Iga Swiatek explains her red dress at WTA Finals Cancun's all-white player party
As it turns out, the world No. 2 did get the dress code memo, but still found a way to inadvertently stand out from the rest of the field.
Cancun and white parties go hand in hand, but it seems like Iga Swiatek didn’t get the memo. Or rather, she did get the memo—but the 22-year-old still found a way to inadvertently stand out from the pack at the WTA Finals Cancun.
The world No. 2 turned heads on Friday at the season-ending event’s draw ceremony and pre-tournament photo shoot—and not just because of her dress’ stunning open-back detail and floral applique. While the rest of the Elite 8 opted for outfits in shades of white, Swiatek stood out in a long-sleeved red dress by Polish designer Magda Butrym.
But it was all a miscommunication, Swiatek told Tennis Channel, speaking with Steve Weissman and CoCo Vandeweghe on Monday after her 7-6 (3), 6-0 opening victory against Marketa Vondrousova in the round robin stage. (Video above)
“Honestly there was no story!” she laughed. “I picked that dress a couple of months before, and then the WTA emailed us that we should all wear white. And we were like, really? We’re not getting married or something?
“So we asked them if it’s possible to maybe not have that rule. And they literally sent an email a few hours later saying that it’s okay, you can wear whatever you want.
“I think the rest of the girls… maybe they thought the rule was still on or something? But I’m not sure. I think it was honestly a full coincidence... I didn’t know I’m going to be the only one.”
In fact, Swiatek said, she conducted an informal poll of the locker room the day before the draw ceremony and was told only four players had chosen a white dress. However, when it came time to step out for the tournament’s signature group photo, she found herself the odd woman out: All other seven singles players had gone the all-white route, though the doubles group photo featured a more colorful palette.
Swiatek took it all in stride, however, and used the opportunity to spotlight the dress’ Polish designer Butrym and its ‘Mexican vibe’.
“I didn’t want to make a big fuss about my dress or anything, but I’m happy that I picked this one because it’s from a Polish fashion designer. I loved it from the beginning, from the first time I saw it. And it’s also a little bit of a Mexican vibe, with the red.
“I think it was a nice choice! And it’s also the first time I wear something that’s so (fitted).”
Roland Garros champion Swiatek kicked off her Cancun campaign with a 7-6 (3), 6-0 victory against Wimbledon winner Vondrousova after rallying from a 2-5 deficit in the opening set. The Pole sits at No. 2 in the Chetumal Group, trailing Coco Gauff after the American’s 6-1, 6-0 rout of Ons Jabeur sent her to the top. Swiatek, the No. 2 seed, faces No. 3 seed Gauff on Wednesday.