“She Didn’t Give Me Any Birthday Gifts”: Iga Swiatek Jokes with Kaja Juvan After 1R Victory at French Open 2021

Published 05/31/2021, 8:11 AM EDT

This year’s defending champion, Iga Swiatek, got off to a great start at the French Open 2021. The Polish player crushed Kaja Juvan in straight sets in the first round of the tournament. Interestingly, she even managed to bagel her opponent in the very first set. The final scoreline of the match was 6-0, 7-5.

With her first-set bagel at the French Open 2021, Swiatek managed to achieve three consecutive bagels on tour. In her last match, she accomplished a double-set bagel over Karolina Pliskova in the finals of the Italian Open 2021. Today, it was a really pleasant victory for the Polish player and her happiness doubled up as it is her birthday as well.

Birthday c̶a̶k̶e̶ bagel 🥯@iga_swiatek isn't wasting any time today. The reigning champ takes the opening set 6-0 over Juvan. pic.twitter.com/aYmg0n7YHK
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 31, 2021

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In the post-match interview, Swiatek revealed that she is a great friend of Juvan. However, she stated that while playing a match on the court, even a friend turns into an opponent as a player only focuses on winning the match.

“On court, we basically have no friends because we are opponents…Sometimes it’s hard to switch these two modes,” said Swiatek in the interview.

Swiatek on playing a good friend:
'On court we basically have no friends because we are opponents…Sometimes it's hard to switch these two modes but I feel I am better & better at it because I played Kaja at the beginning of the season…She didn't give me any birthday gifts.' pic.twitter.com/ItXiCuBgZo
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) May 31, 2021

Both Swiatek and Juvan are 20-years-old now and get along quite well. They even chatted for a long time after their match got over. Surprisingly, she even wrote ‘Feeling Old #20’ on the camera lens after the interview.

“I feel I am better” – Iga Swiatek

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Even though Swiatek appreciated Juvan for giving her a tough fight in the second set, she believes she was the better player in the match. She also sarcastically said that Juvan didn’t give her any birthday presents.

“I feel I am better & better at it because I played Kaja at the beginning of the season…She didn’t give me any birthday gifts,” added the Polish player.

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After this, Swiatek will advance to the second round of the French Open 2021. She is right now on an eight-match winning streak at Roland Garros and has won all her last 16 sets that she has played at the tournament. Will Swiatek be able to carry forward her momentum and defend her title in Paris this year?

“Casually Showing His Quads”: Iga Swiatek Reveals Spending Time With Rafael Nadal Before Italian Open Finals

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Anshul Singh is a tennis author at EssentiallySports, currently pursuing Journalism Honors from Delhi University. Having significant experience with content, Anshul has authored over 500 tennis articles. He has previously worked as a writer and an editor for DU Express, penning riveting articles on sports, politics, and culture.

“She Didn’t Give Me Any Birthday Gifts”: Iga Swiatek Jokes with Kaja Juvan After 1R Victory at French Open 2021

“I feel I am better” – Iga Swiatek

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