Hindrance? Gamesmanship? Is Iga Swiatek's arm waving in San Diego Open final against Donna Vekic legal?

Iga Swiatek was brilliant again in San Diego, winning her eighth title of a dominant season. But her victory over Donna Vekic in the final was not without a moment of controversy. Ad Trailing 3-2 in the second set and behind 15-40 on serve, Swiatek raced to the net to chase down a short ball.

She flicked it back into play but left it short and in the middle of the court. As Vekic came up to play the ball, Swiatek waved both arms above her head. Tennis'Pure Roger' — Alcaraz compared to Federer, Nadal and Djokovic by Mouratoglou2 HOURS AGO Whether the motion put off Vekic is unclear.

She hit the next shot within Swiatek’s reach but then passed her with a brilliant forehand to win the game. Swiatek did not receive any warning from the umpire – but did receive criticism on social media, with many pointing out that this is not the first time the world No. 1 has turned to this tactic.

There were two occasions at the US Open this summer when Swiatek did the same. In the final against Ons Jabeur she left a short ball after a volley and, as she moved across the court to anticipate the next shot, she spread both her hands. In the third round of the tournament, with Lauren Davis leading 2-0 in the second set and the score at 30-30, Swiatek was at the net and appeared to try and put her opponent off by waving her hands in the air.

Although the move didn’t work as Davis put away the short ball to win the point, Eurosport expert John McEnroe said: “I don’t know about that. I don’t think that’s legal…that is a little bit below the belt. “The last time I saw that was when I was playing in 1986 I believe and [Mansour] Bahrami came in and served, and put his hands wide open and said, ‘Hit me’.