‘She’s been Chris Evert-like’- Martina Navratilova Pays the Biggest Compliment She Could Ever Give for Iga Swiatek After Rome Heroics

Iga Świątek has now once again proved why she is ‘Queen of the Clay’ by pulling off the Madrid-Rome clay trophy double this season. In the championship game of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, the Polish tennis star outclassed the number two seed, Aryna Sabalenka, in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. The current number 1 player’s remarkable performances on the clay have now promoted the Hall of Famer Martina Navratilova to issue a bold assertion about the Pole.

While drawing parallels between the young WTA sensation and Chris Evert, the former tennis ace recently heaped praise on Świątek’s topspin drives and movement on the clay courts. The American tennis legend said, “She’s been Chris Evert-like. That topspin drives you nuts, and I think she moves as good as anybody. Clay, she’s got that down to perfection, the sliding and the movement and recovery. Just wears you out from the baseline, playing aggressive.”

As she lauded the current number 1 player for her consistency on the court, the former WTA player also touted her for the upcoming clay Grand Slam event in Paris. She said, “She’s got the consistency and the major wins. That’s why she’s been No.1 for so long. Paris is the perfect venue for her game.” The Hall of Famer’s bold statement about the 22-year-old player is justified, as she has now joined Evert on an elite ‘clay court WTA events’ list.

After her Italian Open triumph, Iga Świątek joins Chris Evert on an elite list

Aside from lifting trophies in Madrid and Rome, the Pole also clinched another singles clay court title in Stuttgart this season. She has now won 7 of the 11 clay court WTA events as the number 1 player on the tour. In doing so, Świątek has joined some of the tennis greats, including Chris Evert and Steffi Graf, on a list of WTA players with the most clay court triumphs as the number 1.

Notably, the official Twiiter page of OptaAce hailed the young ‘Queen of Clay’ for her remarkable achievements on the women’s tour.

What do you think of the Polish tennis star joining some of the tennis greats after pulling off the Madrid-Rome clay trophy double this season? Let us know in the comments section.