"Swiatek slides better than Nadal, Djokovic and Williams" claims McEnroe
WTA
Seven-time Grand Slam champion John McEnroe has been left in awe by Iga Swiatek's movement, after the world No. 1 began her French Open campaign in dominant fashion.
The young Pole is currently on a stunning 30-match winning streak. That feat was achieved by sweeping aside Allison Riske 6-0 6-2 on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. She did not face a single break point during the match.
Swiatek came into the French Open after winning an incredible five tournaments in a row. These were in Doha, Indian Wells, Miami, Stuttgart and in Rome. She defeated opponents like Naomi Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka in the finals of those events.
What Swiatek is achieving has not been seen in women's tennis for a long time. All aspects of her game have been terrific, but McEnroe has picked out one specific area.
The former runner-up in Paris told Eurosport that there is an aspect of her movement which is even better than the legendary Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic on clay.
"She is an incredible athlete. I don't think I have ever seen a player - and this includes Nadal and Djokovic - that move, slide into their backhand, the open stance two-hander and the forehand,"
Although McEnroe acknowledged that Swiatek is not the most powerful player ever seen in the women's game, he does not think there has been a better mover on clay than the world No. 1.
I think Serena hits a bigger ball. I don't think she slides the way Swiatek does. I've never seen anyone so smooth on the clay courts."
McEnroe does think that Swiatek still has some improvement to do outside of clay, but he does feel she is starting to do that, which her results in Doha, Indian Wells, and Miami certainly indicate.
"She is so full of confidence. I remember, because I do interviews with a lot of journalists and often times I talk to the Polish journalists and they ask me about her and I say wait until she learns to play on hard courts and, she is starting to do that."
