Competing in her seventh major tournament, 19-year-old Polish Iga Swiatek surprised the tennis world by winning the first WTA title at Roland Garros last October. Iga beat Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-4, 6-1 in the title match, finishing the tournament without losing a set to become the first Polish champion to win a Slam.
Iga lost 23 games in the first six meetings to achieve one of the most notable results for Paris in the Open era, including a dominating 6-1, 6-2 triumph over Simona Halep in under 70 minutes. !
Showing 32 breaks, Iga grabbed 70% of return games before the final and maintained that level against Kenin to become the first champion without losing a set in Paris since Justine Henin in 2007.
Iga Swiatek paid tribute to Rafael Nadal.
Thanks to these points, Iga entered the top 20 and became the youngest Roland Garros champion since Monica Seles in 1992 and the first teenager to lift the crown in Paris since Iva Majoli in 1997!
During the fortnight, Swiatek made no secret of his support for his favorite player and Roland Garros legend Rafael Nadal, wishing him to win the title, which Rafa did in style to join Iga on the podium.
Recently, the Polish woman once again praised the Spaniard, saying that he is her idol and that she has her autographed T-shirt hanging on her wall at home.
“I love Rafa Nadal; I have his T-shirt with his signature on my wall and the calendar with Rafa. He’s my idol. He’s humble and stayed the same guy he was before even after winning so many titles.
I didn’t watch tennis a lot when I was younger. The only player that fascinated me was Rafael Nadal. I guess I copied my style of play from him. I like hitting balls with a lot of spin.
My first trainer also told me that it is unusual for a girl to play with effects like this. He advised me to devote myself to it because one day it will be a great strength. “
“Since I have known Rafael Nadal as a player and as a person, I respect him even more. He is humble and he remained the same man as before. When I was young, I liked his looks and the energy with which he plays, ”said Iga Swiatek.
Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have all decided not to participate in the first Masters 1000 of the season, the Masters 1000 in Miami, the 3 legends will be back on the clay circuit which will start in Europe, Rafa will try consolidate his title of king of clay and add a new Roland Garros title to further anchor his legend in Paris, while Federer will take the opportunity to resume the game and prepare for Wimbledon.
Novak for his part will be able to reduce the gap between him and the other two rivals if he wins the internationals of France.
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