Iga Swiatek of Poland. Courtesy: Reuters
World No.1 Iga Swiatek was left stunned during the post-match press conference after she won the women’s singles of the French Open 2022 at Roland Garros. On Saturday, June 4, the 20-year-old defeated USA’s Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-3 at Court Phillippe-Chatrier.

The Polish star also equalled the legendary Venus Williams’ record of 35 victories in a row. It was also the joint-longest streak by a woman’s tennis player in the 21st century.

For the moment, Swiatek and Venus jointly hold the longest winning streak in women's tennis this century.

On the men's side, Roger Federer won 42 in 2006, while Novak Djokovic won 43 in 2011.

If Swiatek can keep up her irresistible form, there's no knowing how long she can keep her unbeaten run alive.

Speaking in her post-match press conference, the 21-year-old said it felt special to surpass the great Serena.

“I think honestly, it may seem pretty weird, but having that 35th win and kind of doing something more than Serena did, it’s something special," she said.

“Because I always wanted to have some kind of a record. In tennis it’s pretty hard after Serena’s career.

“So that really hit me, you know. Obviously winning a grand slam too, but this one was pretty special because I felt like I’ve done something that nobody has ever done, and maybe it’s gonna be even more.”

Iga Swiatek joins tennis greats with winning streak

Swiatek is just the eighth woman in the Open era to win at least 35 matches in a row, joining Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Margaret Court, Chris Evert, Martina Hingis, Monica Seles, and Venus Williams.

Navratilova holds the all-time women's record with 74 consecutive victories, followed by Graf (66), Court (57), Evert (55), Hingis (37) and Seles (36).

Since starting her winning streak in February, Swiatek has won six tournaments in succession and taken her overall record in 2022 to 42-3.

She is 9-0 in her last nine finals.

The Pole has emerged as the overwhelming force in women's tennis, and it's hard to see anyone getting to her level anytime soon.

Serena has won 23 grand slams but hasn't played in nearly 12 months, while three-time grand slam champion Ash Barty announced her shock retirement in April at age 25.

Naomi Osaka has four grand slams to her name but has struggled with form and inconsistency over the last 12 months.

Swiatek is the only Polish player in tennis history to win a grand slam and now has two to her name after her maiden triumph at Roland Garros in 2020.

She is also just only the 10th woman in the Open era to win multiple French Open titles, losing just one set the whole tournament - against China's Zheng Qinwen in the fourth round.

"Two years ago, winning this title was something amazing. Honestly, I wouldn't expect it, ever," Swiatek said.

"But this time, I feel like I worked hard and did everything to get here, even though it was pretty tough. The pressure was big."

After she attended the presser with a broad smile on her face, a journalist questioned her about whether she went to a party after applying ‘make-up’.

"Outside of the court, when you go to a party, do you use make-up? Do you like to go elegant and smart and so on?” the journalist asked.

"Because many players we have seen in the past, they were staying hours in front of the mirror before going on court and using the make-up and you seem very natural like this," the journalist added.

“It was evident that Swiatek was left befuddled by the question. However, she held her composure and replied, "OK. Thank you."

Swiatek went into the French Open as the firm favourite. After starting the clay court tournament, the woman prodigy looked in ominous touch as she lost only one set on her way to glory. Apart from the French Open, Swiatek has won the Italian Open, Stuttgart Open, Miami Open, Indian Wells Masters and Qatar Open in 2022.

After Australia’s Ash Barty retired from professional tennis back in March at the age of 25, Swiatek was crowned as the new World No.1.