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World No 1 Iga Swiatek Becomes Fourth Woman to Win 4 French Open Titles
World No 1 Iga Swiatek made history at Roland Garros by becoming the fourth woman in the Open era to win 4 French Open singles titles, joining the ranks of Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, and Justine Henin. Swiatek dispatched Jasmine Paolini in straight sets on Saturday to secure her latest victory.
Reflecting on her journey, Swiatek shared, “I honestly learned that I can make it because, at the beginning, when eight weeks ago I went to Fed Cup and then I didn’t come back home for all these weeks. I was like ‘Oh my god, this!’ But, here I am, and honestly, I think I learned that if I enjoy life off the court, I really enjoyed being in Madrid, Rome, and here.”
Swiatek is now also the first player to achieve 3 successive women’s titles in Paris since Henin in 2007, joining Monica Seles who accomplished this feat from 1990-1992.
Throughout the tournament, Swiatek faced challenges and expressed, “I’m really proud of myself because the expectations have been pretty high from the outside. I’m a perfectionist, so there is always pressure behind me. But I think I’m fine with handling my own pressure.”
Swiatek almost exited the tournament early, even facing a match point against Naomi Osaka in the 2nd round. However, she displayed a remarkable level of focus and resilience that carried her through to yet another title.
The 23-year old Pole now boasts the same number of French Open titles as Rafael Nadal had at the same age. Swiatek’s dominance not only in Paris but also on clay courts sets her apart, and she is now looking towards potentially transitioning her skills to grass courts effectively.
Looking ahead, Swiatek shared her thoughts on the upcoming grass court season, saying, “I’ll just see and I’ll work hard to play better there.” She acknowledged the differences in the game on grass compared to clay and is gearing up for the challenge.
In the final against Paolini, Swiatek showcased her superior skills and mentality to secure a decisive victory. Despite early challenges, Swiatek’s determination and consistent play proved too much for her opponent as she clinched the title in a remarkable display of tennis prowess.
Paolini, while experiencing defeat in the final, acknowledged her growth throughout the tournament and reflected on the importance of consistency in her game.
Swiatek’s remarkable winning streak and unwavering performance in Paris solidify her status as a force to be reckoned with in the world of tennis. As she looks to the future, Swiatek’s continuous improvement and dedication to her craft promise more success on the horizon.
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