by Bob Stockton
@BobStockton10
Throughout the Open era, few players have dominated on clay like Rafael Nadal. The 35-year-old has over 30 clay titles to his name. In the women’s game, Simona Halep has flourished on clay, winning the French Open in 2018 and the Mutua Madrid Open in 2016 and 2017. However, Iga Swiatek’s rise to prominence promises Nadal-like dominance on clay within the women’s game. So, can the 20-year-old assert her authority on the famous red surface throughout the next decade and beyond?
Already a Grand Slam Champion, but Is There More to Come?
It speaks volumes about Swiatek’s rise to the pinnacle that she lifted her first Grand Slam title just two years after turning professional. Now, she has the chance to fill the void in women’s tennis and step up as a clay-court specialist. However, she’ll also hope to become a multi-surface champion following her 2020 French Open success. While her loss to Maria Sakkari in the Roland Garros quarterfinals thwarted her title defense in Paris, the 20-year-old could turn that dream into a reality at the 2021 US Open, which she is currently priced at +1400 to win in the tennis betting, although there are numerous contenders currently ranked above her.
Regarding Swiatek’s potential to dominate on clay, en route to winning the French Open for the first time in 2020, she didn’t drop a single set. Not only that, but the Polish right-hander also beat the 2018 champion, Halep, losing just three games across the two-set match. The 20-year-old continued her dominance through to the final, where she beat Sofia Kenin in straight sets. In triumphing at Roland Garros, Swiatek became the youngest French Open champion since 1992 and the first Polish player to win a Grand Slam singles title.
Competition from Barty and Halep
Few can argue that Swiatek doesn’t have a ruthless streak on clay. Because of that, comparisons with Nadal have become more common. According to GiveMeSport, the 20-year-old stands out from her rivals through her combination of spin and speed, while she also doesn’t feel the pressure of being a Grand Slam winner. Whether or not Swiatek has the consistency and longevity to match Nadal’s current 13 French Open triumphs remains unclear, especially as she’ll face continued competition from Ashleigh Barty and Halep.
Between 2008 and 2020, only two players won multiple French Open titles. Following Justine Henin’s dominance during the mid-2000s, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams are the only competitors to win two Roland Garros titles, showcasing how challenging it is to dominate on clay in the women’s game. While Swiatek will aspire to break the trend, there have been six different French Open winners in as many years. Barty, who dominated in 2019, uses her athleticism to flourish on clay, but even she couldn’t secure back-to-back French Open titles.
The Potential to Become a Clay Specialist
The likes of Barty and Halep are top-level players on clay, but there are disputes over whether the pair are natural red-surface talents. Swiatek, however, looks to be a cut above the rest. The 20-year-old has the talent to secure multiple French Open titles, but that alone isn’t enough. With further development and a sustained focus on greatness, she can undoubtedly challenge Chris Evert’s tally of seven Roland Garros triumphs.
