‘Stay strong Ukraine’: French Open champion Iga Swiatek in emotional peace plea
Iga Swiatek received a standing ovation at Roland Garros on Saturday with an emotional ‘stay strong Ukraine’ peace plea after winning her second French Open title.
Iga Swiatek received a standing ovation at Roland Garros on Saturday with an emotional “stay strong Ukraine” peace plea after winning her second French Open title on Saturday.
The 21-year-old Pole was speaking after a 6-1 6-3 win over Coco Gauff in only 68 minutes of tennis on Court Philippe Chatrier, equalling Venus Williams’ record for the longest winning run by a woman in the 21st century.
“I wanted to say something to Ukraine, to stay strong, because the war is still there,” said Swiatek who has worn a ribbon in the colours of the Ukraine flag on her cap throughout the tournament.
“Since I made my speech in Doha (after winning the tournament in February) it had started and I was hoping when I do the next tournament speech the situation will be better but I will still have hope.”
Moments later, she told broadcaster NBC: “The war is still there and people are suffering. Many players have taken off the (Ukraine) ribbons and there is huge discussion about next tournaments and points. It’s not about that but the whole situation there and I want people to be aware.”
Swiatek consoled 18-year-old Gauff, the youngest woman in a Slam final since Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon in 2004.
The American sobbed as she sat courtside at the end of the final and again on the trophy podium.
“First I want to congratulate Coco because you are doing an amazing job. You are progressing all the time. You will find it and you will be there I am pretty sure of that,” said the Pole.
“When I was your age, I was in my first year on tour and I didn’t know what I was doing.
“I want to thank my team, you guys, I mean, oh my god, without you I wouldn’t be here, I’m sure of that. I’m glad every piece has come together and we can do this. We deserve to be here. Thanks for your full support all the time no matter what.”
Gauff hoped to return to more Slam finals in the future.
“This is a first time for me so I’ll try to get through this,” she said on the podium.
“Congratulations Iga, what you have done these past few months has been amazing. Hopefully we can play many finals and I can get a win on you one of these days.
“Thank you to you guys in the crowd who supported me even when I was down. Even when I was down match points you guys cheered me on and that means a lot, so truly, thank you.”
Swiatek cruised to her second French Open title at Roland Garros stadium in Paris by dominating Gauff in the final on Saturday, as the world number one claimed her 35th successive victory.
Swiatek celebrated her sixth straight title this year in the players’ box with her friends and family.
A disconsolate Gauff was left sitting on her seat in tears after a nervous performance, punctuated by 23 unforced errors and three double faults.
The 18-year-old American came up short in her bid to become the youngest Grand Slam singles champion since Maria Sharapova won Wimbledon in 2004.
Swiatek, only the 10th woman to win multiple French Opens in the Open era, lost just one set in the tournament — against China’s Zheng Qinwen in the fourth round.
She has now won all three of her career meetings with Gauff, who was playing in her first major final.
Gauff will now turn her attentions to Sunday’s doubles final, where she will face home favourites Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic alongside compatriot Jessica Pegula.
Swiatek improved her remarkable record in finals, having won her last nine on the WTA Tour.
Gauff looked nervous in the opening exchanges and a flurry of unforced errors handed Swiatek a break in the very first game.
The 18th seed found herself 3-0 and a double break down just 16 minutes into the match, as Swiatek’s powerful backhand helped her win a lengthy third game on her fifth break point.
Gauff finally got on the board with a scrappy hold to the delight of the crowd, but she had dropped a set for the first time in the tournament just minutes later.
Swiatek was not playing her best, but a cross-court backhand winner brought up two set points and she took the second opportunity when Gauff fired wide.
The Pole gifted her opponent a potential route back into the match, making four unforced errors to throw away her serve in the first game of the second set.
Swiatek recomposed herself though as the mistakes continued to come from Gauff, breaking back to level at 2-2.
She made it five straight games to move within one of the title, losing only five points in the process.
Gauff dug deep to force Swiatek to serve for the trophy.
But the top seed did just that on her first match point, dropping to the red clay in celebration as Gauff sent a return flying long.
Nadal aims to be Open’s oldest champion against pupil Ruud
Rafael Nadal will become the oldest man to win the French Open title on Sunday if he defeats Casper Ruud, the Norwegian whose clay court talents he has personally helped foster.
Nadal will be playing in his 14th Roland Garros final and 30th overall at the Grand Slams.
Victory will deliver a record-extending 22nd major and 14th French Open, 17 years after his title winning debut in Paris.
The 36-year-od Nadal is, however, as surprised as anyone to have got this far. A chronic left foot injury which has plagued him throughout his career flared up again in Rome last month, putting a serious question mark over even making it to the French capital.
“Without a doubt, I’d prefer to lose the final and have a new foot,” admitted Nadal who has not hidden the brutal reality that every match he plays at Roland Garros may be his last.
Despite his fears, Nadal has impressively battled his way into Sunday’s championship match.
He needed five sets and more than four hours to see off Felix Auger-Aliassime in the last 16 and another four hours to get past Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.
Alexander Zverev then pushed him all the way for three hours in the semi-finals until a sickening ankle injury forced the German world number three to quit on crutches.
Despite the German’s bold all-or-nothing challenge, Nadal still cut an impressive presence on court, at one point coming out on top in a lung-busting 44-shot rally.
His record at the French Open now stands at 111 wins and just three losses. Djokovic was responsible for two of those defeats.
Nadal was only 19 when he won his first French Open in 2005
AFP
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