“I Can Do Better” – Iga Swiatek Reveals How Naomi Osaka’s US Open 2020 Run Inspired Her

Iga Swiatek created history on Thursday at the French Open 2020, becoming the first Polish woman to reach the Roland Garros final in the Open Era. She now has the chance to create a bigger piece of history as she will take to Court Philippe-Chatrier again on Saturday.

Achieving such incredible feats for her country certainly motivates Swiatek. However, the 19-year-old found motivation recently from another player on the women’s side who is also creating history quite frequently.

Swiatek recently spoke about the impact Naomi Osaka‘s US Open 2020 title win had on her.

Naomi Osaka’s impact on Iga Swiatek

“Her US Open win, of course, it’s inspired me. Because in previous tournaments when I was watching her game, I kind of felt she can play much better,” Swiatek said on the sidelines of the French Open 2020.

Osaka went through a rough patch before the tennis hiatus due to the coronavirus. On returning after the break, Osaka found form right away, finishing runner-up at the Western and Southern Open. She then won the US Open.

“On Cincinnati, in Western & Southern, and US Open I felt like she’s back the best level of Naomi’s tennis is here. It was inspiring,” Swiatek continued.

The talented Polish youngster feels that she can do better. She expressed what she learned from watching her friend Osaka play. “I also know I can do better sometimes. Yeah, I just kept working. Naomi is a good example of a player that just did the right work, and result was the effect of that,” she added.

How their friendship blossomed

The friendship between the two players developed after their match at the Rogers Cup last year. Osaka won that match 7-6(4), 6-4, and the match was quite entertaining.

Since then, the two women have spoken quite highly of each other. The three-time Grand Slam champion Osaka has praised Swiatek a lot and did so again recently after Swiatek easily defeated Simona Halep in the 4th round in Paris.

“What a star,” Osaka tweeted about Swiatek.

On Thursday, Swiatek defeated another unseeded player Nadia Podoroska in the semi-final. What is more stunning about Swiatek’s run at French Open 2020 is that she has dropped just 23 games on her way to the final.

Read more – Iga Swiatek Creates History, Becomes First Polish Woman in Open Era to Reach French Open Finals