There are just a few days left before the start of the long-awaited French Open. It’s a good time for an update on how Iga Świątek is doing on the WTA tour.
Earlier this month, Iga was playing in the Masters 1000 of Rome. The Pole lost only two games in her first two matches in the Italian capital. In the second round – to which she was automatically qualified – she “double- bageled” Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (6-0;6-0) before giving a tennis lesson to Lesia Tsurenko (6-2;6-0). She later dominated Donna Vekić in order to validate her ticket for the quarterfinals, where she faced Elena Rybakina. Unfortunately, the Varsovian was forced to retire in the third set due to a right thigh injury.
https://twitter.com/iga_swiatek/status/1659197126159790081
Iga has been displaying what she is capable of in the most impressive fashion. Last year, the Pole completed a breathtaking winning streak of 37, the longest in the 21st century. She also won several titles, including the Masters 1000 in Rome and the French and US Open.
Iga Świątek reached the top of the WTA ranking on 4 April 2022, after the unexpected retirement of the then-world number 1, Ashleigh Barty. Since then, the young Pole has repeatedly proven that she is viewed as the current queen of tennis for a reason.
https://twitter.com/iga_swiatek/status/1661043201573105664
On 31 May, Iga will turn 22. At this young age, she has already won 13 titles on tour, including three grand slams. She has been world number 1 for 60 consecutive weeks and counting. “1GA” is already assured to take over the Belgian Justine Henin when it comes to the number of consecutive weeks on top of the charts (see below).
As of 25 May 2023, Iga is 1399 points ahead of the Belarussian Aryna Sabalenka. She is, therefore likely to take over the Romanian Simone Halep in the all-time ranking of female players with most weeks as world number 1. Halep held the position for 64 weeks. If she manages to recover from her injury and maintain a good pace properly, the Pole could even take over the Danish Caroline Wozniacki (71 weeks) and enter the prestigious top 10 in this regard. (see above)
https://twitter.com/rolandgarros/status/1661473284507209728
The French Open starts on 29 May. Just as in Rome, Iga will be the defending champion. Let’s hope she’ll be luckier than her idol and 14 times winner of, Roland Garros Rafael Nadal and will be able to perform at her best level at Porte d’Auteuil.
Image: Twitter (@iga_swiatek)
Author: Sébastien Meuwissen
