has been absent from SW19 since 2022, when she made the decision to step away from tennis. However, this year’s tournament will be her first appearance in any Grand Slam in the best part of four years, with the American – back in the main draw at the age of 44 – potentially facing Swiatek in the third round if both players avoid an early exit.
“I think there were players that won this tournament that already have won many tournaments and Grand Slams,” Swiatek said. “Why particularly it’s hard to repeat that, I have no idea. I can’t answer that question. Sorry.”
Discussing her own title defence, she added: “I feel proud of what happened last year. My dream came true kind of. Not even a dream because I didn’t dream that because I thought it was impossible. It feels great.
“On the other hand, I’m here because of the next tournament. I need to also stay present.”