If women’s No. 1 Iga Swiatek keeps improving, look out
PARIS — Iga Swiatek’s first Grand Slam title came at the French Open in October 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic forced the tournament to shift from its usual May-june spot on the calendar and limited the number of spectators in Court Philippe Chatrier to 1,000.
She was just 19 at the time, ranked outside the top 50, in possession of zero tour-level titles before that triumph. And as Swiatek thinks back now to that moment in time, she describes the whole thing this way: “Lucky.”
Which is quite different from how Swiatek views — and should view — what she accomplished Saturday, not only by claiming her second major trophy, and second at Roland Garros, with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over American teenager Coco Gauff in the final before 15,000 fans, but by carrying the “baggage” of the No. 1 ranking and a winning streak that has now reached 35 matches.
“In 2020, the main thing that I felt was confusion, because I (had) never really believed 100% that I can actually win a Grand Slam,” she said. “This time it was pure work.”
Work to improve her game.
Work to stay focused and shut out the noise.
Work to handle the pressure of being the favorite every time out on the court.
“I try to lean on the strengths and the things that I have (that are) better, maybe,” said Swiatek, who turned 21 on Tuesday.
Swiatek has won the past six tournaments she’s entered. She is 44-3 this season. She has won 56 of her past 58 sets.
Now the circuit moves to slicker grass, with Wimbledon starting on June 27.
“It’s just the beginning of this journey. We have much more to do,” her coach, Tomasz Wiktorowski said. “And every single tournament just brings us new information. We want to keep an eye on (her) strengths, and we will try to develop other tools.”
Which other tools? There do not seem too many gaps in her repertoire, in terms of skills, strategy or state of mind.
“There is always something to improve, honestly. I’m still not, like, a complete player,” Swiatek said.