Iga Swiatek makes honest admission about her maiden Slam title at French Open 2020: "I thought it was impossible"

Iga Swiatek was ranked 54th in the world in the autumn of 2020 when the Roland Garros was held. That year's event was pushed back in the schedule due to the pandemic. It was actually held a few weeks after the US Open and saw Rafael Nadal win it on the men's side by beating Novak Djokovic in the final.

On the women's side, there was a massive surprise as Swiatek won it. She was a fairly promising young player back then, though nobody expected the 19-year-old to win it. Maybe sometime in the future, but surely not after what was largely a disappointing season.

Swiatek herself acknowledged that during an exclusive interview with Caroline Garcia and her partner on their Tennis Insider Club podcast. She confirmed in that talk that she thought it was largely impossible because it seemed abstract to even consider it.

“Oh my God. I thought it was impossible. It was never my goal because it was too abstract, you know. I thought it’s a goal for somebody who's like Top 10 at least. I remember the season overall was my worst season if I would take out this Roland Garros out." (13:08)

In fact, there was talk within her team about possibly not playing anymore that year. She talked to her coach, and her coach also talked to her dad. Together, they decided that Roland Garros was ultimately going to be her last event after which she would finish her season and simply reset.

"I think I lost everywhere in the second round. Also in Rome. I just went there, and I remember my coach, even he didn’t know what to do because I played so badly in Rome... I remember he talked to my dad as well. They decided I should just come back home and reset."

Ultimately, though, she went to Roland Garros without any kind of pressure. She approached every match as it was and produced one of her better career runs to cruise to the trophy. She didn't struggle in any of her matches, but she also doesn't know how and why it happened.

"I went to Roland Garros, and that was the last tournament of the season. Whatever, and then it happened. Don’t ask me how because I don’t know."

With the win, Swiatek improved to number 17 in the rankings, and that was the start of what is now a Hall of Fame career.

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First but not the last for Iga Swiatek

That 2020 Roland Garros triumph was certainly not the last Grand Slam title she had. It was neither the last Roland Garros because she would go on to win three more, including last year. She won in 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

The US Open in 2022 was another one of Iga Swiatek's titles. The hope for 2025 is rather simple. She wants to add a couple more, and the upcoming Australian Open will be her first chance to add to that tally. After making a strong start at the United Cup with a couple of wins, Swiatek is in prime position to get it done.