French Open: Iga Swiatek in profile

Polish sensation and reigning French Open champion Iga Swiatek will attempt to defend her crown in Paris this year.

Since bursting on to the scene in 2019 Swiatek has quickly become one of the main forces on the WTA Tour. Already a three time Grand Slam champion at just 21-years-old, her domination of women's tennis shows no sign of slowing.

Her stunning run to the title in Paris in 2020 was, remarkably, her first WTA title when she defeated American ace Sofia Kenin in a comfortable straight sets victory, becoming the lowest-ranked French Open champion in the history of the WTA.

Swiatek is a exceptionally all-rounded player who favours attack over defence and utilises a wide range of shot styles to unravel her opponents. Possessing a powerful and accurate serve and often deploying clever and timely drop shots, it is little wonder the Polish star has risen to the top of the female game.

On top of the world and Iga for more

The 21-year-old climbed to the top of the WTA world rankings in 2022 during an incredible run of form that saw her go on a 37-match winning streak, picking up two Grand Slam titles in that time.

Her relentless streak also saw her capture three WTA 1000 events and claim the most wins in a season since 2013, when Serena Williams dominated the women's game.

Swiatek grew up playing on clay courts and has confirmed the surface is her favourite to compete on - an ominous statement for her rivals in Paris this year. 

Despite only competing in the French Open four times in her fledgling career, she has won two of them, small wonder she is the clear favourite for this years event at 5/6.

A third Paris title?

The Polish prodigy is the number one seed in Paris this year and will be looking to put the disappointment of her Australian Open campaign behind her, when she lost in straight sets to eventual finalist Elena Rybakina in the fourth round.

Her record on clay this season is good, if not quite to the standard of her phenomenal 2022 campaign. She won the WTA 500 in Stuttgart, beating rival Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets, before losing to Sabalenka in the final of the Madrid Open the next month.

Swiatek reached the last 16 at the Italian Open earlier this month before retiring injured in the decisive set, dropping just one set on her run to the quarter-finals. There are signs she may be approaching her best form at exactly the right time to claim her fourth Grand Slam.

She is available at 2/5 To Win 1+ Grand Slam this season, given her success in Paris so far in her career it looks likely she may add a third French Open title to her collection.