Tennis legend Martina Navratilova shared exactly what makes Iga Swiatek so dangerous on clay.
The World Number One sent an ominous warning to her rivals and she cruised to a third Italian Open win on the eve of defending her Roland Garros title.
Despite facing veteran Angelique Kerber and three of the world’s best in Madison Keys, Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka, the 22-year-old swept them aside to secure back-to-back titles in Madrid and Rome.
Swiatek became the first player to achieve this feat since Serena Williams in 2013 and she is the clear favourite to win a third successive French Open title.
She has left plenty in awe of her brilliance on the clay, including the 18-time Grand Slam champion, who secured two titles at the Paris major.
Martina Navratilova compares Iga Swiatek to fellow tennis icon
Swiatek is aiming to become the first player since Serena to claim the Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros titles in the same season.
She claimed the trophy in the Italian capital without dropping a set as she smothered her opponents with her relentless hitting and excellent movement.
Explaining what makes her so difficult to beat, Navratilova compared the World Number One to her great friend and former rival, seven-time French Open winner, Chris Evert.
“She’s been Chris Evert-like. That topspin drives you nuts, and I think she moves as good as anybody,” the former World Number One said. “Clay, she’s got that down to perfection, the sliding and the movement and recovery.
“Just wears you out from the baseline, playing aggressive. She’s got the consistency and the major wins. That’s why she’s been No.1 for so long. Paris is the perfect venue for her game.”
What Iga Swiatek said about her game after winning Italian Open
Swiatek hit 11 winners to just eight unforced errors in a strong performance against Sabalenka.
Another impressive statistic was her break point conversion. She was successful on four of her seven break opportunities, with the World Number Two failing to convert any of her seven chances.
Swiatek’s victory increased her run to six successive wins over top three players and her eighth successive finals win.
“I was playing well and solid,” Swiatek said. “I used my chances. For sure this match looked a little bit different than in Madrid. I felt like I’m putting a lot of pressure.
“I just continued doing that throughout the whole match. Honestly, Madrid, I didn’t feel like I could do everything. Here I kind of did.”
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