Iga Swiatek has sent a powerful message to Ukraine after beating Coco Gauff to win the French Open title on Saturday.
The World No.1 extended her winning streak to 35 matches after beating the American teenager 6-1 6-3 to claim her second French Open title.
Swiatek is the only Polish player ever to win a grand slam, and the tears flowed in the post-match ceremony when her national anthem played.
“I just told Coco, ‘Don’t cry,'” Swiatek said, “and what am I doing right now?!”
She interrupted herself a few times during her victory speech, at one point admonishing herself.
“Oh, my God. It seems like I still need some experience,” she said to laughter from the crowd.
But she also gathered her thoughts well enough to offer support and wishes of hope for Ukraine.
“Stay strong, because the world is still there,” Swiatek told Ukrainians, whose blue-and-yellow flag is represented by a ribbon she has been wearing on her white cap during matches.
