"Already achieved much more than I ever expected": Iga Swiatek doesn't set sights on Chris Evert's Roland Garros record

WTA
Saturday, 08 June 2024 at 17:21
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Crown her again, Iga Swiatek is the four time champion at the 2024 French Open after taking down Jasmine Paolini in heroic fashion 6-2, 6-1 for a third success in a row and a fourth overall. She joins Monica Seles and Justine Henin in winning three in a row as the Italian simply had no answers to her incredible prowess.
But Swiatek also took a bit of a U-turn. After the crowd annoyed her during the Naomi Osaka win, a tie she referenced multiple times during post match interviews where she survived a match point. She then told the crowd off for constantly calling out during points which could've thrown her off course when she returned. Her first move as champion though was to try and fan the flames and she thanked them.
“I was almost out of the tournament in the second round. Thank you guys for staying behind me and cheering me on," said Swiatek. "It has been a really emotional tournament so thank you for supporting me. A lot of Polish people came and I am very proud to represent my country. But the French people are supporting me more and more each year. I have got a great relationship with them."
She was pleased to in surviving the pressure that could've easily tolled on her given that she came so close to going out and weathering a storm of sorts. “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. Even though I was really close to being out of it against Naomi in the 2nd 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.”
Only Maria Sakkari remains as the only player to defeat Swiatek during the past few years at Roland Garros. But she isn't setting her sights on seven and said she has already achieved more than she expected. Modest as ever.
“No, no. I already achieved much more than I ever expected and ever set my goals to. I’m just doing everything step by step and enjoying every match and every title. My goal is to be a better player. And I feel like I’m a better player than last year. I’m proud of that.”

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