And two. After 2020, the Polish Iga Swiatek hung a second Roland-Garros on her record, Saturday June 4. If that of two years ago was a surprise, that of 2022 is a confirmation. Ultra-favorite of the fortnight, the Polish world number 1 crunched all her opponents during the tournament. She finished easily and quickly dominating the young American Coco Gauff in the final 6-1, 6-3, in just over an hour of play. Who is the strongest on the women’s circuit? This is Iga Swiatek.
How do you feel after this second victory at Roland-Garros?
IGA SWIATEK. It’s incredible, so different from 2020. I feel more solid, better prepared than two years ago. I know better how to manage everything that happens after such a victory.
How did you manage this final?
A final, I treat it like another match. But it’s impossible because there’s always more pressure, it’s the last game and the two girls on the court want to win it. I rely on my strengths, my assets, what I have improved. I know the opponent is also under pressure and I try to be less stressed than her.
How did you feel about the last point?
In 2020, on match point, I was confused because I didn’t think I could win a Grand Slam. Today, a victory is the fruit of my work. I know what it takes to win one. So I’m even more proud of myself for having achieved this. Two years ago, I was lucky. This time I worked and I am no longer.
What makes you most proud after this success?
It sounds strange but it’s my 35 consecutive successes and the fact that I’m doing better than Serena Williams (34 straight wins). Breaking Serena’s career record is awesome. By winning Roland-Garros, I achieved something that no one has ever done. That makes me really proud.
What work does it take to win 35 games in a row?
There is a lot of work but I don’t know how to describe it. In a Grand Slam, you shouldn’t clutter your mind when you’re not playing. This is perhaps the most difficult to do: that’s why it’s important to be well surrounded to release the pressure when it is not necessary.
Compared to 2020, there is an audience: what has changed?
It was so good to have an audience. When there is no one, we hear each other think, it’s weird. The world, the crowd prevent us from thinking and that makes us want to do even more. I also saw Polish flags just for me. It was very cool.
How did you handle the pressure of being the big favorite in the tournament?
This is the hardest part of our job. Everyone prepares the same way for a Grand Slam and the hardest part is not to over-analyze things to win.
Robert Lewandowski was in the gallery, did you know?
I didn’t know he was there and so much the better. I would have been too stressed to know he was there. He’s been representing our country for so long, it’s funny to know he was there, just for me. I’m still in shock.
Swiatek means Christmas in Polish, Nadal in Catalan means birth rate: what do you think?
It’s a funny coincidence, what more can I say? At least I have that in common with him.
What can you learn from Rafael Nadal, your idol?
He is cool with everything that happens around him. Great champions like him accept the fact that they can lose. When he lost in half last year, I cried for him. I bumped into him the next day at breakfast and he said, “Hey, it was just a tennis match, nothing serious”. It was a great lesson.
You mentioned Ukraine during the ceremony. Why ?
It is an individual choice. I can talk about things that concern the world. Ukraine means a lot to me and it’s important that I talk about it. I have to use my voice because I’m a bit known for trying to get things done without it putting even more pressure on me. These messages must not take over me, but it is important to do so.
What trace would you like to leave in the history of this game?
I would already like the truth to be told about me especially. For example, I would like people to talk about my stories at Roland-Garros where I started as a junior. I lost in the semi-finals of the juniors in 2018. I had regretted it a lot at the time and since then I want to play every game to have no regrets at the end.
