Finalist Iga Swiatek: “I Can Do Anything.”
Roland Garros
October 8, 2020
Iga Swiatek has thrilled her native Poland and the rest of the tennis world by reaching the final of Roland Garros.
The 19-year-old is the first Pole to reach that notable milestone for 81 years.
Swiatek has captured everyone’s imagination. And she believes she can finish the job in the final too.
Just imagine if Wimbledon 2021 can welcome Swiatek to the Championships next year as a recent Grand Slam champion!
The patriotic Polish supporters will doubtless head to SW19 in their droves to cheer their new heroine anyway.
Agniezska Radwanska reached the Wimbledon final in 2012 but couldn’t quite win the title.
Swiatek already has more global appeal and astonishingly she exudes even more confidence.
Talking to Eurosport, Iga said: ‘I always dreamed of playing a French Open final! I feel great and I don’t have any injuries.
‘I feel I can do anything and achieve my dreams.’
As the legendary Chris Evert pointed out in the aftermath of Swiatek’s stunning 6-2, 6-1 victory over Nadia Podoroska, the teenager’s mindset will be key for Saturday’s final.
‘The key is that she continues to feel no pressure because this is the final and she will be playing a Grand Slam winner,’ Evert explained.
And that Grand Slam winner will be the Australian Open champion, Sofia Kenin.
She defeated the two-time Wimbledon Champion Petra Kvitova 6-4, 7-5.
The plucky young American also showed extraordinary fighting spirit and resolve.
So Saturday’s final will be a meeting of unparalleled confidence and rock-hard resistance.
It’s the final we have been anticipating here at WDH for a few days now. And it should be an absolute belter.
The shape of things to come in the exciting world of women’s tennis, you might say.
Kenin knows what a showpiece feels like. She has handled the pressure and prevailed.
But Swiatek is so natural that you wonder whether pressure will even be a factor for her.
She seems to have found a perfect blend of enjoyment and ambition.
Iga was asked to deliver a message in Polish to the millions of fans back home, who are just willing her to win the final.
Swiatek did so, but couldn’t then offer a translation. ‘I said I was really happy but I can’t remember the rest because when I speak in Polish I just forget,’ she said amusingly.
This is precisely what is so likeable about Swiatek. She isn’t media-manufactured or over-polished on court either. She isn’t at all over-coached.
Her strokeplay is spontaneous. Not too much thought has gone into style, because the execution just seems to take care of itself.
Whatever happens in this fascinating women’s final on Saturday, Swiatek has burst upon the scene as a future superstar.
That’s great for Wimbledon 2021. Coco Gauff will have a young rival for our affections.
The future of women’s tennis looks extremely healthy. The next generation is simply bursting with new superstars.
And we wouldn’t be happier for tennis fans worldwide.