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Swiatek, younger set thriving in women’s tennis

Swiatek, younger set thriving in women’s tennis

Iga Swiatek took note when Naomi Osaka was accumulating three Grand Slam trophies by age 22.



Poland's Iga Swiatek, suddenly becoming a Grand Slam champion at the age of 19, poses with her trophy during a photo call on the rooftop of Galeries Lafayette, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, after winning the final match of the French Open tennis tournament against Sofia Kenin of the U.S. at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Saturday. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

© Provided by Associated Press
Poland’s Iga Swiatek, suddenly becoming a Grand Slam champion at the age of 19, poses with her trophy during a photo call on the rooftop of Galeries Lafayette, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, after winning the final match of the French Open tennis tournament against Sofia Kenin of the U.S. at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Saturday. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Swiatek also was paying attention, of course, when Bianca Andreescu won her first major at 19. And when Sofia Kenin added her name to the list of Slam champions at 21.

“For sure, it’s, like, inspiring. I know that there are no limits,” Swiatek, still just 19 herself, said Saturday after winning the French Open for the first tour-level title of her nascent career. “Even though you’re really young, and you’re an underdog, you can do a lot in a sport like tennis.”



Poland's Iga Swiatek, right, holds the trophy after winning the final match of the French Open tennis tournament against Sofia Kenin of the U.S., left, in two sets 6-4, 6-1, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

© Provided by Associated Press
Poland’s Iga Swiatek, right, holds the trophy after winning the final match of the French Open tennis tournament against Sofia Kenin of the U.S., left, in two sets 6-4, 6-1, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

The old guard of men’s tennis has been holding off the kids for years and years, with Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal in the French Open final Sunday just the latest example of the Big Three’s hold on that segment of the sport. For the women, there is a whole new wave of talent breaking through, time after time, and it augurs a fascinating future.

Swiatek is merely the latest example of a fresh face with the talent to make her a factor for years.

… Read the rest
Analysis: Swiatek, younger set thriving in women’s tennis

Analysis: Swiatek, younger set thriving in women’s tennis

Iga Swiatek took note when Naomi Osaka was accumulating three Grand Slam trophies by age 22.

Swiatek also was paying attention, of course, when Bianca Andreescu won her first major at 19. And when Sofia Kenin added her name to the list of Slam champions at 21.

“For sure, it’s, like, inspiring. I know that there are no limits,” Swiatek, still just 19 herself, said Saturday after winning the French Open for the first tour-level title of her nascent career. “Even though you’re really young, and you’re an underdog, you can do a lot in a sport like tennis.”

The old guard of men’s tennis has been holding off the kids for years and years, with Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal in the French Open final Sunday just the latest example of the Big Three’s hold on that segment of the sport. For the women, there is a whole new wave of talent breaking through, time after time, and it augurs a fascinating future.

Swiatek is merely the latest example of a fresh face with the talent to make her a factor for years.

She beat Kenin 6-4, 6-1 at Roland Garros on Saturday to wrap up a remarkable run, never dropping a set, and losing just 28 games, en route to becoming a Grand Slam champion in only her seventh appearance at one of the sport’s biggest events.

“Maybe it just had to be like that — that another underdog is going to win a Grand Slam in women’s tennis,” Swiatek said. “It’s (happening) so often right now that it’s crazy.”

That’s true. The younger set is thriving. And coming from new places, too.

Osaka was the first player from Japan — man or woman — to earn a Grand Slam singles title when she did it at the

… Read the rest
Analysis: Swiatek, younger set thriving in women’s tennis

Analysis: Swiatek, younger set thriving in women’s tennis

Iga Swiatek took note when Naomi Osaka was accumulating three Grand Slam trophies by age 22.

Swiatek also was paying attention, of course, when Bianca Andreescu won her first major at 19. And when Sofia Kenin added her name to the list of Slam champions at 21.

“For sure, it’s, like, inspiring. I know that there are no limits,” Swiatek, still just 19 herself, said Saturday after winning the French Open for the first tour-level title of her nascent career. “Even though you’re really young, and you’re an underdog, you can do a lot in a sport like tennis.”

The old guard of men’s tennis has been holding off the kids for years and years, with Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal in the French Open final Sunday just the latest example of the Big Three’s hold on that segment of the sport. For the women, there is a whole new wave of talent breaking through, time after time, and it augurs a fascinating future.

Swiatek is merely the latest example of a fresh face with the talent to make her a factor for years.

She beat Kenin 6-4, 6-1 at Roland Garros on Saturday to wrap up a remarkable run, never dropping a set, and losing just 28 games, en route to becoming a Grand Slam champion in only her seventh appearance at one of the sport’s biggest events.

“Maybe it just had to be like that — that another underdog is going to win a Grand Slam in women’s tennis,” Swiatek said. “It’s (happening) so often right now that it’s crazy.”

That’s true. The younger set is thriving. And coming from new places, too.

Osaka was the first player from Japan — man or woman — to earn a Grand Slam singles title when she did it at the

… Read the rest