Chris Evert Thinks Iga Swiatek Could Surpass Her Record Of 7 French Open Titles

PARIS — Chris Evert, a clay-court tennis expert, believes Iga Swiatek has the potential to break her record of seven French Open titles.

“Absolutely,” Evert, a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, said during a phone interview. “Iga is a player with a mission. She is more concentrated. She doesn’t get angry when she loses. She possesses all of the qualities necessary to be a champion. She does. She checks all the criteria, both intangible and tangible.

Swiatek | AP news Image

Chris Evert Thinks Iga Swiatek Could Surpass Her Record Of 7 French Open Titles

Swiatek has been No. 1 in the WTA rankings for most of the last two years and will compete for her fourth Roland Garros title — and fifth Grand Slam trophy overall — when the clay-court major competition begins on Sunday.

BetMGM Sportsbook has named the 22-year-old from Poland the -155 money-line favorite, attempting to become the first woman to win three successive French Opens since Justine Henin in 2005-07. Swiatek is also coming off a unique feat: she won two clay-court championships in Madrid and Rome, becoming the only woman since Serena Williams 11 years ago.

Swiatek, who won his first Paris trophy at 19 in 2020, appears to be made for the surface known as “terre battue.”

She slides quite well. Changes directions so smoothly. Her powerful forehand may force an opponent back. Her service is equally effective as her return.

“I just think Iga is the most consistent player out there. She doesn’t appear to have any major flaws in her game,” remarked Evert, who won her championships at Roland Garros in the 1970s and 1980s and finished her career with 18 Grand Slam trophies, the same number as her famous on-court opponent, Martina Navratilova. “She’s a fantastic frontrunner. When she gets going and wins, she has that confidence.

Swiatek | AP News Image

Chris Evert Thinks Iga Swiatek Could Surpass Her Record Of 7 French Open Titles

And, as Evert pointed out, Swiatek is as gifted mentally as she is physically. Daria Abramowicz, Swiatek’s sports psychologist who travels the circuit with him and frequently attends matches and news conferences, deserves some credit for that.

“I’m always kind of trying to stay present and do the same work no matter what stage of the match I’m in,” Swiatek stated. “So I think that’s the main thing.”

In 2024, she had a record of 38-4 with four victories.

That consistency is “incredible,” Swiatek is “great for the sport,” according to four-time major champion Naomi Osaka, who might face her in the French Open’s second round.

Osaka also complimented Swiatek on his consistent performance, “something that I honestly can’t think of, or fathom, back when I was No. 1 for like five seconds.”

Swiatek does not take anything for granted, and she does not appear to be depressed after a bad match.

No victory — or failure, for that matter — seemed to stay with her for long. It’s just on to the next one.

“Even if I win, it doesn’t stick in my head,” Swiatek remarked. “I celebrate for one day, then I’m off to another tournament, in my head, even.”

Opponents discuss the difficulties of identifying a weakness on the court against her. And they all describe a constant sense of being under pressure from Swiatek, with no time to find a way out.

Swiatek | AP News Image

Chris Evert Thinks Iga Swiatek Could Surpass Her Record Of 7 French Open Titles

“She is great. Her consistency and dedication are very outstanding. Victoria Azarenka, a two-time Australian Open champion and previous top-ranked player, remarked that how she’s handled her career, going from one tournament to the next while maintaining focus, works incredibly well for her.

What kind of success may Swiatek expect in the coming years?

“In the long run, it’s difficult to forecast. The tour is long. “Players have injuries, etc., so I don’t want to guess what will happen,” Azarenka explained. “But at the moment, she fully deserves to be No. 1, with how she plays.”

SOURCE – (AP)