One of Iga Swiatek’s main feelings following her first grand slam victory in the Covid-ravaged French Championships in the fall of 2020 was bewilderment. She had many misgivings since her triumph had come as such a surprise and the wave of attention that followed was so intense. More than anybody else, she had to convince herself that her first victory was not an exception and that she was capable of becoming the winner on a regular basis.
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She has, I think, done a respectable job. Swiatek completed her third straight French Open championship and fourth overall on Saturday, easily defeating Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-1 in 68 minutes. This victory extended Swiatek’s reign of utter, unwavering domination in this tournament.
“I feel a lot of anxiety yesterday and this morning, so it was an intense win,” Swiatek remarked. “I knew I could overcome it if I would just concentrate on my tennis, and in the end, everything went just as I had hoped. I was thus rather pleased with myself.
The world No. 1 is staking her claim as one of the greatest clay-court athletes of all time and a future great with her new championship. She is also the youngest woman who has won the 4th French Open championship at age 23, two years younger compared to the prior record holder, Justine Henin. The records are infinite. At Roland Garros, she had a record of 35-2 (95%) and on clay, 84-10 (89%). This still feels, for some reason, like the start of her Parisian journey.
Paolini said playing against Swiatek here the hardest thing in tennis. “This is a different experience playing her,” she remarked. Even though she is only 23 years old, she has already won four titles. These figures are extraordinary; they are not typical. She is, in my opinion, an amazing player.
A change in the general record books is also shown by this triumph. Venus Williams, the seven-time winner, plays very infrequently. With five grand slam victories, Swiatek currently has the most majors amongst players who are usually active. She also ties Maria Sharapova as well as Martina Hingis for the most grand slam titles won in the open era.
Although Swiatek has won four titles on clay at Paris, she has won twelve of her twenty-two career titles on tennis courts with hard courts as well as has relished her 106 weeks near the top of the rankings. It’s just an issue of time till she increases her total somewhere else.
After trailing 2-5, 0-30 in the last set, Swiatek prevailed 7-6(1), 1-6, 7-5 to overcome a resurgent Naomi Osaka in an instant classic second-round match. This victory came just one point shy of Swiatek’s unstoppable run into the second week. She now stands among a limited group of athletes who overcame match point to win a major championship.
Swiatek sobbed uncontrollably at the gym as she warmed up following her near-accident, letting go of all the stress and strain. After gaining her composure, she focused on the remaining field and didn’t turn around. Despite Osaka’s 17 victories over Swiatek, the Polish player’s six other opponents together won 20 games.
Swiatek claimed that coming back from the situation to win the event gave her the confidence that she should always have faith in her abilities and that she can always rediscover her game of tennis, no matter what.
“I’ll always give it my all, regardless of the outcome. That’s how it will add up sometimes, and I’ll lose other times. However, giving it your all is always the best course of action since you can transform competitions into something similar and you have no regrets,” she remarked, gesturing to her prize.
Paolini was initially focused on staying on front of the baseline, hitting with her strong forehand and attempting to put Swiatek behind strain in what was by far the biggest event of her burgeoning career. She would almost literally throw herself forward at times in an attempt to reach the ball as it rose and get the early hit in the point. She took the lead 2-1 right away and calmed down.
Those happy times did not stay for very long. Paolini’s issue stems from Swiatek’s superior performance in nearly every aspect of her game. Although Paolini reached her first major final because to her outstanding topspin forehand, Swiatek has a heavier and more violent forehand. With a far superior backhand and serve, she is also a more skilled athlete and returner.
Swiatek annihilated her little opponent’s poor serve in the next service game, easily regaining the break. It would determine her approach to the situation for the duration of the match.
Paolini remarked, “I tried to play as best I could, but playing at that intensity is not easy.” In all my playing experiences, I have never encountered a player with such intensity.
Swiatek was fully at ease, but another opponent was forced to push themselves well beyond of their comfort zone. She controlled the rallies by manipulating Paolini off the court, flattening his serve, and producing free points with her own better serve. Swiatek stormed through ten straight games after falling behind 1-2 to win another title.
On the platform, the legendary Chris Evert stood next to Swiatek as she raised her award. With seven championships, Evert has held the women’s record here since 1986. It’s possible that won’t be the case by the time Swiatek’s career is done.
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