Iga Swiatek has now done something which no WTA or ATP player born after 2000 can match

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Iga Swiatek extended an impressive record after securing victory at the Madrid Open.

The World number one claimed the title in the Spanish capital for the first time in her career following a hard-fought victory over Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka.

This is the third title Swiatek has won in 2024 and she did so while beating one of her biggest rivals on the circuit.

Iga Swiatek reaches landmark no other player has born after the year 2000

The Polish star then celebrated with the trophy following an epic three-hour battle and in the process claimed the 20th title of her career.

Therefore, the 22-year-old continued her impressive run of having the most championships of all players on the WTA and ATP tours born in the 2000s.

Carlos Alcaraz, 21, and Jannik Sinner, 22, are joint second with 13 titles each, with Coco Gauff, 20, fourth on the list with seven.

For Swiatek to be leading the way in the new generation really does show the talent levels that she possesses and she heads into the French Open as the red hot favourite to lift the title.

How did Swiatek claim the Madrid Open title?

Swiatek has proven to be a shrewd operator on the clay, with her three Roland Garros titles being a prime example of her abilities on the dirt.

But to add the Madrid title to her résumé, she had to do it the hard way as Sabalenka was determined to defeat Swiatek in Madrid for the second successive year.

The Belarusian had proven a tough nut to crack as five of her six matches went to three sets and she was on the verge of being eliminated against both Danielle Collins and Elena Rybakina.

It was Swiatek who made as strong start to the final by claiming the first set 7-5, but the 26-year-old stormed back to level the match and forge ahead 3-1 in the decider.

But the four-time Grand Slam champion would not be denied as she battled back and saved three match points, before securing a 7-5 4-6 7-6(7) win in one of the season’s most compelling matches so far.

Following the win Swiatek, who began her 100th week as World No. 1 before the tournament said: “I’m really proud of myself and really happy, because when you have matches like that and when you actually have to fight through some stuff, it makes it even better. So I’m really proud of myself.”