Exclusive: Boris Becker predicts double-digit slam wins for Iga Swiatek after French Open triumph
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Updated 15/06/2023 at 12:00 GMT
Iga Swiatek has the ability to win "10 or 15" Grand Slams in her career, Boris Becker has exclusively told Eurosport. Swiatek completed a hat-trick of French Open wins on Sunday, and Becker sees "no reason" why the 22-year-old cannot continue on her trajectory and win double-digit slams. Alongside her Roland Garros wins, Swiatek has won one US Open, in 2022.
'Really proud' - Swiatek on 'rollercoaster' final against Muchova at Roland-Garros
Iga Swiatek can reach double-digit Grand Slam titles if she stays motivated, Boris Becker has told Eurosport.
At the 2023 French Open, the 22-year-old reached the final without dropping a set. And on Sunday, she went on to win her third Roland Garros, defeating Karolina Muchova in three sets in the final.
The Pole now has four Grand Slams to her name, after also winning the 2022 US Open.
"She is only 22 years old, and she still has her whole athletic life ahead of her," said Becker, exclusively to Eurosport.
"So I see no reason why she can't win ten or 15 Grand Slam titles if she stays motivated.
"That's always the big question, especially when you have success at such a young age. Do you still feel like repeating yourself in five years or do you have to keep reinventing yourself?
"But from the way she plays, her attitude, her fitness, I don't see any reason why she shouldn't reach double-digit Grand Slam wins."
Becker also added that Swiatek will need other players on the Tour to maintain high levels in order for the Pole to remain as competitive as possible.
"The question is the rivalry; the women need it as much as the men," Becker continued.
"For Djokovic, [Rafael] Nadal and [Roger] Federer were important, and for Swiatek, it will be important that [Aryna] Sabalenka continues to improve, that Muchova continues to play well, Ons Jabeur, I also want to mention here, Coco Gauff, I would also like to see in the final again.
"For me, these are the best women, and when there is healthy competition, then the players really enjoy it. They are all competitors, they want to measure themselves against each other, and that is also a good sign for Swiatek."
As the clay season has drawn to a close, the next challenge for Swiatek will be grass, a surface that she has struggled with in the past.
The world No. 1 hasn’t made it past the fourth round at Wimbledon in three appearances, and last year saw her record-breaking 37-match winning streak ended in straight sets in the third round at SW19.
Speaking after her French Open win she said grass remains “something I haven't figured out yet”.
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'More pressure than last year' - Swiatek's coach discusses her latest triumph Roland-Garros
After her hat-trick in Paris, Swiatek was invited to speak at Rafa Nadal's Academy in Mallorca.
In her speech to students graduating from the academy, she said: "For the last few weeks, I've been looking at one quote at Roland-Garros in Paris.
"On Philippe-Chatrier Stadium it's written 'Victory belongs to the most tenacious'.
"I often have the feeling that sometimes when I'm playing or when I'm doing things off court, that I should do them better or I should seek perfection.
"But this shouldn't be the sense. We should all focus on the process and giving 100 percent, no matter what you can give, because every day is different.
"So I hope no matter what you do in the future years, if you're going to give 100 per cent, if you're going to dedicate your focus and time to do it the best way possible, no matter what the result is going to be I'm sure that you'll have no regrets at the end."
Swiatek also encouraged students to "seek help" if they need it.
"When I was younger it was really hard to open up, to talk about what I want to do, what I want to achieve, how I feel," she said.
"When I started doing that I felt I could truly work on myself and I became a much better person.
"So whatever you do in the future, don't hesitate to seek help. Don't hesitate to talk about difficult stuff."
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You can watch daily highlights from Wimbledon at 10pm on Eurosport 2 and discovery+ from July 3, as well as the two singles finals live on July 15 and 16.
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