Roland Garros Tournament - "Queen of Paris": Swiatek Follows Nadal's Footsteps
When Iga Swiatek's voice stumbled during her win speech on the grand stage, she got a whisper from Chris Evert and a comforting smile from Martina Navratilova. "I've gotten some advice from the experts, hopefully it'll go better now," the Polish player, who seemed a tad overwhelmed by the two tennis icons, responded.
However, on the court, Swiatek displayed a different side for two weeks: powerful, confident, unmerciful. This was evident in her outstanding 6-2, 6-1 victory over the hopeless outsider Jasmine Paolini from Italy. In a dominance that almost startled her rivals, the 23-year-old proclaimed herself the youngest four-time Grand Slam champion on clay. "There is only one queen of Paris!" wrote a Polish newspaper, "Fakt."
"For me, he is the best of the best, a true legend."
The comparisons to the famed clay court king Rafael Nadal have been enduring. Swiatek views these comparisons as slightly exaggerated: "For me, he is the best of the best, a true legend." Still, they make her "proud that my name is mentioned in the same breath as Nadal."
The five-time Grand Slam champion serves as her role model as well. "As a child, I admired how he looked and how he wielded so much energy," Swiatek once informed Tennis Magazine. Similar to Nadal in his prime, the world number one never lets go of her strategy, even during tricky moments, like when she faced a match point against Naomi Osaka in the second round.
"He's humble and has stayed the same person he was before he won so many titles."
Similarities with Nadal can also be found off the court. "He's a legend and an inspiration to me," Swiatek once stated. Stories about Swiatek share similarities with those about Nadal, who even after achieving so many titles remains humble and unchanged.
Undoubtedly, the world number one does not dismiss the idea of a long-lasting rule like Nadal's. "Who knows what the future will bring," Swiatek mused silently.
Swiatek surpasses Steffi Graf
The statistics and records are astounding. Swiatek's third straight French Open win joins Justine Henin (2005-2007) and Monica Seles (1990-1992) as the only trifectas achieved before her. Her 21 consecutive victories at Roland Garros eclipse even tennis royalty Steffi Graf in this area.
"I adore this place and can't wait to return here annually," Swiatek concluded her win speech on Court Philippe Chatrier. "We'll see you next year," she added, an ominous remark for her competitors.
Luckily, Swiatek has yet to surpass the quarterfinals at Wimbledon on grass.
