Iga Swiatek has talked about her status as the clear favorite to win the Roland Garros after her resounding Italian Open triumph against Aryna Sabalenka.
The WTA #1 also explained her chilled out mindset of completing the Madrid-Rome double as she seemed satisfied with a impressive statistic after her successful run.
Swiatek defeated Sabalenka 6-2, 6-3 in the final at the Foro Italico to win her third Italian Open title. The Pole now holds an 8-3 record against the World No. 2. The championship match was a recap of the enthralling Madrid Open final two weeks ago where Swiatek prevailed against the Belarusian in a deciding set tiebreak after saving 3 match-points.
The Rome Masters 1000 title match seemed far more one-sided affair than Madrid as the World No. 1 broke her opponent twice in each set while holding her serve, though she crucially fend off 7 break points in her first two service games of the second frame.
Swiatek who is now on a 12-match win streak after claiming back to back titles, didn’t drop a set in her six matches at Rome. With the victory in Roman capital, the 4-time GS champion has now earned 4th WTA 1000 title in 2024 and is already a big favorite to seal another French open title this year.
“Well, I’m No 1, so I’m the favorite everywhere if you look at rankings,” Swiatek said. “But rankings don’t play, so… I’ll do everything step by step and we’ll see.”
It was then put to Swiatek that she looked “chilled out” despite achieving the Madrid and Rome double.
“I’m chilled out maybe compared to Madrid after the final because obviously this final was so surreal,” she explained. “It is a little bit different. But it doesn’t change the fact that I’m really proud of myself and really happy.
“I need to maybe watch some highlights or anything to feel these emotions a little bit longer. I’m chilled out because I kind of knew that if I’m going to work hard and if I’m going to be in the right mindset, this is achievable.
“I’m happy I was so focused and disciplined throughout the tournament to do that. I feel like I’m in the right place.”
The 22-year was also asked about saving 18 of the last 19 break points she faced during her last three matches in Rome, including all seven in the final.
“Well, overall I try to treat these points as any other point,” said the Pole. “I’m not feeling like I’m under so much pressure. Maybe also because I know I’m a great returner, even if I’m going to get broken, I can work it out.
“I think on this tournament, my serve was kind of really helping me. All this work that we’ve been putting actually paid off in those important moments. So, yeah, I’m really happy with that because that’s what we’ve been working for.”