By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, May 31, 2024
A flood of emotions caused Iga Swiatek to break down in tears after her pulsating Roland Garros comeback conquest of Naomi Osaka.
World No. 1 Swiatek dug down with deep defiance denying match point in a 7-6(1), 1-6, 7-5 second-round victory over fellow four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka on Court Philippe Chatrier.
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Afterward, as Swiatek did her post-match stretching routine in the gym, Roland Garros cameras caught the overwhelming emotion erupt as Swiatek started crying.
The three-time Roland Garros champion said afterward the relief from her great escape prompted the emotional release.
"Maybe I was crying because there are cameras on the gym," Swiatek said. "Well, just overwhelmed with emotions. I honestly thought that I'm going to be out of the tournament.
"Even though I felt something on court, it kind of hit me after. I was happy that I won, but I still felt like I was really on the edge. So, yeah, I just cried."
No time for tears today as Swiatek shredded Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-2 to score her 17th straight Roland Garros win and reach the French Open fourth round for the sixth straight year.
Photo credit: Mateo Villalba/Getty