• Iga Swiatek is the new star of the women's circuit.

  • The new world number 1 has been undefeated since mid-February.

  • Already winner of Roland-Garros in 2020, the Pole is the big favorite of the tournament

At Roland Garros,

The numbers give the spin.

Opposed this Thursday to the Russian Daria Kasatkina in the semi-finals of Roland-Garros, Iga Swiatek remains on a crazy series of 33 consecutive victories since mid-February.

If she wins the tournament on Sunday, the Pole, already titled in 2020 in Paris, will even break the record of success in a row for a player in the 21st century.

Orphan of a real headliner since the pre-retirement of Serena Williams, women's tennis may well be finding its new boss.

And that's obviously a good thing for Guy Forget.

A spectacular game

“Tennis needs ambassadors and managers, people who run the house.

In men, we have seen it for fifteen years.

But for women, it's been pretty fluctuating lately.

In football, if I tell you Messi, Ronaldo, we've been talking about them for fifteen years and they've been talking about their sport.

It's not always good that it changes every month.

There, it's starting to stabilize and I think it's good, ”says the former tennis player.

Heir to the world number 1 sign since the sudden withdrawal of Australian Ashleigh Barty last March, Swiatek has fully assumed her status on the courts.

“I love this girl, she has an incredible game and she is doing well in women's tennis.

She makes the game evolve. She really goes forward and she is well above the others”, enthuses Henri Leconte.

"She has charisma, she can reach the public, she likes to play in front of people," added Justine Hénin in early April on Eurosport.

A committed player

But to hold the house, the results and the game are not enough.

In a marketed world like never before, you also need a strong personality capable of making an impression.

And that's good because the world number 1, despite her 21 years, has already started to assert herself and does not hesitate to get involved.

Last October, she paid $ 52,000, her third round earnings in Indian Wells, to an association that helps mental health.

She does not hesitate to say what she thinks like Wednesday at Roland-Garros where she reproached Amélie Mauresmo, the director of the tournament, for her explanations on the lack of programming of women's matches in the night session.

And since the invasion of Russia by Ukraine at the end of February, she has pinned a ribbon in the colors of Ukraine on her cap.

“We have to support Ukraine, there is much more important than sport”, insists the champion who knows that her new status as number 1 exposes her.

“I feel more pressure, more responsibilities that fall on me.

Because I still want to be involved, but on the other hand, I know that when I do too much, my tennis might suffer.

It's very difficult, but I try to find the right balance.

She works her mind with a shrink

To keep his head on his shoulders and not spread himself too thin, Swiatek works full-time with a sports psychologist.

In a women's circuit marked by the recent burnout of Naomi Osaka or Ashleigh Barty, the Pole relies on the services of her compatriot Daria Abramowicz who accompanies her on the tournaments.

A method that seems to work and that could give ideas to other players according to Tatiana Golovin.

“By working on the mental and psychological aspect with the shrink she travels to, she took on another dimension and believes in herself.

She will set an example for many players who will perhaps realize that it is not just necessary to play tennis and be physically strong, there is also the mind which is super important, ”assures the former French player.

Rivals to find

Results, mental and physical at the top, Iga Swiatek rolls on women's tennis.

But still be careful not to crush everyone to keep a minimum of suspense and interest.

“It's obviously good to have someone who is up there in your sights.

But it would still have to have a rival, which it does not yet have, ”notes DTN Nicolas Escudé.

“There should be two or three players for there to be competition.

That's how we manage to create great stories and that the public manages to follow”, confirms Golovin.

Even if Swiatek still lacks rivals, the Polish has everything to endorse the costume of the boss.

Still, a surprise cannot be ruled out by the end of Roland-Garros.

Over the past eight years, the tournament has rewarded eight different players including Swiatek in 2020. It is high time to restore order.

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