Iga Swiatek Wins French Open Final in Dramatic Fashion
Iga Swiatek, the No. 1 player in women’s tennis for more than a year, won her third career championship at the French Open and fourth Grand Slam title in a dramatic final against unseeded Karolina Muchova. Swiatek, who won the French Open twice in a row now, along with her 2020 title there and her triumph at the US Open last September, is the youngest woman with four Grand Slam trophies since Serena Williams was 20 when she got to that number at the 2002 US Open. Swiatek is also only the third woman in the professional era to start 4-0 in major finals, joining Monica Seles and Naomi Osaka.
Swiatek seemed out of sorts during the match, unable to find the right strokes and unable to figure out why. Players are allowed to communicate with their coaches, but whatever Tomasz Wiktorowski — or sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz — might have been trying to tell Swiatek, either the message wasn’t getting through or it wasn’t working right away. However, when she needed it most, Swiatek transformed back into her usual brand of crisp, clean tennis, scurrying around the red clay with sublime defense and finding just the occasions to try for a winner.
The contest was filled with sections where Swiatek was better and sections where Muchova was. Every time one woman or the other seemed to be wresting control, every time one or the other raised her level enough that the end appeared in sight, the road curved in a different direction. One point in particular captured the essence of Muchova’s unwillingness to count herself out. Serving for the second set at deuce while ahead 6-5, Muchova pushed to the net and ranged well to her right for a forehand volley. Swiatek then sent her scrambling to the left, and Muchova somehow slid and stretched for a backhand volley while losing her balance. Her racket fell, and so did she, placing her hands on the clay to brace herself. The ball, somehow, landed in to take the point, and a moment later, when Swiatek’s backhand return sailed long, Muchova raised her right fist and let out a yell. Suddenly, it was a set apiece. Suddenly, the outcome was entirely in doubt.
However, Swiatek overcame a second-set crisis and a third-set deficit to beat Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 and collect her third career championship at the French Open and fourth Grand Slam title. When it ended on a double-fault by Muchova, Swiatek dropped her racket, hunched forward and covered her face as she cried.
“I really love being here,” Swiatek said. “Basically, it’s my favorite place on tour.”
Swiatek’s brilliant beginning meant little. As did Muchova’s edges of 2-0 and 4-3 in the third set. However, every time one woman or the other seemed to be wresting control, every time one or the other raised her level enough that the end appeared in sight, the road curved in a different direction.
“This was so close, but yet so far,” said Muchova, who is ranked 43rd and was participating in a championship match at a Slam for the first time. “That happens when you play one of the best: Iga,” Muchova said. “So, I want to congratulate you out loud once again and your team.”
Swiatek’s win is a testament to her resilience and determination. Despite being out of sorts during the match, she was able to turn things around and claim victory. It also highlights the importance of having a strong team behind you in sports. Swiatek acknowledged this in her post-match interview, saying, “I know much how much teams are important in our sport. Even though it’s an individual sport, I wouldn’t be here without my team. So, really, thank you, guys. Sorry for being such a pain in the” — and she let the sentence end there.
In conclusion, Iga Swiatek’s win at the French Open final was a testament to her resilience and determination. Despite being out of sorts during the match, she was able to turn things around and claim victory. It also highlights the importance of having a strong team behind you in sports. Swiatek’s win is a reminder that anything is possible with hard work, determination, and a strong support system.