PARIS: Iga Swiatek, the world number one, is confidently gearing up to become only the fourth woman in the Open era to win four Roland Garros singles titles. She also aims to be the first to secure three consecutive women’s titles in Paris since Justine Henin in 2007.
Swiatek arrives in Paris as a strong favorite, following her dominant clay season with victories in the WTA 1000 events in Madrid and Rome. The only female player to achieve the Madrid-Rome-Roland Garros treble in the same season is Serena Williams.
Despite the pressure, Swiatek remains unfazed. “I’m number one, so I’m the favorite everywhere if you look at rankings,” she stated after defeating second-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the Rome Open final. “But rankings don’t play. I’ll take it step by step and see what happens.”
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At 22, Swiatek is already making history with her four WTA 1000 titles this season, bringing her career total to 10, just 13 short of Serena Williams’ record. With four Grand Slam titles, she knows the challenge of winning major tournaments. “Grand Slams are different. There’s different pressure on and off the court,” she noted.
Swiatek aspires to join Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, and Henin as four-time winners of the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen in the Open era. Her primary rival is Sabalenka, who narrowly lost to Swiatek in a thrilling Madrid final and seeks redemption in Paris.
Sabalenka, the two-time reigning Australian Open champion, has consistently reached the semi-finals in the past six Grand Slams. Despite her 8-3 losing record against Swiatek, she remains optimistic. “No matter how many times I lose, I know I can get that win,” she said.
Elena Rybakina, the only player to beat Swiatek on clay this year, and US Open champion Coco Gauff, who lost the 2022 French Open final to Swiatek, are also strong contenders. Gauff, playing her first major as a 20-year-old, aims to improve on her previous performance in Paris.
Swiatek’s quest for her fourth French Open title and a place in history promises an exciting tournament ahead.
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