Former
world No. 3
Pam Shriver analyzed
Iga Swiatek's chances of achieving the
Calendar Slam and matching Steffi Graf, who is currently the only tennis player
to have won all four Grand Slam tournaments and the Olympic gold medal in the
same year in 1988.
Shriver,
who had great success in doubles and won 21 Grand Slam titles during her
career, including a Career Golden Slam alongside Martina Navratilova, as well
as a title in mixed doubles. However, the American, despite being a gold
medalist and champion of all Grand Slam events, did not achieve this feat in
the same year.
The former
tennis player commented on world No. 1 Swiatek on her social media after a
participant in X Spaces asked about the Polish player's chances of achieving
the Calendar Golden Slam: "What do you think the chances are that Iga wins
the golden calendar year slam this year?" questioned a participant.
“I’d say
one percent. Maybe, I’d give five percent. Look, there is a reason why it’s
only been done once. That was obviously Steffi Graf '88," she replied.
Swiatek
begins the 2024 season as the top favorite, especially after ending the
previous year by regaining her best form and reclaiming the No. 1 spot in the
WTA Ranking after Aryna Sabalenka held it for 8 weeks.
The
four-time Grand Slam champion has good chances of securing the golden medal,
considering her triple triumph at the French Open. The Olympics will take place
at the same venue, Roland Garros, where Swiatek has dominated in recent years.
Additionally, she won the 2022 US Open.
However,
she has not yet clinched the title at the Australian Open, with her best result
being the semifinals in 2022. On the Wimbledon grass, she has faced more
challenges, reaching only the quarterfinals in the tournament.