Tennis legend John McEnroe has analysed what sets Iga Swiatek apart from her WTA rivals on clay as the Polish star chases another title in Paris.
The former world No 1 would be surprised if Swiatek does not win at least three or four more Roland Garros crowns, while highlighting the “different pressure” that comes with being “expected to win every time.”
Swiatek is looking to claim her fourth French Open title at the 2024 edition of the clay-court Grand Slam, having won the event in three of the last four years.
The 23-year-old secured the first of her four Major crowns at Roland Garros in 2020, when she dropped just 28 games en route to the title as an unseeded player.
The world No 1 also triumphed in Paris 2022 and 2023, while she won her only Grand Slam to date outside the French Open at the US Open in 2022.
Swiatek will face world No 3 Coco Gauff in the semi-finals at this year’s tournament today as she looks to improve her 10-1 head-to-head record against the American.
The five players to win 6-0, 6-0 at the French Open more than once since 1990: Iga Swiatek joins list
McEnroe discussed Swiatek’s dominance on clay and compared her with her idol Rafael Nadal, a 14-time French open winner.
“She’s a natural mover on clay. She gets in and out of the corners better than any player, including most male players, too,” the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion told Eurosport.
“She just has an understanding of the court and a comfort level that players don’t have in her game naturally. You know, it was more effective.
“Obviously, she can play on other surfaces. She’s still learning, maybe on grass. She’s still learning to hone her skills at the net. But you don’t need some of that here. And so what she brings is an intensity, and a level that most players can’t match.
“Off the ground, she can take the ball early. She can play defence when she needs to. So, she’s extremely difficult to beat.
“It’d be surprising if she doesn’t win three or four more of them at least. We’ll see what happens. But she certainly knows what she’s doing on this court.
“Iga wants to be like Rafa, obviously, who wouldn’t on clay? She’s doing pretty good so far, winning three out of four French Opens.
“I certainly don’t think anyone’s going to do what Rafa did, but then again, I didn’t think anyone would do what Bjorn did when he won six out of eight. Who knows?
“But when you’re expected to win every time, that’s a different pressure. I picked her to win, but there are players still in that could beat her, so it’s going to be interesting.”
4 incredible Grand Slam milestones highlight improved WTA consistency at French Open