Women’s tennis has become as competitive as it has ever been in recent times, with 13 first-time major winners crowned since the start of the 2016 season. Over the course of 24 Grand Slams in that time period, more than half have been won by those with no prior experience of claiming first prize.
One of those rookie champions is Iga Swiatek, with the classy Pole re-writing the history books when sweeping to a stunning triumph at the French Open in 2020. She was ranked outside of the world’s top 50 at the time, but has seen her star enjoy a remarkable rise since then.
When heading back to Paris this time around, Swiatek will be the No.1 player on the planet and a 2/1 favorite to repeat her success from two years ago in odds to win Roland-Garros 2022. As things stand, it would take a brave soul to bet against her.
— wta (@WTA) April 3, 2022
That is because the current campaign has delivered displays of dominance across hard court and clay surfaces. Having opened the season with semi-final showings at the Adelaide International WTA 500 event and the Australian Open, a rare blip was endured in Dubai when crashing out at the second round stage.
From there, Swiatek’s record has become littered with wins and pieces of shiny silverware. She won the Qatar Open, Indian Wells and Miami Open after hitting a serious purple patch. A transition onto clay was made with apparent ease when going on to add the Stuttgart Open crown to an ever-growing collection of honors.
Imposing Figure
Swiatek now looms large at the top of the women’s game, with a sizable shadow being cast by an imposing figure who has found a formula that works through stunning levels of consistency. Where there was once exciting potential, there is now proven pedigree.
She does, of course, have only one major to her name as things stand, but the expectation is that she will not remain stuck on a solitary title for long. There is every chance that a standing as a multiple Grand Slam winner will be taken up within days of passing her next – and very notable – birthday.
Across three previous trips to the French capital, Swiatek’s record through singles and doubles competition stands at 23-4.
She has only once failed to make the last eight when competing either by herself or in partnership with another, and that relatively early exit was endured on debut in 2019 at the hands of defending champion Simona Halep.
Iga and Paris. A ❤️ story.@iga_swiatek #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/1JmpybvzsA
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) October 11, 2020
She is now returning to favored surrounds as a more experienced and fine-tuned performer, with a useful winning habit having been picked up along the way that allows confidence to seep out of every pore.
It is far too early to bill her as another Steffi Graf or Serena Williams, especially in an era where seemingly anybody can emerge victorious, but she is heading down the right path.
That should send shivers up the spine of all of those preparing to try and chase her down amid the red dust of Roland-Garros, with a remarkable run of form set to have rivals running scared before a ball has even been struck in anger.