Martina Navratilova Pinpoints Iga Swiatek’s Lifesaving Moment That Put Her in Pole Position for 4th French Open Title

Iga Swiatek breaks into the French Open finals after surviving match points and winning victories! On her way to the finals, she had to contend with one of the most anticipated matches of her career—against Naomi Osaka. Reflecting on Swiatek’s perseverance, Martina Navratilova recently remarked how the world number one earned a second chance in the game after that pivotal match.

Swiatek is now poised for the championship match, demonstrating her resilience and determination. Ahead of the finals, the 59-time Grand Slam champion set down with the Tennis Channel to talk about the clash. In that conversation, she clearly emphasized the fact that saving a match point can change the whole game and connected it to how the Polish tennis player got it in the second round.

“I think it gives you just second life really literally and you play a little more relaxed. I think the pressure’s off it’s like I survived that one I think, I can get through anything else and of course, I only had to play one more match for Iga it happened in the second round but it really set her up she looks so much more relaxed and sharp,” Martina stated. On the other hand, she also emphasized the relief that comes with saving a match point, “When you escape a match point, you’re like, okay, dodge the big one. I’m ready to win the whole thing.”

However, the 23-year-old tennis player just a few days ago also talked about how the match against Osaka, literally made a change to her confident run into the finals. In an interview, Swiatek stated, “I guess Naomi for sure, I didn’t have time to kind of get into it. It was just intense from the beginning and she put pressure on me, so I’m happy that I handled it well…I just gained confidence I would say.” 

However, if she achieves victory, she will join the elite group of tennis legends who created history at Roland Garros, while getting compared with Rafael Nadal.

Iga Swiatek to write her name in the French Open history? 

The world number one from Poland aims to become the fourth woman in the Open era to win the Coupe, Suzanne Lenglen, in the footsteps of Steffi Graf, Chris Evert, and Justine Henin. Only two women, Henin (2005–07) and Monica Seles (1990–92), have won the French Open three times in a row.

Rafael Nadal, the man with 14 men’s titles and an incredible 112-4 record at Roland Garros, has been compared to Swiatek due to his dominance on the clay courts of Paris. Iga stated, “We’ll see in a couple of years, but I’m proud of myself for playing consistently here and for being mentioned in the same sentence as Rafa. That’s cool.”

Encountering Paolini, Swiatek hopes to continue her winning record that has brought her to four Grand Slam finals. She has won both of her previous meetings with the former 12th-seeded Italian, but Paolini is having the finest year of her career right now, which heightens the anticipation for their next showdown. Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on the finals? Do let us know in the comment section below.