French Open 2023: Iga Swiatek exclusive - Champion reflects on third triumph at Roland-Garros
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Published 11/06/2023 at 15:11 GMT
World No. 1 and top seed Iga Swiatek was taken to three sets by the very impressive Karolina Muchova in the Roland-Garros final on Saturday, but the Pole emerged triumphant once again after surviving an emotional rollercoaster of a match. Muchova threw everything she had at Swiatek, but the Pole withstood the challenge to pick up her fourth Grand Slam singles title.
'It was a really emotional final' - Swiatek tells Wilander how 'proud' she is after triumph
Winning in Paris might seem to come easily to Iga Swiatek, who has now lifted the trophy at Roland-Garros an incredible three times at just 22 years of age. But she was made to work hard for her moment of triumph this time around, with Karolina Muchova the first player to take a set off the Pole in any of her Grand Slam finals to date.
Swiatek looked far more overcome with emotion at match point than she did last year, clutching her face in disbelief before dissolving into tears and dropping to her knees. After congratulating her opponent, she made straight for her player box, the tears still flowing, to celebrate her win with her family.
The Pole sat down with Eurosport’s Mats Wilander after the trophy celebration, and it was clear that her fourth Grand Slam title meant that little bit more to her, such were the difficulties she faced both in the match, and after a difficult start to the year.
“I just feel really proud of myself as these weeks weren’t easy, like in today’s final with a lot of up and downs, but I’m just really happy I could keep my discipline, keep my focus and go for it, and I’m really proud of myself,” Swiatek told Eurosport.
“It was a pretty emotional final. Some finals that I have played they were kind of one way, so in terms of that and handling the pressure and what’s at stake - even though you try not to think about it, it’s at the back of your mind - this was the toughest one.”
For much of the match on Saturday, Swiatek looked to be sailing towards the title. When she led by a set and a break, it looked much like a repeat of last year’s final, where her precision and relentless accuracy had swept away the challenge of another first-time finalist in Coco Gauff.
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'Really proud' - Swiatek on 'rollercoaster' final against Muchova at Roland-Garros
But Karolina Muchova proved harder to shake off, the Czech refusing to be beaten and managing to disrupt Swiatek’s rhythm as the pressure began to tell. And while Swiatek was “proud” of her comeback after going behind a break early on in the third set, it wasn’t a situation she relishes repeating any time soon.
“My goal is always going to be to not let myself be in that situation,” she said. “Obviously, I had the lead in the second set, so I need to work on how to hold that until the end, but it doesn’t really matter to me right now, as I just want to think of the positive stuff.”
Having won three titles at the French Open now to go with one on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows, grass is the next big test for the dirt baller - with Wimbledon looming large.
Her best result on the grass courts of SW19 is a fourth-round appearance from 2021, where she lost to Ons Jabeur before the shock loss to Alize Cornet in just the third round last year.
“Grass-court season is something I haven't figured out yet,” she admitted. “So Wimbledon is always a different challenge to any of the other Slams.
“But I would say winning Slams, it gives you kind of confidence that you can do it again on one hand, but on the other hand, everybody is watching you, everyone is targeting your back so you feel that a little bit and the pressure is bigger.
“It makes it actually more special for players who do it when they are on top because it shows you you can do it and you’re strong enough to do it, so I feel that right now.”
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'This is first test Iga has passed' - Reaction to Swiatek battling to glory
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On June 10 and 11 strap yourself in for a live sport rollercoaster ride. With the finals of Roland-Garros, 24 Hours of Le Mans, Speedway Grand Prix, the UCI Mountain Bike World Series, the Criterium du Dauphine, MotoGP and the Champions League final, it’s the Weekend of Champions live on Eurosport, discovery+ and BT Sport.
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