Poland’s tennis star rules the French Open with dominance and humility. She thinks comparisons with Rafael Nadal are exaggerated, but they also flatter her. The numbers and records are breathtaking.
When Iga Swiatek’s voice faltered during her victory speech on the big Grand Slam stage, Chris Evert whispered something in her ear and Martina Navratilova gave her an encouraging smile. “I got a few tips from the pros, hopefully things will be better now,” said the Pole, who seemed almost a little intimidated surrounded by the two tennis icons.
On the court, however, the top favorite at the French Open showed a completely different side of herself for two weeks: dominant, confident, merciless. This was also the case in her impressive 6:2, 6:1 final victory against the hopeless outsider Jasmine Paolini from Italy. In a dominance that was almost frightening for the competition, the 23-year-old crowned herself the youngest four-time winner at a Grand Slam tournament on clay. “There is only one Queen of Paris!” wrote the Polish newspaper “Fakt”.
“For me he stands above all others, he is a total legend”
It’s no wonder that parallels have long been drawn with the great clay court king Rafael Nadal. Swiatek thinks the comparisons with the 14-time French Open winner are somewhat exaggerated: “For me, he stands above everyone, he is a total legend.” But it is “cool” and makes her “proud that I am mentioned in the same sentence as Nadal.”
It flatters the now five-time Grand Slam tournament winner so much because the Spaniard is her role model. “When I was young, I loved the way he looked and the energy with which he played,” Swiatek once told “Tennis Magazine.” Just like Nadal in his best days, the world number one doesn’t let difficult moments, such as when she had match point against Naomi Osaka in the second round, throw her off course.
“We will see in 14 years whether the journey will be similar”
And there is another thing in common with Nadal. “He is modest and has remained the same guy he was before he won so many titles,” said Swiatek. People from the tennis circus say similar things about Swiatek, who, despite her great successes, appears without airs and graces. In her victory speech, for example, she did not forget to wish the defeated Paolini good luck for her doubles final on Sunday.
Swiatek, who had previously won the prestigious Masters 1000 tournaments on clay in Madrid and Rome, does not want to rule out a reign as long as Nadal’s in Paris: “We will see in 14 years whether the journey will be similar.”
Swiatek outstrips Steffi Graf
The numbers and records are already breathtaking. For Swiatek, it was her third consecutive triumph at the Stade Roland Garros, something only two other players in the tournament’s history had achieved before: the Belgian Justine Henin (2005 to 2007) and the Serbian Monica Seles (1990 to 1992). With her 21st consecutive victory in a French Open match, she also surpassed tennis icon Steffi Graf in this category.
“I love this place and can’t wait to come here every year,” said Swiatek, concluding her victory speech on Court Philippe Chatrier with the words: “Thank you, see you next year.” It must have sounded like a threat to her competitors.
The good news for Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka and Co. is: At Wimbledon on grass, Swiatek has not yet made it past the quarterfinals.
Source: Stern
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