‘Overpowering’ Iga Swiatek backed to win ‘double figures in titles in Paris’ by tennis great

Iga Swiatek lifted her fourth title at Roland Garros and the plaudits flowed with several tennis greats suggesting she will come close to Rafael Nadal’s record-breaking tally in Paris.

The reigning world No 1 produced yet another masterclass display in the final at the French Open as she brushed first-time finalist Jasmine Paolini aside in only 68 minutes, winning 6-2, 6-1 despite being an early break down.

Having now won titles in 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024, Swiatek finds herself joint-third alongside Justine Henin in the list of most French Open trophies won in the Open Era by a woman with Chris Evert on seven and Steffi Graf on six.

Former men’s world No 1 Nadal holds the all-time record as he has won 14 titles at Roland Garros.

Six-time Grand Slam winner Boris Becker believes the Pole simply had “too many weapons for her opponents” as he predicted she would get close to Nadal’s tally of trophies.

“She looks so perfect on the court so it’s nice to see some emotions and it’s good to see some nerves afterwards [following a slightly flustered acceptance speech],” the German told Eurosport .

“I really enjoyed the finale for the first 15 to 20 minutes, but then Iga Swiatek was simply too overpowering. She had too many weapons, too much pace.

“I think Paolini perhaps had one match too many in her bones. After all, she played a semi-final in the doubles yesterday. At some point the tank is empty.

“It was very likeable how she fought to take another game even after going 5-0 down in the second set. Iga reminds me a bit of Rafael Nadal and I wouldn’t be surprised if she reaches double figures in the titles in Paris.”

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Becker’s fellow former world No 1 Mats Wilander is also of the opinion that Swiatek will continue to dominate at Roland Garros for years to come.

After being broken in game three, Swiatek won 10 games in a row as she broke Paolini three times in the first set and twice in the second.

“Four Roland-Garros titles, she’s only 23, I think she can win another five, six, seven, because of her style it’s very modern, she plays with a lot of spin and a fierce racket speed, that’s why she’s nearly unbeatable here,” the Swede said.

“I don’t think Iga was expecting her [Paolini] to be that aggressive and it look her a few games to get used to it. Then you think, Paolini has a chance here, then when Iga went 3-2 up you realise she doesn’t because she doesn’t have the weapons. It was close enough in the beginning for the people to enjoy it, but then you realise how good Iga is.”

Watch the Roland-Garros final on Max, discovery+ and Eurosport