PARIS — World No. 1 Iga Świątek made a startling admission after her third-round victory at the 2024 French Open, revealing she "wanted" to lose the second set she dropped 6-1 against Marie Bouzková. The four-time Roland Garros champion's unconventional mindset during the match has sparked intrigue across the tennis world.
Świątek, who ultimately won the match 6-4, 1-6, 6-2, explained in her post-match press conference: "Sometimes you need to reset. I felt like giving away that set was necessary to come back stronger. It's not something I'd normally do, but today it felt right." The Polish star's tactical surrender marked just the fourth set she's lost at Roland Garros since 2020.
The Strategic Reset
Tennis analysts were initially baffled by Świątek's uncharacteristic collapse in the second set, where she committed 15 unforced errors compared to just 3 winners. However, her post-match comments revealed this was a deliberate strategy:
- "I needed to break my rhythm to find new solutions" - Świątek on changing tactics mid-match
- The 23-year-old won just 38% of second-serve points in set two before rebounding to 71% in the decider
- Bouzková's aggressive play forced Świątek into uncomfortable positions, prompting the unconventional approach
Coach Tomasz Wiktorowski later clarified: "Iga's ability to mentally reset shows her maturity. What might look like surrender was actually a calculated risk to regain control of the match's narrative." The tactic worked perfectly, with Świątek breaking early in the third set and never looking back.
Historical Context
This isn't the first time Świątek has employed unorthodox strategies at majors. During her 2022 US Open run, she famously changed racket tension mid-tournament. However, intentionally conceding a set represents a new level of tactical flexibility for the dominant clay-court specialist.
By The Numbers
Świątek's French Open dominance makes her set concession even more remarkable:
- 35-2 career record at Roland Garros before this match
- Had won 20 consecutive sets at the tournament prior to set two against Bouzková
- Just 4 lost sets total in her last four French Open appearances
The statistical anomaly prompted former champion Mats Wilander to comment: "Only a player of Iga's caliber could turn what appears to be a weakness into a weapon. This was a masterclass in match management."
Opponent Reaction
Bouzková, ranked 42nd, admitted she was caught off guard by Świątek's shift: "When she started missing more, I thought maybe she was tired. But then in the third set, she came out like a completely different player. That's why she's No. 1."
The Czech player had been one of only three women to take a set off Świątek on clay this season before their encounter. However, she acknowledged the mental challenge of facing an opponent willing to strategically sacrifice a set: "It's demoralizing when someone can flip a switch like that."
Expert Analysis
Sports psychologist Dr. Rebecca Symes explained the potential benefits of Świątek's approach: "High performers sometimes need to create artificial pressure release valves. By consciously 'letting go' of one set, she may have prevented subconscious tension from building in crucial moments."
Tennis strategist Craig O'Shannessy noted the historical precedent: "Björn Borg occasionally employed similar tactics in the 1970s. The difference is Iga is doing this while maintaining an aura of invincibility at Roland Garros."
Looking Ahead
Świątek's admission raises questions about whether this will become part of her regular repertoire. With tougher opponents looming in the later rounds, including potential matchups against Markéta Vondroušová or Coco Gauff, her willingness to adapt could prove crucial.
The three-time defending champion remained philosophical about the experience: "Not every victory needs to look perfect. Sometimes you win by losing, if that makes sense. Today was one of those days where the scoreboard didn't tell the full story."
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether Świątek's unconventional strategy becomes a defining moment of her 2024 campaign or merely an interesting footnote in another dominant Roland Garros performance.
With this victory, Świątek extended her current winning streak to 16 matches and moved closer to becoming just the third woman in the Open Era to win four consecutive French Open titles, joining Monica Seles and Justine Henin in this exclusive club.