Polish teenager Iga Swiatek became the youngest women’s French Open champion since 1992. She won her country’s first ever Grand Slam singles title after defeating American fourth seed Sofia Kenin 6-4, 6-1 on Saturday.
The 19-year-old Swiatek did it without losing a set at Roland Garros and no more than five games in any match. On her way to the final she defeated women’s world No.1 and former Champion Simona Halep. She dispatched her in the round of 16 with her powerful forehand and angled groundstrokes.
Iga Swiatek arrived in Paris ranked 54 in the world, is the ninth first-time major champion in the past 14 Grand Slams.
Overcome by emotion after winning in just an hour and 24 minutes she told reporters, “Maybe it just had to be like that, another underdog had to win a Grand Slam. In women’s tennis right now its crazy.”
Makes History By Becoming Youngest Champion Since Monica Seles And First Polish Player To Win A Grand Slam
The Polish teenager at 19 becomes the youngest French Open champion since and 18-year-old Monica Seles won her third consecutive singles title in 1992.
She eclipsed the run of compatriot Jadwiga Jedrzejowska, the most outstanding Polish player in the interwar period. Jadwiga finished runner-up at Roland Garros in 1939.
Iga Swiatek was only the second Polish woman to reach a Grand Slam final in the Open era after Agnieszka Radwanska at Wimbledon 2012. She had never previously been beyond the last 16.
Swiatek added that she had not won a tournament in the last two years and wanted to thank everyone. Two year ago she won a junior Grand Slam at Wimbledon.
The crowd was capped at 1 000 paying spectators, to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Her family was there to watch her make history and she said she was very happy that they were there.
When asked asked about the influence of her father, Tomasz, a former Olympic rower she blushed. Turning towards him in the stands she said: “He taught me how to be a professional”
Reigning Australian Open champion Kenin, 21, was attempting to become the first woman to capture two Slams in the same year since Angelique Kerber in 2016.
Iga Swiatek recently acquire a high-school diploma. Her plan was to test her game on the WTA Tour for what she described as a “gap year” before deciding whether she wanted to continue her education at a university. It appears university will have to wait.