After Iga Swiatek defeated Sofia Kenin in straight sets of French Open women’s final and became the first player from Poland to win a Major singles title, Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka took to Twitter to congratulate the 19-year-old’s historic win.
French Open 2020 women’s singles champion Iga Swiatek (AP Image)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Iga Swiatek did not lose a single set throughout her French Open 2020 campaign
- The 19-year-old is first from her country to become a Grand Slam singles champion
- Naomi Osaka, Novak Djokovic and others reacted to Swiatek’s historic win
In a historic day for Poland and its rich sporting culture, their 19-year-old tennis player Iga Swiatek became the first from the country to clinch a Grand Slam singles title by defeating USA’s Sofia Kenin 6-4, 6-1 in the women’s singles final of French Open 2020.
The Pole looked in sublime form since the beginning of the match as she won three straight games to put Australian Open 2020 champion Sofia Kenin on the back foot. Kenin bounced by levelling the scores but then a marathon 8th game saw Swiatek grab a break point again and it was a downhill road for Kenin since then.
The world number 54, first won the 1st set 6-4 and then thrashed Kenin 6-1 in the 2nd to win the match in straight sets. Iga Swiatek had a plethora of her record to her name after the win. She became the first woman since Justine Henin in 2007 to win singles title at Roland Garros without losing a set. Also, Iga is now the 4th youngest women’s singles champion at French Open. Monica Seles (16), Arantxa Sanchez (17) and Steffi Graf (17) are the only ones to achieve the feat at a younger age.
“I don’t know what’s going on, so. I’m so happy. I’m so glad that my family is here finally. I don’t know, it’s so overwhelming for me. It’s crazy. Two years ago, I won junior Grand Slam and now I’m here. It feels like such a short time so I’m just overwhelmed, but thank you all for cheering. It was an amazing final,” Swiatek said after the win while a teary-eyed Kenin watched the Pole from her chair.
Former world number one Kim Clijsters, US Open 2020 champion Naomi Osaka and Novak Djokovic, who will be playing the men’s singles final against Rafael Nadal on Sunday, reacted to the sensatinal win by tennis’ lastes Grand Slam winner.
AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
— NaomiOsaka (@naomiosaka) October 10, 2020
Congratulations @iga_swiatek #RolandGarros
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) October 10, 2020
@iga_swiatek ooooh , what an amazing effort ! Loved watching you play and be fearless . Congrats on your first !
— Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) October 10, 2020
Australian tennis legend also praised Iga Swiatek and called her performance “nerveless”.
Congratulations to young @rolandgarros champion @iga_swiatek – a nerveless performance from the Polish star and the first of many majors to come. Best wishes from afar,
— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) October 10, 2020