2023-06-11 23:10:05
When Iga Swiatek shook the “Coupe Suzanne Lenglen” trophy vigorously in ecstasy, the silver lid fell off and the winner’s trophy tumbled down. The 22-year-old Pole was visibly uncomfortable with the hoppala, but nobody disputes her fourth Grand Slam title, the third at the French Open (following 2020 and 22). The world number one retained the upper hand in the final once morest the strong Czech outsider Karolina Muchova, who will move up from 43rd to 16th place in the WTA ranking, following 2:49 hours 6:2, 5:7, 6:4 .
Swiatek went through an emotional roller coaster ride. At first everything seemed to go like clockwork, the favorite led 6:2 and 3:0. But then Muchova came up and in the third set with a 2-0 lead very close to the cup. Ultimately, bitter tears of disappointment flowed. “It was so close. I hope this is just the beginning and I can build on these wonderful weeks,” said Muchova.
Swiatek had the laughs on her side on the sold-out Philippe Chatrier Court as she thanked her team: “Sorry for being such a pain in the ass.” Her success proves her right. In the last 55 matches on clay, she has only lost once – that was once morest Muchova in 2019, by the way.
Swiatek seemingly relentlessly storms from one success to the next. “I love being in Paris. This is my favorite court,” emphasized the exceptional athlete, who posed for the photographers in a black dress in front of the Eiffel Tower on Sunday. The trophy was complete and intact once more.
Swiatek received 2.3 million euros for her coup at this year’s French Open, she has already earned almost 17 million in prize money alone. That’s not the only thing that amazes tennis legend Martina Navratilova: “What a champion and oh so young,” enthused the 18-time Grand Slam winner. In Poland, too, enthusiasm is huge. “There can only be one queen,” Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki tweeted. “A great day for Poles in Paris,” congratulated President Andrzej Duda.
Incidentally, Swiatek is the youngest woman since Monica Seles in 1992 to successfully defend her title at Stade Roland Garros. Chris Evert has won seven times on the Bois de Boulogne, Steffi Graf six times – impressive marks that seem absolutely within reach. But Swiatek curbs expectations: “I don’t set these crazy records or goals for myself. The best way for me is to stay cool.”
She gets emotional when the subject of the Russian invasion of Ukraine comes up. “My support goes to all Ukrainians. The tennis community should do everything possible to stop Russian aggression.” As a sign of solidarity, Swiatek always plays with a small Ukraine flag on her cap.
Author
Alexander Zambarloukos
Sports Editor
Alexander Zambarloukos
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