In the grand tapestry of women’s tennis, few names shine as brightly as Iga Swiatek. Holding the prestigious No. 1 spot, Swiatek boasts an impressive array of titles and accolades. Yet, even for a player of her caliber, there remain certain milestones that elude her grasp—achievements that highlight the unpredictable and thrilling nature of the sport. There is a particular feat at Roland Garros where Iga finds herself outshined by two rising stars like Coco Gauff and Jasmine Paolini.

The Polish tennis sensation has dominated the French Open for the past three years, remaining undefeated at Roland Garros in singles matches during the last two tournaments. She is now gearing up to face Jasmine Paolini in the finals, hoping to secure her third consecutive trophy. Despite her impressive record, Swiatek has never managed to qualify for both the singles and doubles finals in the same year.

The Pole competed in the doubles segment of Roland Garros in 2020 and 2021. In 2020, she reached the singles final and won the title but, alongside her partner Nicole Melichar, fell short in the doubles semifinals. In 2021, the sequence changed. Swiatek along with her partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands reached the doubles finals, but Swiatek was eliminated in the singles quarterfinals.

In contrast, Jasmine Paolini and Coco Gauff have accomplished the rare feat of reaching both the singles and doubles finals in the same year. Gauff achieved this in 2022, reaching the singles final against Swiatek and the doubles final with Jessica Pegula, though she did not win either. This season, Paolini has matched this achievement. While the current World N0. 15 will face Swiatek in the singles final, with her partner Sara Errani, she will compete against Gauff and Kateřina Siniaková in the doubles final.

Since 2000, only seven players have reached both the singles and doubles finals at Roland Garros in the same year:

However, Iga’s dominance at the venue has remained unparalleled. She will soon be facing Jasmine Paolini to attempt to win her 4th French Open title. And the World No. 1 is already a favorite!

When Rennae Stubbs predicted Iga Swiatek’s another victory!

In a display of sheer dominance at the Roland Garros, Iga Swiatek once again proved why she was considered the clear favorite entering the French Open. Amidst expectations from the tennis community, the Polish sensation did not disappoint, and once again reached the clay court finals. Rennae Stubbs, ex-coach of Serena Williams, openly acknowledged Swiatek’s prowess at Roland Garros earlier this year.

Speaking in March, Stubbs expressed her belief in Swiatek’s potential, stating, “I think Iga can win eight French Opens, actually think she can win more than eight but I think she can win at least eight French Opens.” Such high praise highlights Swiatek’s remarkable talent and her strong affinity for clay-court tennis.

Swiatek’s own sentiments echo this, as she has previously highlighted her comfort in playing on clay. In an earlier interview, Swiatek remarked, “I feel comfortable and love playing on clay. I feel my joints are not that tired after the concrete tour.” This affinity for the clay surface has undoubtedly contributed to her success at Roland Garros.

As Swiatek progresses through the tournament, all eyes are on her potential showdown with opponent Paolini in the finals. While the outcome remains uncertain, the feat of playing both singles and doubles in the same year will be something that Iga might chase in future seasons.