Stunned Clara Tauson had three-word reaction to upsetting Iga Swiatek in Montreal

When Clara Tauson stunned the tennis world in Montreal by defeating reigning Wimbledon champion and world No. 3 Iga Świątek, she was at a loss for words—in the most delightful way. Asked how it felt to finally beat Świątek after three previous losses, the 22-year-old Dane simply replied: “Unreal. Totally unreal.” Three words that perfectly captured the mix of disbelief, triumph, and joy of that moment.

It wasn’t just the words, but the whole performance that made this an unforgettable upset. Tauson turned heads with a composed yet powerful display, closing out a convincing 7-6(1), 6-3 victory in the round of 16 at the WTA 1000 event in Montreal. Conditions were tricky—windy and unpredictable—but Tauson dialed in, delivering big serves and steady baseline play that overwhelmed Świątek.

Świątek herself admitted she was her own worst enemy that day, racking up unforced errors—an eye-watering 46 in total, 25 from her forehand—and acknowledging that she simply couldn’t solve the puzzle Tauson presented on court.

For Tauson, this wasn’t just another win—it was a breakthrough. Before Montreal, she had never beaten Świątek, with a 0-3 head-to-head record including losses at Wimbledon. Overcoming such a mental hurdle, especially against someone who had dominated her in the past, makes her reaction—“Unreal. Totally unreal”—all the more human and relatable.

And the emotional charge didn’t stop there: between that phenomenal victory and her next match, she received news that her grandfather had passed away. She dedicated her next win—against Madison Keys—to him, visibly moved during the post-match interview, saying, “I really wanted to win for him today.”

So, what’s at the heart of this story? It’s more than an upset—it’s a moment of human vulnerability, strength, and resolve. Tauson’s three-word reaction reminds us that sometimes, the most genuine, heartfelt sentiments are the simplest—and those are the ones that stick with us.