Favourite Iga Swiatek quells Karolina Muchova comeback to defend French Open title

PARIS: Iga Swiatek went down on her haunches and wept in disbelief. It was the Pole's fourth Grand Slam title, her third French Open. At the other end, Karolina Muchova bit back her tears and made it to the middle to congratulate the champion. A title match with a scoreline and no losers.


The 2 hours and 46-minute battle -of big strikes and stirring sense of court, fierce and pitched -finished on a double-fault. An anomaly. But those were the stakes and the World No. 1's reaction was to the match and not the moment.

Swiatek, who took home a cheque for Euros 2,300,000 along with the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen, in her last two finals in Roland Garros, dropped five games against Sofia Kenin (2020) and four against Coco Gauff (2022), such was her domination. The runner-up, who enjoyed her best pay day, Euros 1,150,000, underlined that this was just the beginning.

Swiatek fittingly wasted no time in applauding her opponent. "From the first time we played, I was struck by your variety on the court. I hope we are going to have many more finals," the champion, the youngest since Monica Seles (1990, 1991, 1992) to win consecutive titles at Roland Garros, said, before turning to the crowd. "I love being here, my favourite place on Tour."

Muchova, who had the crowd behind her for most of the final, said the energy in the arena was unbelievable. She then looked to her box - coaches, trainers and her parents - composed herself and said, "When I look at my box, I feel like I'm the winner, so thank you."

Swiatek, the top-seed, had led 6-2, 3-0 when Muchova, who was reaching from so far out that the periphery teased her, turned on the lights on Court Philippe-Chatrier with her shot-making of the mousseux vibe. The 26-year-old Czech came within a point of putting herself in position to serve out the final, but Swiatek, flawless at the finish line, won six of the last seven points to score a memorable 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 win.

Swiatek, 22, who owns a Tour-leading 19 match wins on clay this year, will extend her stay at World No. 1. The week of June 12 will be her 63rd consecutive week in the top spot.

When Muchova and Swiatek last stood across the net on a match court, four years ago, in Prague on clay. The Pole, then 18, was ranked 109, and had come through the qualifiers. Muchova, a wildcard entrant, showcased her entire range.


Swiatek has enjoyed watching Muchova on the court over the years. The way she uses space and the impatience with which she covers ground. Clearly the world No. 1 had watched carefully.