“She’s extremely difficult to beat,” John McEnroe explains what sets Iga Swiatek apart from her opponents on clay

McEnroe observed that Swiatek is still a learner when it comes to the grass courts, but on clay, other players cannot match her intensity. 

“She’s extremely difficult to beat,” John McEnroe explains what sets Iga Swiatek apart from her opponents on clay

John McEnroe, Iga Swiatek (Images via Imago/X)

What are the qualities that set Iga Swiatek apart from her rivals on the clay court? Former tennis player John McEnroe listed out some of those qualities and is expecting some big achievements from the Pole in the future. 

The seven-time Grand Slam champion said Swiatek’s movement and her understanding of the game have made her a force to be reckoned with on the red dirt. McEnroe also thinks that Swiatek’s movement is much better than many male players. 

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She’s a natural mover on clay. She gets in and out of the corners better than any player, including most male players, too. She just has an understanding of the court and a comfort level that players don’t have in the game, naturally. 
John McEnroe told Eurosport 

McEnroe observed that Swiatek is still a learner when it comes to the grass courts, but on clay, other players cannot match her intensity. 

Off the ground, she can take the ball early. She can play defense when she needs to. So, she’s extremely difficult to beat.
John McEnroe added 

Swiatek, the 2023 Roland Garros champion, is two steps away from joining Justine Henin to become a player in the Open Era with four French Open titles, surpassing players like Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Monica Seles, and Serena Williams. 

John McEnroe is expecting Iga Swiatek to win a few more Roland Garros titles 

Iga Swiatek, 23, has three Roland Garros in her trophy cabinet, and she is aiming for the fourth one this season. She came to Paris after winning two events on the surface in Madrid and Rome. Her fourth title in the French capital will make her the first woman to win trophies in Madrid, Rome, and Paris, since Serena Williams in 2013. 

Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek (Image via Imago)

John McEnroe pointed out how, when Bjorn Borg won six French Open titles, nobody might have anticipated that a player would come to dominate on the surface and would eventually break the record with 14 titles. The former World No.1 also doesn’t want to rule out the possibility of Swiatek breaking records like her idol Rafael Nadal. 

It’d be surprising if she didn’t win three or four more of them at least. We’ll see what happens.
John McEnroe said 

Notably, Chris Evert and Steffi Graf are in first and second spots with seven and six titles respectively. Evert, in an interview, even said Swiatek has the ability to break her record.

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