She is aware of she belongs. I think this is what women's tennis is struggling with. He gave us everything.”, It was the sort of unaffected, charming response that has captivated the small on-site audiences at Roland Garros for two weeks and won a much larger one beyond. He was joined in the river of praise for her by Tim Henman, who said: “Her mentality is so strong when she is so young. When she panicked Kenin into a cramped forehand from the baseline, she snapped a sequence of five breaks and drove remorselessly to the finish. Today was really stressful for me, so it was hard.”. 19-year-old Iga Swiatek became the first Polish woman to reach the French Open final after she defeated Nadia Podoroska in the semifinals of the French Open 2020.Swiatek is ranked 54th right now and is slated to make huge gains in the WTA rankings next week owing to her unreal run at the French Open 2020. Moments later, the 19-year-old hit a forehand winner to the corner and crouched to the ground in disbelief. In the middle of Iga Swiatek's blistering second set against Sofia Kenin in the French Open women's final on Saturday, NBC commentator John McEnroe made a bold prediction. Nadal will play for his 13th French Open title and record-tying 20th major trophy on Sunday against Novak Djokovic. Swiatek dropped to her knees, shaking her head as she stared at the clay for several seconds and could be forgiven any breach of social distancing as she then rushed to hug her family in the sparsely populated boxes. Unseeded Swiatek, who was ranked 54th at the start of the tournament, is the youngest woman to win the French Open since Monica Seles in 1992 … ET in the 2020 French Open … The … Swiatek’s was grooved, her mindset more settled. Sometimes I caught myself visualizing that I'm also winning a Grand Slam, but on the other hand it was also, like, really far away. She added later: “I need to go back home now, see what’s going on in Poland. Here is a preview of their upcoming match, as well as one key to success for each player. Those three elements, the physical, technical and mental are all so important and you see her athletic ability, too. I tried to get rid of expectations, you know, just play one ball after another. "I know that there are no limits. Even though you're really young and you're an underdog, you can do a lot in a sport like tennis. The 19-year-old teenage sensation, Iga Swiatek, is on an absolute tear so far over the last two weeks and has yet to drop a set. She held, nervously, and broke back to stem the haemorrhaging. "More Majors ahead!! Hard-nosed cynics pointed to the tough American’s triumph in Melbourne and her progress to the fourth round here in 2019. Sofia Kenin and Iga Swiatek meet for the first time Saturday on the WTA Tour, and the stakes couldn't be higher. It’s crazy. She credited their play together for improving her game. There were questions about Swiatek's nerves entering the biggest match of her career. She might have been surprised by the day's outcome, but few else in Paris were. Kevin Palmer. Swiatek more than doubled her career earnings during her stint in Paris thanks to the $1.89 million paycheck and is expected to rise to No. Naomi Osaka on raising awareness for racial injustice with her masks. Last modified on Sun 11 Oct 2020 16.01 BST. "I focused on technique and tactics. That's why we have so many new Grand Slam winners because we are not, like, as consistent as Rafa, Roger [Federer] and Novak. Well-liked by her peers and fans for her easygoing personality and eclectic -- and much-talked about -- taste in music, Swiatek has the makings of a superstar and the game to support it. On her "off" days, she dominated on the doubles court with American Nicole Melichar. Polish teenager Swiatek emerged as one of the star turns of a … She had never advanced past the fourth round of a major or won a title of any kind on the WTA Tour. Swiatek continued to torment her with piercing ground strokes at unreachable angles and she raced to a love break and 5-1 with a deft backhand into an empty court. "That's why my goal is going to be to be consistent. During the breaks, Swiatek sat in her chair and closed her eyes, meditating and saying affirmations to herself. Amiable away from the court, Swiatek shot Kenin a long, fierce glare when the American pointlessly challenged a line call. There was no appreciable difference to Kenin’s movement after she bounced back on to court seven minutes later but the winners kept flashing by. Iga Swiatek and Sofia Kenin are set to face off in the 2020 French Open final. There was much to admire on both sides of the net in the early exchanges, as well as a bit of edge. 00:03:05, 10 views, 04/10/2020 at … "I know my game isn't developed perfectly," she said. Iga Świątek is a Polish professional tennis player. Iga Swiatek, the Polish teenager who arrived in Paris ranked 54 in the world, leaves as her country’s first grand slam champion after a quite stunning victory over the American Sofia Kenin in the French Open final. She is the youngest women’s winner at Roland Garros since Monica Seles in 1992. “You played really well and congratulations on your game,” was Kenin’s short and, one would hope, heartfelt congratulations for the winner. In the fourth round, Swiatek dismantled 2018 champion and top-seeded Simona Halep 6-1, 6-2. ", Chris Evert, an 18-time major winner, said: "What a sterling two weeks of brilliant tennis. "She dictated really well with her forehand, especially in the first set. She had breezed past every opponent with discipline, sometimes frightening power and no little style, while Kenin had had to survive four three-setters. Iga Swiatek on winning 2020 French Open. "I feel like she served really well," a disappointed Kenin said. Last updated on 4 October 2020 4 October 2020. The daughter of an Olympic rower, Swiatek initially started in swimming but moved over to tennis after her older sister started playing. Sat 10 Oct 2020 15.46 BST "Well, on one hand it's pretty inspiring. All rights reserved. It's just -- I don't know -- overwhelming.". The American said later she picked up her injury in the third round. She was the champion at the 2020 French Open and is the first Polish player to win a Grand Slam singles title in history. As Swiatek stood on the podium on Court Philippe Chatrier with the Polish national anthem playing through the speakers, tennis crowned its newest star. Sports Polish teenager Iga Swiatek won her maiden Grand Slam after beating Sofia Kenin 6-4, 6-1 in the 2020 French Open final at Roland Garros. An ace helped her hold to love, secured by Kenin’s botched forehand. Their challenges now diverged. She broke early in the second set but took an instant counterpunch flush on the nose as Swiatek found openings where her opponent thought none existed. When you add it all up – 28 games she lost to win a grand slam in seven matches – it’s just been a complete domination. Two years later, she's a Grand Slam champion -- a feat she called "overwhelming" and "crazy" when addressing the crowd immediately after the win. P olish teenager Iga Swiatek became the youngest player to reach the French Open women's final in 19 years when she crushed Argentine qualifier Nadia Podoroska 6 … She’s such a deserving champion.”, Available for everyone, funded by readers. I’m just overwhelmed.”, Asked about the influence of her father, Tomasz, a former Olympic rower, she blushed, turning towards him in the stands, and said: “He taught me how to be a professional. Sofia Kenin won the Australian Open at the start of the year, so her presence in the last match in Paris is not a complete shocker. After an hour and 20 minutes of a match many thought would last a lot longer, Swiatek stepped up to the line where she had begun the match to serve it out. When Kenin left the court for a medical timeout due to a left leg injury at 2-1 in the second set, Swiatek remained on the court and practiced her serve. “When you reflect on her mentality, how calm she’s been, her sense of belonging she’s had out on court, it’s been incredible all the way through. Kenin, drowning, took a medical timeout. She said seeing the bevy of other young players like Kenin, 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu and her friend and three-time major winner Naomi Osaka helped fuel her belief that she could do it too. She played some great tennis.". Her life is forever changed, but she is far from content. Swiatek, who now had the full love of the gathering, looked unmoved. Unseeded and unheralded, Swiatek arrived in Paris ranked No. "For sure it's inspiring," she said. You believe in things, but in the back of your head you know that there's going to be a huge amount of work that you have to do to win that. Iga Swiatek dalam perjalanan memenangkan gelar French Open 2020 Berita Tenis: Meskipun musim 2020 tidak berjalan sesuai dengan harapan banyak orang, salah satu mimpi besar petenis berkebangsaan Polandia, Iga Swiatek malah terwujud. Right now when I'm here, and I'm a Grand Slam champion, it's crazy. Breakthrough 2020 French Open title just the beginning for Iga Swiatek Iga Swiatek, 19, makes history in Paris, becoming the first Polish player to win a … Screeching loudly, Kenin was energised in every shot. Then after two weeks of great playing, you already have it. Sports journalists from across the world voted for the title and the 19-year-old Pole topped the tally to emerge as the most improved player in the women’s game. The 19-year-old played Roland Garros ranked No.54, while the title ascended her to a career-high of No.17, where … One thing is not in doubt: the tone has been set for what should be an intense rivalry for years to come. I don’t think anyone expected to see Iga Swiatek as her opponent, though. She has a career-high Women's Tennis Association (WTA) ranking of No. Poland’s tennis sensation Iga Swiatek said that reaching the French Open 2020 final was a dream come true after triumphing over Argentine qualifier Nadia Podoroska in straight-sets. French Open could reschedule again, with support from tours 01/11/2020 AT 22:27 She grew up playing on clay and won the French Open junior doubles title with American Caty McNally in 2018, as well as the Wimbledon girls' singles title the following month. The numbers and records tumbled like raindrops. Kenin battled her own game. They'll duel at 9 a.m. French Open 2020 highlights - See how Iga Swiatek produced the shock of the tournament when beating top seed Simona Halep to reach the quarter-finals. It is hard to argue -- she won six of her seven net points in the final. New French Open champion Iga Swiatek, age 19, at the Roland Garros trophy ceremony #getty pic.twitter.com/3G524Jo3S7 — Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) October 10, … "Also, I think the biggest change for me is going to be to be consistent. Kevin Palmer; December 12, 2020 ; French Open champion Iga Swiatek is set to become one of the new faces of tennis in 2021, with his clothing sponsor ASICS eager to make her the star of their tennis branding in the New Year. That’s why I had to call the trainer. In women's tennis, there have been several first-time major champions over the past few years, including Kenin, but few have been as convincing and destined for more. “After the first set I just felt it was so tight, I couldn’t move. Simona Halep of Romania shakes hands with Iga Swiatek of Poland . Returning well inside the baseline with the sun in her eyes after switching ends, she broke to 30. The women’s final at the French Open is set. The pair had never played together before Paris but advanced to the women's doubles semifinals before losing in a three-set battle on Friday. Mats Wilander, seven times a grand slam champion, said on Eurosport: “Iga looked so relieved but also calm, she is going to win so many more – you can see that in her demeanour throughout the whole finals.”, He even compared her playing style of mixing up attack and defence to that of Serena Williams: “You have to go back to someone like Serena, who likes to hit the ball hard, but can keep the ball in play and defend as well. 17 in Monday's rankings. "I just did everything I've done in the previous rounds," Swiatek said. Back in Iga Swiatek’s home city of Warsaw, the Parisian courts have been rebranded Poland Garros in the media. As Kenin vocally expressed her frustration and tossed her racket throughout the match, Swiatek remained calm. She never dropped a set during the tournament and conceded just 28 games -- the fifth fewest ever by a winner at the French Open. I know it’s going to be crazy.”, Swiatek ignored the distraction of her opponent’s injury break in the second set and said: “I was just mentally consistent. Iga Swiatek became the first Polish player to win a grand slam singles title when she beat Sofia Kenin, the fourth seed, 6-4, 6-1 in the French Open final Swiatek rolled through the tournament with steely resolve and clinical technique. With her French Open title, she also became the youngest singles champion at the tournament since Rafael Nadal in 2005, and the youngest women's singles champion since Monica Seles in 1992. Swiatek said she hopes to attend but said during a postmatch interview that she wasn't sure whether she could get a ticket. 117. French Open 2020: Iga Swiatek becomes first Polish woman to make Roland Garros final Qualifier Nadia Podoroska was no match for Iga Swiatek, who became the … "So really, I think the main key was just keeping my expectations low.". "It's incredible.". 17 in the world, and is the highest-ranked teenager in women's singles. Simona Halep leads the head-to-head against Iga Swiatek 1-0. Iga Swiatek French Open title... - 2nd unseeded Women's Champ at RG - 1st player since 2007 (Henin) to not drop a set at RG - More than doubles career earnings ($1.1 … Despite her lack of experience, Swiatek was the betting favorite entering Saturday's championship match. Swiatek is the seventh woman in the Open era to win a slam without a seeding (her ranking jumps to 17 and her bank balance from about $1m to nearly three times that) and she is one of eight first-time female winners in the past 13 majors. Kenin, known for her tenacity and grit on the court, fought back as she often does, storming back to take the next three games. She upset Marketa Vondrousova, a 2019 finalist at Roland Garros, in her opener. The French Open will have a new women's champion after American Sofia Kenin faces Polish teenager Iga Swiatek in Saturday's final in Paris. "I'm going to think about my future goals later. She was openly questioning how long she would be playing on tour and discussing potentially attending university just weeks ago. Swiatek bided her time, silently but with equal menace. Many, many more GS titles to come.". It's going to be really hard to achieve that.". From the section Tennis. The fans detected gamesmanship. Swiatek can do that as well. "Right now I'm just going to, you know, enjoy the moment," she said. As an unseeded player, the Pole dominated all her opponents, including 2019 finalist Marketa Vondrousova, 2018 champion Simona Halep and reigning Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin. Iga Swiatek in action during the final against Sofia Kenin at the 2020 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on Oct. 10, 2020. But she wasn't thinking about any of that after Saturday's victory. When Kenin, serving to keep the set alive, butchered her go-to double-fisted crosscourt backhand, she looked irredeemably despondent. When she held comfortably to lead 3-0, she looked to be running away with the match but Kenin, the transplanted Muscovite forged in a rarefied American tennis bubble, is made of stubborn Russian stock. Swiatek, rugged up against the chill, applauded their cheers. She shrugged with a wide smile, expressing her disbelief after becoming the first Polish singles player to win a major championship, and ran into the stands -- getting lost more than once in the unfamiliar stadium -- to hug her family and team. While the disruption might have unfocused other players, and was questioned by the broadcast team, Swiatek needed just 12 more minutes of play to close out the match. French Open 2020: Simona Halep stunned by Iga Swiatek in fourth round. First Pole to win a grand slam beats American 6-4, 6-1, 19-year-old is youngest Paris winner since Monica Seles in 1992. That laid-back, no-pressure attitude proved effective. It just got worse.”. I didn't really care if I'm going to lose or win. The tweets and praise were immediate on social media. Iga Swiatek’s surname may be as tough for some to pronounce as her depraved forehand is to learn, however the Polish teenager has moved into the final of the 2020 French Open towards Sofia Kenin with the acquainted ease of reserving a desk on the Ritz. Iga Swiatek’s award is based on her impressive run to the French Open title. 54 in the world. © 2020 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. At the age of just 19, Iga Swiatek announced herself as the new superstar in tennis as she beat Sofia Kenin in straight sets to win the 2020 French Open. French Open champion Iga Swiatek set to become one of the faces of tennis in 2021. Team Sportstar Last Updated: 10 October, 2020 20:43 IST Iga Swiatek of Poland kisses the Suzanne-Lenglen cup following her victory against Sofia Kenin in the Women's … Iga Swiatek voted the ‘Most Improved’ WTA player in 2020. She came to Paris as somewhat of an unknown but leaves as an immediate contender in any tournament she enters. She worked closely with a sports psychologist during the past two years, and her mental strength was as impressive as her talent. French Open 2020: Teenage Iga Swiatek to play her first Major final vs Australian champion Kenin Swiatek, who beat top seed Halep in Round 4, has reached just one WTA final before Overcome by emotion after winning 6-4, 6-1 in an hour and 24 minutes on a cold, flickeringly sunny afternoon on Court Philippe Chatrier, the 19-year-old said in a trembling voice from under her coronavirus mask: “I haven’t won a tournament in two years so I’m not quite sure what to say, but thank you everyone.”, In the immediate aftermath, she said: “I’m so happy that my family was here, finally.