Iga Swiatek Wins French Opens

Iga Swiatek Wins French Open By Beating Sofia Kenin

Polish teenager Iga Swiatek completed a stunning rise by becoming the lowest-ranked woman to win the French Open after beating American Sofia Kenin.

Swiatek, 19, is a former junior Wimbledon champion but the world number 54’s rise to Roland Garros history has been swift and surprising.

She showed few nerves to beat fourth seed Kenin 6-4 6-1, lifting the trophy without losing a set in the tournament.

“I don’t know what is going on, I’m so happy,” a smiling Swiatek said.

Swiatek is the first player from Poland to win a Grand Slam singles title.

She is the youngest French Open women’s champion since Monica Seles lifted the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen in 1992.

“It is crazy. Two years ago I won a junior Grand Slam and now I’m here,” added Swiatek, who was laughing before her voice cracked with emotion.

“It feels like such a short time. I’m so overwhelmed.”

Swiatek dropped to her haunches and cupped her mouth in disbelief after cracking a forehand winner on her first match point.

After asking the umpire for permission, she ran across Court Philippe Chatrier to find her nearest and dearest, eventually being pointed in the right direction to run up to her support team and family in the players’ box.

Who is Iga Swiatek?

  • Born 31 May 2001 in Warsaw, Poland
  • Father is former rower Tomasz Swiatek, who competed at the 1988 Olympics
  • She loves rock/guitar-led music including AC/DC, Pink Floyd and Guns N’ Roses
  • She won the Wimbledon junior title in 2018 and the French Open girls’ doubles alongside Caty McNally in the same year
  • Said earlier in the tournament she might step away from the tour to go to university
  • Employs a sports psychologist, Daria Abramowicz, to travel with her on tour

Another new name wins a women’s Grand Slam title

The women’s game has long been unpredictable and few would have backed Swiatek, even those who were already aware of her huge potential, to win Roland Garros.

The teenager is the ninth woman to win her maiden Grand Slam in the past 14 major tournaments.

But from the moment she shocked Romanian top seed Simona Halep in the fourth round, more began to believe it would be the fearless Swiatek who lifted the trophy on Saturday.

As well as Halep, Swiatek has also beaten Czech 2019 runner-up Marketa Vondrousova and now Kenin as her ability to hit powerfully and precisely off either flank paid dividends.

One question mark going into the final was whether she would not – in her words – “choke”. She did not seem to think she would and so it proved.

The magnitude of the occasion did not faze her as she raced into an early 3-0 lead and, after Kenin fought back to level, she regained control to win the first set.

Kenin struggled to handle Swiatek’s heavy and free hitting, with the Pole’s confidence increasing as the match went on.

Another sign of Swiatek’s calmness was the way she casually waved to Polish fans and practised a few serves when Kenin took a medical timeout for treatment on a heavily-strapped left thigh after the third game of the second set.

Soon it was back to business, though. Swiatek ruthlessly won 16 of the next 19 points from when Kenin returned as she became the first woman to win the title without dropping a set since Belgium’s Justine Henin in 2007.

“I was just mentally consistent. I just wanted to play aggressive as in previous rounds,” said Swiatek, who hit 25 winners and made 13 unforced errors.

“It was really stressful for me, so kind of hard. I don’t know what made the difference. I won the match point and that is important enough.

“It had to be like that that another underdog won a Grand Slam in women’s tennis. It is so often right now that it is crazy.”

Not to be for Kenin

Sofia Kenin looks dejected after losing the French Open final
Kenin looked close to tears in the second set, where she also needed treatment on a thigh injury

While Kenin was the higher ranked player and had won her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, it is easy to forget the 21-year-old’s own rapid progress in light of Swiatek’s achievement.

The American said she “hated” clay courts up to last year, when she announced her arrival at Roland Garros by beating 23-time major champion Serena Williams in the third round.

There did not seem to be too much she liked about the surface when her preparation for the French Open started and finished with a 6-0 6-0 humbling by former world number one Victoria Azarenka in Rome last month.

But the feisty New Yorker, who has unashamedly told how winning is what she loves most about the sport, has repeatedly shown how she will never back down from a challenge and proved it again in Paris by reaching the final.

This was one step too far for Kenin, however, who could not reach her best level as a total of 23 unforced errors contributed to her defeat.

While she could not become the first woman aged 21 or under to win two majors in the same season since Henin and Williams in 2003, she will reflect on a wonderful year where she has emerged as one of the biggest talents in the game.

“I’m not going to use this as an excuse, but my leg obviously was not the best,” said Kenin, who is set to move up to fourth in the world.

“After the first set I just felt it was so tight, I couldn’t move. That’s why I had to call the trainer. It just got worse.”

Rockey Africa Limited
Blogs Main Stories

Rockey Africa Limited

Rockey Africa Limited: Driving Excellence Across East Africa Founded in 1993 in Thika, Kenya, Rockey Africa Limited began as a modest transportation...
Read More
MP Tim Wanyonyi Offers Relief to 74 Families Affected by Devastating Kibra Fire
Main Stories

MP Tim Wanyonyi Offers Relief to 74 Families Affected by Devastating Kibra Fire

NAIROBI, May 30, 2025 — Westlands MP Hon. Tim Wanyonyi on Thursday, May 29, extended a helping hand to 74...
Read More
NG-CDF is Our Lifeline,’Say Westlands Locals as Public Participation Nears End
Politics

NG-CDF is Our Lifeline,’Say Westlands Locals as Public Participation Nears End

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZJ9lh8Fbic Westlands, Nairobi — More than 550 residents from across Westlands Constituency gathered yesterday for the third day of public...
Read More
Westlands Residents Back Move to Protect NG-CDF in Constitution
Politics

Westlands Residents Back Move to Protect NG-CDF in Constitution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l61VlrqZqok Westlands Constituency, Nairobi – May 6, 2025 The push to entrench the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) into...
Read More
Westlands Residents Rally Behind Proposal to Entrench NG-CDF in Kenya’s Constitution
Politics

Westlands Residents Rally Behind Proposal to Entrench NG-CDF in Kenya’s Constitution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5ZgSE2pIvM Westlands, Nairobi — May 5, 2025 The push to enshrine the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) into Kenya’s...
Read More
Tim Wanyonyi Unveils KES 4.8 Million Bursary Funding for Scholars and PWDs in Westlands
Politics

Tim Wanyonyi Unveils KES 4.8 Million Bursary Funding for Scholars and PWDs in Westlands

Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi has reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive education by unveiling an additional KES 4.8 million bursary allocation...
Read More
Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi Extends Ramadan Support to Over 3,000 Families in Nairobi
Main Stories

Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi Extends Ramadan Support to Over 3,000 Families in Nairobi

On Friday and Saturday, families from across Nairobi benefited from assorted food items, courtesy of Hon. Tim Wanyonyi, who has...
Read More
Tim Wanyonyi Urges Parklands Delegates to Strengthen ODM Ahead of Elections
Politics

Tim Wanyonyi Urges Parklands Delegates to Strengthen ODM Ahead of Elections

Nairobi ODM Chairperson aspirant and Westlands MP, Hon. Tim Wanyonyi, convened a crucial meeting with Parklands ward ODM delegates to...
Read More
Tim Wanyonyi Leads ODM Delegates Meetings in Kangemi and Mt View Ahead of Grassroots Elections
Main Stories Politics

Tim Wanyonyi Leads ODM Delegates Meetings in Kangemi and Mt View Ahead of Grassroots Elections

Aspirant for Nairobi ODM Chairmanship and three-term Westlands MP, Tim Wanyonyi, led ODM delegates’ meetings in Kangemi and Mt View...
Read More
President Ruto and Tim Wanyonyi Deliver 25 New Classrooms, KES 500M Market, and Infrastructure Boost for Westlands
Main Stories Politics

President Ruto and Tim Wanyonyi Deliver 25 New Classrooms, KES 500M Market, and Infrastructure Boost for Westlands

President William Ruto, accompanied by Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, presided over the opening of 25 newly completed classrooms, commissioned 35...
Read More
Tim Wanyonyi: Exposing the Mystery Behind the Ksh. 104B SHA Scandal
Politics Popular

Tim Wanyonyi: Exposing the Mystery Behind the Ksh. 104B SHA Scandal

Revelations by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu have left Kenyans in shock and outrage. Her report exposes a scandal of monumental...
Read More
Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi Commissions Four Modern Junior Secondary Classrooms at Lower Kabete Primary
Education Politics

Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi Commissions Four Modern Junior Secondary Classrooms at Lower Kabete Primary

Westlands Member of Parliament, Hon. Tim Wanyonyi, has officially inaugurated four state-of-the-art Junior Secondary School (JSS) classrooms at Lower Kabete...
Read More
MP Tim Wanyonyi Issues School Fees Cheques to 57 Needy Students, Urges Government to Prioritize Education
Education Politics

MP Tim Wanyonyi Issues School Fees Cheques to 57 Needy Students, Urges Government to Prioritize Education

Westlands MP Hon. Tim Wanyonyi has reaffirmed his commitment to education by issuing school fees sponsorship to 57 bright and...
Read More
Tim Wanyonyi Ensures Transparent Bursary Process in Kitisuru Ward
Education Politics

Tim Wanyonyi Ensures Transparent Bursary Process in Kitisuru Ward

Today marked the final day of the NG-CDF bursary application process in Kitisuru Ward, a key initiative aimed at supporting...
Read More
Tim Wanyonyi Leads Transparent Bursary Application Process in Mt View Ward
Education Politics

Tim Wanyonyi Leads Transparent Bursary Application Process in Mt View Ward

The residents of Mt. View Ward gathered in large numbers at Kabete National Polytechnic grounds for the NG-CDF bursary application...
Read More
Tim Wanyonyi: “Education is the Key to Progress” as Parklands Bursary Program Benefits 1,300 Students
Education Politics

Tim Wanyonyi: “Education is the Key to Progress” as Parklands Bursary Program Benefits 1,300 Students

Parklands Ward residents turned up in large numbers at Highridge Primary School for the bursary application process under the Westlands...
Read More
Tim Wanyonyi Champions Education: NG-CDF Bursary Applications Processed in Kangemi
Education Politics

Tim Wanyonyi Champions Education: NG-CDF Bursary Applications Processed in Kangemi

Westlands NG-CDF held a bursary application exercise at Kabete National Polytechnic, processing 1,300 applications—1,000 for secondary school students and 300...
Read More
Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi Oversees NG-CDF Bursary Applications in Karura
Politics

Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi Oversees NG-CDF Bursary Applications in Karura

Westlands MP Hon. Tim Wanyonyi today led the NG-CDF bursary application process in Githogoro and Gachie, Karura Ward, where hundreds...
Read More
SKL Announces Historic Move to List on the Nairobi Securities Exchange
Business

SKL Announces Historic Move to List on the Nairobi Securities Exchange

Shri Krishana Overseas Limited Takes Monumental Step Towards NSE Listing Shri Krishana Overseas Limited (SKL) reached a historic milestone on...
Read More
Mbunge Tim Wanyonyi Akemea Utekaji Nyara na Athibitisha Nafasi ya ODM Kama Upinzani
Politics

Mbunge Tim Wanyonyi Akemea Utekaji Nyara na Athibitisha Nafasi ya ODM Kama Upinzani

Nairobi, Kenya Mbunge wa Westlands, Hon. Tim Wanyonyi, alizungumza kwenye KBC Radio Taifa asubuhi ya leo kuhusu masuala muhimu yanayoathiri...
Read More
1 2 3 34

Share