Iga Sviatek can win her third title at Roland Garros (a match with Karolina Mukhova in the grand final), and the athlete from Poland was asked at a press conference whether she sees herself as equal to the successful performances of Rafael Nadal on the Paris clay.

Beatrice Haddad Maya, Tough Rival: “You have to change what you’re doing because she’s clumsy”

Haddad Maia was the player who gave the Polish athlete the most problems at this edition of the Paris Grand Slam, and Iga explained that Beatrice is different from most players on the WTA circuit (she is left-handed).

“I am happy to be in the final again. It was a tough match, especially in the second set. It was stressful at times, so I’m glad I was strong and managed to finish in the tiebreak.

It was not easy and Beatrice played very well. She uses the fact that she is clumsy and uses the effect on the serve. A little differently tactically.

You always have to change a lot of things you do on the court because it’s clumsy. But I knew I could use my strength on clay. I was very confident today” – Iga Svyatekquoted by PuntoDeBreak.

Karolina Mukhova, a player who can do everything

Svyatek and Mukhova have met twice before, with Carolina winning both matches: 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 in Prague (2019) and 6-4, 2-6, 10-8 in Prostejov (2020, exhibition tournament).

Although she has not met Karolina for a long time, Iga says that she knows her very well and feels that she is ready for the big final.

“I think I still know Karolina’s game because I have trained with her many times since 2019 and I also follow her more than other players.

I really like her game, I respect her and I feel that she is a player who can do anything. He has great shots, can speed up the game and has great technique. I’ve seen his matches and I think I know his game very well, but during a match it’s different and I’ll be ready no matter what.

I can only imagine how (Muchova and Sabalenko) felt because of all the ups and downs they had in the match, and it wasn’t good. It was as if I felt what they felt.

I tried to focus on myself, but obviously I had to look at the table. They are both fighters, so they fought until the end, so the score went one way, and then suddenly it was tied again. I didn’t watch the match, I just watched the score” – Iga Svyatek.

Is Iga Svyatek not inferior to Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros?

Iga, 22, could have won her third title at Roland Garros and was asked by reporters if she was motivated to become as dominant as Nadal (14 titles) on clay in Paris.

“I can’t say that there is motivation. I’m more of a person who tries to do my best every day and hopes for the best. But unlike Rafa, what he has done and continues to do is impressive.

I never thought it was possible for me, it was completely out of reach for me. He has played very well over the years, I don’t know if it will be possible for me. But I just try to compete and keep calm year after year, take it one step at a time.

I’m happy that I don’t have to deal with a lot of the things that I faced at the Australian Open. On dirt, I feel like I have more weapons than on hard ground” – Iga Svyatek.

Iga Svyatek, an incredible journey to Roland Garros 2023

Round 1: 6-4, 6-0 against Kristina Bushka (70 WTA).

Round 2: 6-4, 6-0 vs Claire Liu (102 WTA)

Round 3: 6-0, 6-0 vs Xinyu Wang (80 WTA)

Best: 5-1 (elimination) against Lesia Tsurenko (66 WTA)

Quarters: 6-4, 6-2 against Coco Hauf (6 WTA)

Semifinals: 6-2, 7-6(7) against Beatrice Haddad Maia (14 WTA).

The Roland Garros tournament takes place from May 28 to June 11, has a total prize pool of 49.6 million euros, and is the 127th tournament. Iga Sviatek and Rafael Nadal (14-time winner in Paris) became the champions of the title.