What Robert Lewandowski said he noticed when watching Iga Swiatek beat Coco Gauff in the 2022 French Open final

What Robert Lewandowski said about Iga Swiatek after she won the French Open

Swiatek has become one of the biggest sporting stars in Poland, and remains the only singles player in history from her nation to win a Grand Slam title.

Perhaps one of the few Polish sporting stars who has a bigger global profile than Swiatek is football superstar Robert Lewandowski.

Lewandowski is also a big tennis fan, and was supporting Swiatek intently during her French Open final against Gauff on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

When speaking to Eurosport after Swiatek beat Gauff, 6-1 6-3, Lewandowski claimed this proved she was the best in the world at the time and also spoke about the big differences he has noticed between individual and team sports.

“Iga’s success confirmed she’s the best in the world, she won another Roland Garros,” said Lewandowski. “I’m personally very happy I could watch it live because I don’t get many such chances in my career, in my life. So when I have the opportunity, I take it.

“When Iga wins, it’s something fantastic, a perfect combination. The emotions are there. Maybe they are a little bit… I don’t want to say subdued, but on a different level than when I’m on the field.

“But I was looking at many different things, at how Iga and her opponent, Coco, were moving on their feet, making those little steps, at more technical aspects. But at the end of the day, I was very happy then that she won, that was the main goal today.

“I’m super happy. Another great success today, I’m counting on more in the near future. She is on top of not only women’s tennis but also she’s getting closer to what’s coming to her. New experiences, new things she will have to overcome. She is definitely aware of that.

“We see that not only in the way she is and plays, but also in what kind of person she is. She knows what she’s doing, she walks the path she chose for herself. I hope she can make all her dreams come true and reach her goals because that’s what is most important in an athlete’s career.

“Individual sports are different than team sports: there are pros and cons of both, but seeing Iga on court today, alone, how she has to deal with all the problems and difficulties on her own, find ways to improve, to win a game, a set, the match… I think in team sports we also need that individualism. I know those feelings. I am a striker, I know sometimes I have to do things on my own.

“So I understand what Iga goes through during a match, regardless of whether it’s going great, but especially when she has some troubles. This is what all athletes must do, overcome such situations and show who is better. Today, Iga is the star. So all eyes are on her. She should celebrate this victory and be happy.”

What Iga Swiatek said when she was told Robert Lewandowski was watching her

Swiatek spotted Lewandowski when venturing up to her players’ box after the match, where she appeared shocked at his presence.

This was confirmed in her post-match press conference, where Swiatek admitted that she was glad she didn’t know Lewandowski was there until after the match.

“I didn’t know, and I’m happy about that, because I would get so stressed,” answered Swiatek. “Well, I’m happy that he’s here, honestly. I don’t know if he’s like a huge tennis fan or not. But, yeah, I mean, wow.

“He’s been top athlete in our country for so many years that it still feels, it’s hard to believe that he actually came to watch me. I hope he liked it (smiling). I hope he’s gonna come back. Yeah, I don’t know. Just overwhelmed.”

Swiatek failed to win the French Open for the first time since 2021 this year, after losing to Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, and she will be looking to reclaim the clay court major in 2026.