Eurosport expert Mats Wilander has said that Iga Swiatek could continue to win the French Open title “for many years” after the Pole claimed a fourth Roland-Garros title. She defeated the Italian 12th seed Jasmine Paolini 6-2 6-1 on Court Philippe-Chatrier, prompting Wilander to claim that the world No. 1 is “unbeatable” on the Parisian dirt thanks to her topspin-fuelled “modern style”.
Eurosport expert Mats Wilander has said that Iga Swiatek is “unbeatable” at the French Open and could keep winning at Roland-Garros “for many years” after she won her fourth title in Paris.
The world No. 1 dominated from start to finish against Jasmine Paolini in the women’s singles final, winning 6-2 6-1 on Court Philippe-Chatrier in one hour and eight minutes.
Swiatek survived a second-round scare against Naomi Osaka, saving a match point against the Japanese former world No. 1, and she was initially down a break early in the final as her Italian opponent came out swinging.
However, Swiatek was at her brilliant best to sweep past the 12th seed and claim her fifth Grand Slam title at the age of 23, and Eurosport expert Wilander believes that there are plenty more to come on the Parisian dirt.
“We’re still counting,” Wilander said. “Four titles. She’s 23.
“I think she can win another five, six, seven, because her style is very modern and she plays with a lot of spin. She’s not going to go anywhere unless the other women learn how to do that. [If they don’t], she’s going to be winning Roland-Garros for many years.
“It’s tough to play like Iga because you have to be so strong and have that racquet head speed and all the topspin on the forehand. That’s why she’s unbeatable here.”
Fellow Eurosport pundit Boris Becker agreed, comparing Swiatek to all-time record Roland-Garros champion Rafael Nadal, who has won 14 crowns.
“She looks so perfect on the court, so it’s nice to see emotions afterwards,” Becker, the three-time French Open semi-finalist, said.
“She reminds me of Nadal. She’s so much better than the rest here in Paris; she wins the matches [easily]. She’s not really tested physically or mentally. It’s good to see a bit of nerves afterwards.”
You can watch every day of the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+
