As the 2025 French Open unfolds on the red clay of Roland Garros, Iga Swiatek stands as the undisputed queen of the courts, with her dominance drawing high praise from tennis legend and former world No. 2 Agnieszka Radwanska. The 23-year-old Pole, chasing a historic fourth consecutive French Open title, has once again asserted her supremacy, dispatching Rebecca Sramkova 6-3, 6-4 in the first round and setting up a blockbuster second-round clash with a resurgent Emma Raducanu. Radwanska, a compatriot and former Wimbledon finalist, issued a bold warning to Swiatek’s rivals: “You always need to count on Iga Swiatek at the French Open.” Her words underscore the formidable challenge facing the women’s field as Swiatek aims to cement her legacy as one of the greatest clay-court players in history.
Swiatek’s reign at Roland Garros is nothing short of extraordinary. With four titles already to her name—2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024—she has matched the feats of legends like Justine Henin and is closing in on Chris Evert’s record of seven French Open crowns. Her first-round performance against Sramkova was a masterclass in precision, with Swiatek hitting 28 winners and converting three of five break points in a 78-minute victory. “I feel good,” Swiatek said post-match, reflecting on her comfort on clay. “I’m really happy to be back and just play my game.” Her ability to blend aggressive baseline play with deft touch at the net has made her a nightmare for opponents, and her 43-5 career record at the tournament speaks to her near-invincibility on Parisian clay.
Radwanska, who reached the 2012 Wimbledon final and faced Swiatek during her own playing days, emphasized the mental and tactical edge that sets her compatriot apart. “When Iga is playing her best tennis, it’s very hard to beat her,” she said, pointing to Swiatek’s relentless consistency and adaptability. Despite a challenging 2025 season that saw her lose to Coco Gauff in Madrid and Danielle Collins in Rome, Swiatek’s clay-court prowess remains unmatched. Her 6-1, 6-2 thrashing of Gauff at the 2024 French Open final, where she dropped just one set en route to the title, serves as a reminder of her dominance. Radwanska noted, “She’s won it four times, so she’s obviously the favorite,” a sentiment echoed by bookmakers who have installed Swiatek as the odds-on favorite to lift the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen again.
The road ahead is not without challenges. Swiatek’s second-round opponent, Emma Raducanu, has rediscovered her form under coach Mark Petchey, posting an 8-3 record since March and reaching the Rome round of 16. “Iga’s a great player, but I’m ready to compete,” Raducanu said, her confidence buoyed by a recent 6-1, 6-3 rout of Daria Kasatkina in Strasbourg. Swiatek, however, remains unfazed, focusing on her own game: “I’m not thinking about who I’m playing next; I just want to play my tennis.” Later in the draw, potential matchups with Gauff, who defeated her in Madrid, or No. 3 seed Aryna Sabalenka loom large, but Radwanska believes Swiatek’s experience gives her the edge. “She knows how to win here,” Radwanska said, highlighting her mental fortitude.
Beyond her on-court brilliance, Swiatek has also addressed off-court controversies, including the French Open’s scheduling practices. With no women’s matches slated for the prime-time 8:15 p.m. slot on Court Philippe-Chatrier in 2025, Swiatek offered a pragmatic view: “Every year we talk about it. My position didn’t change. I like playing day.” She suggested earlier evening slots, like 6:30 p.m., as a compromise, reflecting her focus on performance over publicity. Her comments align with those of Gauff, who also prefers daytime matches but called for more equitable scheduling. Swiatek’s ability to navigate these discussions while maintaining her focus has earned her admiration, with Radwanska praising her as “a great ambassador for Polish tennis.”
Swiatek’s personal connection to Roland Garros adds depth to her story. She has spoken of her love for the tournament’s history and atmosphere, noting, “It’s a special place for me; I feel at home here.” Her connection to Poland, shared with Radwanska, fuels her drive to inspire younger players. Off the court, Swiatek has embraced her role as a leader, engaging in charity work and promoting mental health awareness, inspired by her own experiences managing the pressures of stardom. As she progresses through the tournament, the tennis world watches in awe, with Radwanska’s warning ringing true: Swiatek is the player to beat. Whether facing Raducanu’s flair, Gauff’s power, or Sabalenka’s intensity, Swiatek’s blend of skill, resilience, and clay-court mastery makes her the one to “always count on” at Roland Garros.
# Iga Swiatek’s French Open Dominance Hailed by Agnieszka Radwanska
## The Queen of Clay
Iga Swiatek, the 23-year-old Polish star, is once again the player to beat at the 2025 French Open, with former world No. 2 Agnieszka Radwanska warning rivals, “You always need to count on Iga Swiatek at the French Open.” Chasing a fourth consecutive title, Swiatek opened her campaign with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Rebecca Sramkova, setting up a second-round clash with Emma Raducanu. Her dominance on clay has drawn comparisons to legends like Chris Evert, with a 43-5 record at Roland Garros.
## A Commanding Start
Swiatek’s first-round performance was clinical, with 28 winners and three break points converted in 78 minutes. “I feel good,” she said. “I’m really happy to be back and just play my game.” Her blend of aggressive baseline play and net finesse makes her a formidable force, and her four titles (2020, 2022-2024) position her as a favorite to match Evert’s seven French Open crowns.
## Radwanska’s Praise
Radwanska, a 2012 Wimbledon finalist, lauded Swiatek’s mental and tactical edge. “When Iga is playing her best tennis, it’s very hard to beat her,” she said. Despite losses to Coco Gauff and Danielle Collins in 2025, Swiatek’s clay-court prowess remains unmatched. “She’s won it four times, so she’s obviously the favorite,” Radwanska added, noting her compatriot’s ability to handle pressure.
## Challenges Ahead
Swiatek faces a resurgent Raducanu, who said, “Iga’s a great player, but I’m ready to compete.” Potential later matchups with Gauff or Aryna Sabalenka loom, but Swiatek remains focused: “I’m not thinking about who I’m playing next; I just want to play my tennis.” Radwanska emphasized her experience: “She knows how to win here.”
## Addressing Controversy
Swiatek also addressed the lack of women’s matches in the French Open’s 8:15 p.m. slot. “Every year we talk about it. My position didn’t change. I like playing day,” she said, suggesting earlier evening slots as a solution. Her pragmatic approach aligns with her focus on performance over publicity.
## A Polish Legacy
Swiatek’s connection to Roland Garros and Poland fuels her drive. “It’s a special place for me; I feel at home here,” she said. Radwanska called her “a great ambassador for Polish tennis,” praising her off-court efforts in charity and mental health advocacy. As Swiatek advances, her blend of skill and resilience makes her the one to watch.
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