Home FRENCH OPEN WTA - SINGLES TENNIS Iga Swiatek Opens French Open Campaign with Renewed Focus

Iga Swiatek Opens French Open Campaign with Renewed Focus

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Iga Swiatek
Swiatek feels positive and ready to fight at French Open

The 4-time French Open champion says each Roland Garros win feels different as she opens her 2025 campaign against Emerson Jones on Monday.


After a strong run to the Rome semi-finals, Iga Swiatek arrives at Roland Garros focused on fighting for another title, not on rankings or past status...


Iga Swiatek heads into the French Open feeling positive and ready to fight, even though she’s no longer the defending champion for the first time since 2022. The Pole said on Friday that the change “doesn’t matter” to her.

Swiatek won Roland Garros for the first time in 2020, then claimed three titles in a row from 2022 to 2024.

Last year she lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the Paris semifinals, then bounced back to win her first Wimbledon title.

The world No. 3 turns 25 during the second Sunday of the tournament. She plans to draw on all her memories at Roland Garros when she starts against Australia’s Emerson Jones on Monday.




“I remember all these tournaments that I played here if I won or not. It all kind of comes up as one memory. I don't particularly think on last year,” she said. “Doesn't really matter.”


She said it doesn’t change much that she won’t walk onto court as world No. 1 or as the undisputed queen of clay.


To an outsider every title might look the same, she explained, but when she reflects on her Roland Garros wins, each one stands apart.


“I wouldn't split these situations like this: when I was dominating or not dominating, because even when I was dominating, I felt sometimes good, sometimes really anxious, sometimes I didn't care and I just went for it.


“For example, '23... I had a good tournament here and I won. I never felt that anxious.


“In 2024, every day I just enjoyed. I really didn't feel any kind of pressure from the outside. Maybe I was really focused just on myself. I was really in the zone, in my own bubble, and I went for it.”


Last year, Swiatek arrived in Paris after a second-round loss in Rome, which she called a “cold, cold shower.”


“I felt like I needed to really work more in a tennis way than mental on these tournaments, but I felt a lot of pressure, a lot,” she said.


“Everybody was just looking at my clay court results and judging.”


This year she comes to Paris on a high after reaching the semi-finals in Rome. She showed signs of her top form there before falling in three sets to Elina Svitolina.


Last year, she said, “I felt terrible on the court in Rome, so for sure, this year, after a couple of good matches, there is (a) more positive vibe.”


“I also had the chance to play under pressure, to play short matches. I get the vibe of the matches. I'm in the match rhythm, which is great, comparing to last year. But still, this is a totally different tournament with different conditions right now, especially with the heat,” Swiatek added.


“You need to be humble and start knowing that you're willing to fight for every match.”



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