Iga Swiatek endured a tough match with Naomi Osaka in the earlier rounds of the 2024 Roland Garros, and the win helped her confidence.
That match was crazy because the Japanese player blasted over 50 winners in three sets to almost oust Swiatek. Osaka was putting a lot of pressure on the world no. 1 and had match points, but couldn't quite finish it off, and the world number one won the match.
It proved to be a very important match for the Pole because she emerged as far more confident after that match, beating opponents left and right. Her most recent win over Coco Gauff secured her the final, where she'll be favored to win the event for a fourth time.
Even the 23-year-old agreed that something changed after that match against Osaka, as she felt much better on the court afterward.
"For sure, something changed. I would say I just adjusted better to the court and you know, it's not easy to play the first matches of a Grand Slam. The atmosphere is much different than other tournaments."
Another thing that Swiatek mentioned as possibly helping her game was the weather because she found her tennis working far better in the dry conditions compared to the wet weather that was the theme for the first week of this year's French Open.
The ball flies faster, which is good for a baseliner like Swiatek, who puts a lot of power into her shots. It's easier to hit a winner, which is the basis of her tennis.
"I guess Naomi for sure, I didn't have time to kind of get into it. It was just intense from the beginning and she put pressure on me, so I'm happy that I handled it well and after that, the weather changed also. So, it helps my game, I feel. I just gained confidence I would say."
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