Iga Swiatek follows Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams as the first player in a decade to go into French Open with back-to-back big titles

Iga Swiatek emulated Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams' achievements with her Italian Open 2024 triumph. The Pole became the first player since 2013 to complete the Madrid and Rome double.

Swiatek has been having the time of her life at the European clay court swing this year having won the Italian Open and the Madrid Open. She had a somewhat disappointing start to her run on clay with a semifinal loss to Elena Rybakina stopping her chance of a possible three-peat.

However, the Pole didn't let this deter her spirit and entered Madrid as the top seed. She defeated the likes of Sorana Cirstea, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Madison Keys, and others to reach the final where she defeated Aryna Sabalenka in an epic three-setter.

The Word No. 1 entered Rome next where she defeated the likes of Angelique Kerber, Madison Keys, Coco Gauff, and others to reach the finals. She faced Sabalenka in the summit clash again but completely decimated the Belarusian 6-2, 6-3 in an hour and 29 minutes and completed the Madrid and Rome double.

In doing so, Swiatek became the first player (male and female) in over a decade to complete the Madrid and Rome double since Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams, who achieved this feat in 2013. The Pole also became only the third woman to achieve this feat after Dinara Safina, who achieved this feat in 2009 during the Madrid Open's inaugural year (women's), and Williams.

Iga Swiatek increases the gap at the top with her Italian Open win

Internazionali BNL D'Italia 2024 - Day Thirteen

With her triumph at the Italian Open, Iga Swiatek has increased the gap at the top of the WTA rankings. The Pole headed into Rome with 10,910 points with a possibility of reaching 11,000 by reaching the semifinals or better.

The 22-year-old is being chased by Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina who are ranked second, third, and fourth respectively. However, Swiatek currently possesses 11,695 after receiving an additional 785 points from her Rome title.

The Belarusian also saw a jump in points of 640 taking her to 8138 points now, whereas Gauff has received 325 points taking her tally to 7638.

Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina has lost all of her 1000 points, being the defending champion and withdrawing from the tournament due to an illness bringing her total to 5673.

Iga Swiatek will head into the 2024 Roland Garros, where she is the two-time defending champion, as the top seed, and will also defend her 2000 points.