“Proud of myself that I didn’t stop,” Iga Swiatek credits thrilling win against Naomi Osaka for boosting her confidence to win Roland Garros 2024

Swiatek gives herself a pat on the back for enduring the Osaka test.

“Proud of myself that I didn’t stop,” Iga Swiatek credits thrilling win against Naomi Osaka for boosting her confidence to win Roland Garros 2024

Iga Swiatek credits win over Naomi Osaka as the boost for 2024 Roland Garros win (Via Imago)

World No.1 Iga Swiatek was almost knocked out in the second round of the French Open,
her favorite tournament, by Naomi Osaka who has made an unbelievable comeback after a
long hiatus. Swiatek saved a match point in the final set on Osaka’s serve and has not look
back since.

After that match, in her last five rounds at Roland Garros, Swiatek dropped a total of just 17
games. In doing so, she also won her third consecutive French Open and the third consecutive
title in the last two months.

YouTube video

In her post-match interview, she credited herself for not giving up
when everything seemed to be going against her in the match against Osaka. She feels that
was a turning point for her as it made her play more fearlessly in the next rounds.

FS Video

Even though I was really close to being out of it against Naomi in the second round, I just survived that match and then it went… I played with huge confidence. I’m really proud of myself that I didn’t stop and pressure didn’t squeeze me down. I think this one was the most similar to 2022. I knew what I was going for and I knew I had the game to win it.

Iga Swiatek during on-court interview after the final

After defeating Jasmine Paolini in straight sets in the final, Swiatek likened the win to her
2022 French Open final against Coco Gauff, where the scoreline was similar. In that edition
too, Swiatek dropped just one set en route to the title and won the other matches with almost
no trouble.

Iga Swiatek follows Carlos Alcaraz in shattering records at the French Open

Yesterday, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest man ever to reach the final of a Grand Slam on all three surfaces, trumping a record previously held by Andre Agassi. Ever since he turned pro, he has achieved amazing things but Swiatek’s achievements are just as commendable.

Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek
Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek (Via Imago)

After winning the final at Roland Garros today, she became the only woman other than Monica Seles and Justine Henin to win three consecutive French Open titles in the open era. She is also the youngest player since Steffi Graf in 1990 to reach the finals of four editions of this Grand Slam.

Swiatek had been hailed as ‘The Queen of Clay’ by media and fans alike. Although she thinks she is not worthy of the title yet, she is inching toward Rafael Nadal-like greatness at the French Open, having won 35 of the 37 matches she played there.

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