In the vibrant arena of Roland Garros, where the red clay courts pulse with the intensity of Grand Slam tennis, Iga Swiatek, the four-time French Open champion, added a touch of levity to her 2025 campaign. On May 30, after a commanding 6-2, 7-5 victory over Jaqueline Cristian in the third round, the 23-year-old Pole faced a question that cracked her typically composed demeanor. Asked whether she preferred to face Jelena Ostapenko or Elena Rybakina in the fourth round, Swiatek’s attempt to play coy dissolved into laughter, revealing a rare glimpse of her personality amid the high stakes of her quest for a historic four-peat. “No,” she said, before bursting into giggles. “Am I a good liar? Let’s say it doesn’t matter, really. Oh my God, I couldn’t play poker!” The room erupted, and Swiatek’s candid moment became a highlight of the tournament, underscoring the mental weight of facing two formidable opponents.
Swiatek’s reluctance to admit a preference was understandable. Ostapenko, the 2017 Roland Garros champion, holds a daunting 6-0 head-to-head record against her, a rare blemish on Swiatek’s otherwise stellar career. The Latvian’s aggressive, risk-taking style—described as a “breathtaking barrage” of winners—has consistently disrupted Swiatek’s rhythm, with recent victories in Doha and Stuttgart amplifying the psychological challenge. “Every time I step on the court with her, it’s another battle, I’m ready for it,” Ostapenko said after their latest clash, highlighting her fearless approach. Rybakina, on the other hand, offers a more balanced matchup, with their head-to-head tied at 4-4. The Kazakh’s powerful serve and flat groundstrokes contrast with Swiatek’s relentless consistency, making their encounters, like Rybakina’s 6-4, 6-4 win at the 2023 Australian Open, fiercely competitive. “I’m nervous every time I’m on court, but I try to show calm,” Rybakina once noted, a sentiment that resonates as she prepares to face Swiatek on June 1.
The question of Swiatek’s opponent was answered decisively when Rybakina demolished Ostapenko 6-2, 6-2 in the third round, setting up a blockbuster fourth-round clash. Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion and fresh off a title in Strasbourg, showcased her devastating ball-striking, dropping just four games in a match that lasted under an hour. “Elena is winning, so yeah, we’ll see,” Swiatek had said cautiously during her press conference, as Rybakina’s dominance unfolded on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. The scheduling of that match on a secondary court sparked fan outrage, with one social media post fuming, “Why is one of your greatest players ever Iga Swiatek not playing on Chatrier??? It’s just so blood boiling.” Yet, Swiatek, who prefers daytime matches for better rest, seemed unfazed, her focus locked on extending her 24-match Roland Garros win streak.
Swiatek’s journey through the 2025 French Open has been a masterclass in dominance. Unseeded at No. 5—her lowest Grand Slam seeding since 2022—she dispatched Rebecca Sramkova and Emma Raducanu without dropping a set, before overcoming Cristian’s late surge. Her 38-2 career record in Paris, matched only by Chris Evert in the Open Era, positions her as a favorite to become the first woman since Suzanne Lenglen in 1923 to win four consecutive French Open titles. Yet, the shadow of Ostapenko loomed large. “I tried to be aggressive today, to take time away from her,” Ostapenko said after her Stuttgart win, a strategy that turns Swiatek’s serve into a liability, reducing her first-serve win rate to a dismal 52%. Rybakina, while challenging, lacks the same psychological edge, making her the opponent Swiatek subtly preferred.
The upcoming clash with Rybakina, set for Sunday, June 1, promises a tactical battle. Swiatek’s clay-court prowess, honed through titles in Madrid and Rome last year, faces Rybakina’s recent form, including a Cincinnati win over Swiatek in 2023. “Both matches are going to be a challenge,” Swiatek had said, diplomatic before her poker face faltered. Her candid laughter revealed not just relief but the human side of a champion under pressure. As she chases history, Swiatek’s ability to navigate tough draws and shrug off mental hurdles—like her “kryptonite” Ostapenko—will define her legacy. With top seed Aryna Sabalenka also advancing, the women’s draw is heating up, but Swiatek’s blend of skill and humor keeps her at the heart of Roland Garros’ drama.
— 1GA Daily (@shetookthem) May 30, 2025
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