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Unseeded teenager Iga Swiatek trounces Sofia Kenin at French Open for maiden major title

simon briggs
·18 min read
Iga Swiatek kisses the trophy after winning the French Open - Getty Images
Iga Swiatek kisses the trophy after winning the French Open - Getty Images

It is amazing to think that Iga Swiatek – the new French Open champion – came into this tournament wondering whether to pursue a full-time tennis career or take up a university place next autumn. Perhaps the £1.45 million cheque will help her decide.

Swiatek has certainly been schooling her opponents over the past fortnight, giving up just 23 games on her way to the final. And Sofia Kenin – the 21-year-old American who won January’s Australian Open – suffered a similar fate here.

After a competitive first set, Swiatek powered up her thunderous groundstrokes and swept to a 6-4, 6-1 victory. At just 19 years old, she has achieved the same thing as Lily Collins’s character in the Zeitgeisty new drama Emily in Paris: conquering the French capital with insouciant ease.

Looking like a beekeeper in her long and flowing white shirt – which is the sort of garment Suzanne Lenglen might have worn here a hundred years ago – Swiatek made for a delightfully gauche interviewee.

“I don't know what's going on!” she told Marion Bartoli on the court, her voice quivering with excitement. “This is overwhelming for me. Two years ago I won a junior grand slam – it feels like such a short time ago.”

Robert Lewandowski, the Bayern Munich striker who is generally seen as Poland’s top sporting export, was quick to comment on social media. “What an amazing success,” he said, “what a great story!” No Polish player, male or female, has ever won a major before.

This has been a Cinderella tale for a woman who – unlike most of her peers – insisted on completing her school education. As a result of all the studying, Swiatek only played 12 events in 2019, whereas Kenin got through no fewer than 25. But once she completed her exams in June, and applied her full attention to the tennis court, her extraordinary talent was unleashed.

The statistics blew in from all directions. Starting the fortnight at No54 in the world, Swiatek is the lowest-ranked player to win the French Open, beating the record of No47 set by Jelena Ostapenko three years ago. She is also the youngest Roland Garros champion since Monica Seles in 1992.

The contrasting experiences of those two women – Ostapenko and Seles – give a sense of what can happen to a young champion after she hits the big time. The former dropped back out of the spotlight as quickly as she had arrived, whereas the latter became a dominant force.

Mats Wilander, the seven-time major winner who is now a Eurosport pundit, has strong views on which model Swiatek is more likely to follow. “She is going to win so many more [majors],” he said. “Once she gets control of the rally with her forehand, you just can’t get out of the grip. It feels like I’m watching Rafa Nadal!”

Andy Murray also commented on a congratulatory Instagram post from Wimbledon, saying: “Ridiculous performance today and the whole tournament. Love her game.”

Perhaps we shouldn’t have expected too much competitive drama in this match, after Swiatek had cruised through to the final without conceding more than five games in any of her previous rounds. Even so, there was at least some early tension behind the comfortable scoreline.

Kenin – whose strength is her eyeballs-out competitiveness – was never able to match Swiatek’s firepower, but she did hustle about in her brusque way, hitting numerous lines and breaking serve twice to stay within touching distance.

Once Kenin had missed a backhand to give up that first set, though, the power differential began to tell. Swiatek exemplifies a trend for the new generation of women to play with heavier topspin, in a repudiation of the flat and laser-like groundstrokes favoured by the likes of Maria Sharapova. As Kenin acknowledged, “The forehand doesn’t look like it is so difficult, but it bounces up.”

Kenin took a lengthy medical time-out at 1-2 down in the second set, leaving the court for attention to her upper thigh, where she had been wearing a large rectangle of tape. She later explained that “I just felt it was so tight, I couldn't move.”

One wonders if Kenin might also have seen a potential advantage in leaving the inexperienced Swiatek alone on court for seven minutes to contemplate the prospect of her first major win. If so, the tactic failed horribly – and deservedly so.

Swiatek waved cheerfully to the crowd, pulled a jacket on – for it remains perishingly cold in Paris – and then hit a few practice serves and imaginary groundstrokes. When play did resume, she was relentless, reeling off the last four games in a matter of minutes and carrying her tally of clean winners to 25 – a big improvement over Kenin’s 10.

Neither did all those winners came in the same manner. There were knifed drop shots and a couple of deft volleys to go with ambitious drives up the line. Because of her vicious topspin, Swiatek is able to return wide serves over the higher part of the net instead of playing the easier crosscourt ball – an unusual tactic in women’s tennis, which kept forcing Kenin onto the defensive.

Asked about this broad range of options, Swiatek insisted that she still has a lot to learn “Because I'm only 19. I know my game isn't developed perfectly,” she replied. “Also I think the biggest change for me is to be consistent.

“I think this is what women's tennis is struggling with,” added Swiatek. “That's why we have so many new grand-slam winners – because we are not as consistent as Rafa, Roger, and Novak. It's going to be really hard to achieve that. But right now I'm just going to enjoy the moment. I'll think about my future goals later.”

Swiatek already has a few dates in her diary, including a trip to Cambridge in the coming weeks to work with Nick Brown, the former British Fed Cup captain who is one of her mentors. She also plans to do a racket test, as she has been using the same old Prince frame for the past five years.

But the chances of enrolment on an undergraduate programme have fallen through the floor. As a 19-year-old millionaire, Swiatek doesn’t need to take lectures from anyone.

02:59 PM

Swiatek takes leaf out of Osaka book with her speech

 

02:52 PM

Trophy presentation

Mary Pierce, the last French player to win at Roland Garros back in 2000, is on hand to dish out the silverware. Incredibly, of the last 14 women's majors there have been nine first-time grand slam singles champions: Jelena Ostepenko, Sloane Stephens, Caroline Wozniacki, Simona Halep, Naomi Osaka, Ashleigh Barty, Bianca Andreescu, Sofia Kenin and now Iga Swiatek. 

02:44 PM

Swiatek speaks

"I don't know what's going on. I'm so happy. I'm so happy my family was here finally. I don't know. It was overwhelming for me. "Two years ago I won a junior grand slam and now I'm here. It feels like such a short time. I'm just overwhelmed.”

 

02:38 PM

Poland's first champion!

Wow. What breath-taking tennis from the 19-year-old who clambers the stairs to her corner to thank her coach and psychologist. She becomes the first Pole player - male or female - to win a major champion.

02:36 PM

Kenin* 4-6, 1-6 Swiatek (*denotes next server)

The sound of the photographers cameras clicking at a 100mph now as Swiatek sends down every serve fills the arena. At 30-all, Kenin strikes long as Swiatek sets up championship point. She only needs one, a swing of another blistering forehand and she has done it. GAME, SET AND MATCH: SWIATEK WINS FRENCH OPEN WITH 6-4, 6-1 WIN OVER KENIN

02:32 PM

Kenin 4-6, 1-5 Swiatek* (*denotes next server)

Errors continue to come from Kenin now. A double fault hands Swiatek a free point at the start of her service game. She is then pushed to the back of the court as Swiatek sustains her aggressive style of play. It's one-way traffic now. Swiatek breaks to love. She'll be serving for the title now. SWIATEK BREAKS

02:28 PM

Kenin* 4-6, 1-4 Swiatek (*denotes next server)

Swiatek's movement out there is a joy to watch. It's so hard to know which shot she is going to pull out of her bag yet such is her array of strokes. She's back to lights out tennis again. She storms to three game points and wraps up a love game when Kenin bats the ball into the net. 

02:25 PM

Kenin 4-6, 1-3 Swiatek* (*denotes next server)

Kenin left the court to take a three-minute medical timeout for a problem on her left thigh. Swiatek took the time to applaud an appreciative fan before firing down some serves to keep her body warm.

The American returns to the court with heavy strapping to her thigh. Swiatek hasn't been disrupted by the delay, and carries on with her swashbuckling style. She keeps her foot on the gas for two break points at 15-40. She only needs one as Kenin swings wildly into the tramlines. SWIATEK BREAKS. 

02:15 PM

Kenin* 4-6, 1-2 Swiatek (*denotes next server)

Kenin shaking her head now, seemingly at a loss currently at how to stop the Swiatek juggernaut. The 19-year-old surges to two game points and then holds. It's the first hold in five games. 

02:12 PM

Kenin 4-6, 1-1 Swiatek* (*denotes next server)

Loose now from Kenin as the clock strikes the hour mark. A double fault hands Swiatek a free point for two break points at 15-40. Swiatek misses the first chance and then looks to her corner, points to her racket in dismay. But she plays some quite brilliant tennis during the next point, scuttling up and down the baseline, retrieving anything sent back by Kenin and dispatching a brilliant winner. SWIATEK BREAKS. 

02:07 PM

Kenin* 4-6, 1-0 Swiatek (*denotes next server)

Both players left the court at the end of that first set, but not clear whether it was for a change of clothes or toilet break. They both kick off the second set as they left the first, battling hard during the lengthy rallies, working each other to all corners of the court and not giving an inch. Swiatek throws in a loose groundstroke at 30-all to hand Kenin a break point. And the American makes it with a cracking forehand service return. KENIN BREAKS. 

 

01:59 PM

Kenin 4-6 Swiatek* (*denotes next server)

Great striking from both again but Kenin blinks first as Swiatek edges to 15-30. Kenin under pressure now at two set points as Swiatek keeps pushing and turning up the heat. Kenin keeps fighting, but she pulls a grounstroke wide. SWIATEK BREAKS AND TAKES OPENING SET. 

01:55 PM

Kenin* 4-5 Swiatek (*denotes next server)

Swiatek, serving for the opening set, continues to mix things up by going short and then long. It's an incredible battle out there, both players giving as good as they can get. But then the nerves return for Swiatek. She throws in a double for 30-15 but stays composed in the next point with looping another delightful forehand into the top right-hand corner. Swiatek sets up a first set point when Kenin strikes into the middle. Kenin drops her racket to the floor in disgust. Swiatek is well placed to get over the line, but inexplicably strikes a backhand into the net. She throws her arms out wide in annoyance. Kenin keeps digging deep, forcing her own break point now. Another great return, and Kenin has the break back. That's the joint-most games dropped in one set by Swiatek this fortnight. KENIN BREAKS. 

01:49 PM

Kenin 3-5 Swiatek* (*denotes next server)

Ooh er. A sloppy forehand from Kenin into tramlines gifts Swiatek a free point for 30-30. The 19-year-old takes on a Kenin first serve but hits long. But she's hanging around this game as poor foot work forces Kenin to strike another groundstroke wide. At game point, Kenin and Swiatek demonstrating an array of shots in their armoury before Swiatek scuttles across from making a drop shot to win the point. Now it's Kenin's turn to throw in a double at a crucial point this game. It hands Swiatek break point. Kenin works Swiatek across the baseline, the Pole trying her best to step in and attack the ball, but Kenin won't give in and fires across a winner. What a point. Takes us back to deuce. 

A second break point comes and goes for Swiatek who then loops a forehand wide. The game now approaching eight minutes and frustrating Kenin now. Swiatek senses her moment, goes for the kill with a an 82mph forehand deep into the corner. It's break point No 3 for the Pole. Great hitting again by both players, but it's a second break of the match for Swiatek as Kenin drills a reply into the middle. SWIATEK BREAKS. 

01:38 PM

Kenin* 3-4 Swiatek (*denotes next server)

Both players give each other the run-around at the start of this game, Swiatek making the most of a short ball. Another double fault, her second of the final brings Kenin back level at 30-all. Kenin keeps battling, reels Swiatek in at deuce. Swiatek blasts a forehand winner across court for game point but then gets caught out by a service return loaded with backspin. 

Swiatek opts for another drop shot winner which has Kenin slamming her racket head into the tape. And she's soon thumping it into the red stuff during the next point after striking a forehand long when well placed. An opportunity missed she senses. 

01:32 PM

Kenin 3-3 Swiatek* (*denotes next server)

The American opens up a 30-0 advantage and then restores the two-point cushion at 40-15 with an out-swinging first serve. She keeps her nose in front to draw level this final. The most games Swiatek has dropped this fortnight has been five games per match. Kenin looking strong now to move clear of that mark. 

01:26 PM

Kenin* 2-3 Swiatek (*denotes next server)

Kenin making in-roads into Swiatek's serve for first time, taking a 15-30 lead. It's a sloppy service game by the teenager, handing her American rival two break points. She throws in a first double fault of the match, and only her seventh of the tournament. KENIN BREAKS.

01:23 PM

Kenin 1-3 Swiatek* (*denotes next server)

Better service play this game from Kenin. A first ace of the final is backed up with great covering at the net. Swiatek won't go quietly as she reels Kenin in to 40-30 before over-eggs her next backhand. Kenin is on the board this final. 

01:19 PM

Kenin* 0-3 Swiatek (*denotes next server)

A fabulous drop shot is too good for Kenin as Swiatek continues her lights out start to this final. It's unbelievable how calm and in control she looks out there. Kenin looking anxious and nervous at the opposite end. She finally picks a first point off the Swiatek serve with a backhand return down the line. But it's the only point she manages this game. 

01:16 PM

Kenin 0-2 Swiatek* (*denotes next server)

Aggressive return play from Swiatek now as she attacks Kenin's serve to edge 15-30 in front. The Pole is taking the ball early, and striking it full throttle into Kenin's laces to set up a first break point. The American produces some solid defensive play and mixes things up with some slicing, but then over-shoots a groundstroke. SWIATEK BREAKS

01:12 PM

Kenin* 0-1 Swiatek (*denotes next server)

It's the 19-year-old Swiatek who opens up the serving this final. A heavy shadow hangs over the court, Kenin, with taping to her left-thigh, in the full glare of the sunshine at the far end. The teenager is very composed, easing to three game points and wraps up a love game with a forehand into the corner.

01:05 PM

Here they come

Teenager Swiatek enters Philippe Chatrier Court first, headphones on listening to Guns R Roses, as has become her music of choice this last fortnight. Only 1,000 spectators are scattered around the arena but doing their best to make enough noise. Kenin follows on to the court in the sunshine. The warm-up ensues. 

12:53 PM

One word - dominant

 

12:41 PM

Weather watch

In a fortnight which has seen Victoria Azarenka and Rafael Nadal complain of the cold conditions, today's finalists will be able to feel a little warmth from the sunshine on offer in Paris today.

Forecast is for sunny intervals with a gentle breeze and a high of 14c. 

12:35 PM

The lowdown on Swiatek

With only seven hours of court time during her run to today's final, it's been very much blink and miss Swiatek's charge in Paris. 

Tennis correspondent Simon Briggs has the lowdown on the teenager and explains how the finalist has a British mentor who has been helping the teenager with her rapid rise. Here's a snippet:

Swiatek lives in Raszyn, a suburb of the Polish capital Warsaw, and is coached by a compatriot in Piotr Sierzputowski. But she has a British mentor in Nick Brown, a 59-year-old whose own playing career peaked when he knocked Goran Ivanisevic out of Wimbledon in 1991.

Read the full backgrounder here.

12:12 PM

And then there were two

Afternoon and welcome to coverage of today's French Open women's final. It's been a strange couple of weeks in Paris, with cool temperatures, gusty winds and only a smattering of spectators allowed inside Roland Garros providing an altogether different flavour for the players. Indeed it's not the final two most pundits and fans would have predicted at the start of the fortnight.

While Sofia Kenin made headlines in January when winning her maiden major at the Australian Open, only at the warm-up tournament in Rome last month was she handed a humiliating double bagel at the hands of US Open finalist Victoria Azarenka.

Today she bids to become the first woman to win multiple majors in a single season since 2016. Standing in her way is the unseeded teenager Iga Swiatek, who has blown away all of her opponents put before her in Paris.

The 19-year-old's run to her first major final has been jaw-dropping. After giving notice of her intentions by taking out last year's French Open runner-up and 19th seed Marketa Vondrousova for the loss of three games in her first match, it was the pummelling of top seed Simona Halep for 6-1, 6-2 which stunned the whole tennis world.

Nothing has fazed the world No 54. She is yet to drop a set at this year’s tournament, conceding a mere 23 games in her six matches. The last woman to lift the title in Paris without losing a set was Justine Henin in 2007. While the fewest games dropped en route to the final was by Mary Pierce in 1994.

Ahead of today's final, Swiatek has appeared stress-free and nonchalant of the outcome.

"I feel like I'm ready. I also feel like I don't have to win. I'm pretty okay with both scenarios," she said.

"I'm just going to focus like it's another match. I feel like the pressure isn't on me. Right now I'm just enjoying that I have like a great run in singles.

"I think if I'm going to win, it's going to be crazy and super overwhelming for me. But even though there's, like, chaos around me, when I'm coming on court, I feel like my mind is clear. Just focus on playing, going back to basics."