PARIS, France - When you make history, you feel the love.
Nineteen-year-old Iga Swiatek became the first woman from Poland to win a Grand Slam title in the Open Era at the French Open on Saturday, capping off a history-making fortnight without the loss of a set by beating American Sofia Kenin—and after the match, the tennis world came together to congratulate the teenager on her triumph.
Read the match report: Swiatek seals Kenin, surges to maiden major title in Paris
The most vocal online support came from three-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, both during and after Swiatek's historic championship.
Though the reigning US Open winner missed this year's French Open herself due to injury, she was fully invested over the fortnight in the results of her friend, with whom she's struck up an earnest friendship over the past year.
I hate watching tennis when I’m rooting for someone. Why are my muscles tensing up like I’m about to hit the ball? More importantly, whyyyyyyyy are my palms so sweaty???? pic.twitter.com/0zDbaKrd5o
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) October 10, 2020
AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! 🥳😭❤️❤️❤️
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) October 10, 2020
Iga during @rolandgarros 😭💕 pic.twitter.com/z7u5dI4GUL
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) October 10, 2020
In the immediate aftermath, Poland's first Grand Slam finalist in women's singles, former World No.2 Agnieszka Radwanska, was among the first to offer her compatriot congratulations.
The now-retired Top 10 stalwart, and new mom as of July, was runner-up at Wimbledon to Serena Williams in 2012—the closest a woman from their country had previously come to winning a Grand Slam in the Open Era.
And she wasn't the only legendary Polish athlete to take notice.
What an amazing success, what a great story! Good job @iga_swiatek 🎾👏🤜🤛
— Robert Lewandowski (@lewy_official) October 10, 2020
Later, two-time Grand Slam champion Mary Pierce presented Swiatek with the Coup Suzanne-Lenglen, which she won herself 20 years ago in 2000.
Woowww!! Gratulacjeee🤩🎾 🏆 @iga_swiatek @rolandgarros pic.twitter.com/NShQKXOJtd
— Aga Radwanska (@ARadwanska) October 10, 2020
Félicitations pour ton premier titre du Grand Chelem à @rolandgarros, @iga_swiatek ! Tellement heureuse pour toi.
— Mary Pierce (@_MaryPierce) October 10, 2020
Congratulations Iga! I am honored to be able to present you with your first Grand Slam title at #RG20 🏆👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/VH5WPTyK0y
See more posts from a host of WTA legends and current stars congratulating the game's newest major champion, who will crack the world's Top 20 in the WTA rankings on Monday.
Congratulations @iga_swiatek it’s great to see your joy on the court, great champion! Happy to see Poland’s first GS victory 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 @rolandgarros #RolandGarros @WTA pic.twitter.com/G1JqaSilYu
— Gabriela Sabatini (@sabatinigabyok) October 10, 2020
Congratulations on winning the French Open, @iga_swiatek. It was great fun watching your strong performance 👏🏼🎾 #RolandGarros @TennisChannel @TennisChanneli https://t.co/eAJLhhfX6l
— Ana Ivanovic (@AnaIvanovic) October 10, 2020
@iga_swiatek congratulations for an amazing win and deserved one at that with total domination the whole tournament long- well done Champion!!!#astarisborn though we know it didn’t happen overnight:)!!!
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) October 10, 2020
Congratulations @iga_swiatek What a sterling two weeks of brilliant tennis. Many, many more GS Titles to come. @SofiaKenin hold your head up high; you had a great year! 👏
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) October 10, 2020
Wow!!! @iga_swiatek is such an amazing athlete-so offensive-hits so heavy-complete game already. A joy to watch-makes it look so easy. More Majors ahead!! @WTA 👏🏆
— Tracy Austin (@thetracyaustin) October 10, 2020
Congratulations to @iga_swiatek on an incredible achievement!
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) October 10, 2020
She’s the 2020 #RolandGarros Women’s Singles Champion! https://t.co/l6MOykBpMI
@iga_swiatek ooooh , what an amazing effort ! Loved watching you play and be fearless .💪🏻 Congrats on your first !
— Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) October 10, 2020
Without dropping a set, ending it with a forehand winner. Well done @iga_swiatek
— Pam Shriver (@PHShriver) October 10, 2020
Bravooo!!! Gratulacje @iga_swiatek 🏆👏🏻 @Rolandgarros pic.twitter.com/Oyca6ln31Z
— Sabine Lisicki (@sabinelisicki) October 10, 2020
So impressed with the way @iga_swiatek is handling/playing her 1st Grand Slam final #bravo #mentallystrong
— Kirsten Flipkens (@FlipperKF) October 10, 2020
Great job @iga_swiatek
— victoria azarenka (@vika7) October 10, 2020
What a tournament!!! Champ 🏆
Congrats champ' 😃😃😃🔥👏👏👏 @iga_swiatek #RGchampion #whataweek 😱
— Alize Cornet (@alizecornet) October 10, 2020
Wowzaaaaaaaa amazing
— Daria Gavrilova (@Daria_gav) October 10, 2020
IGA!!!!!🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳 @iga_swiatek so proud of you🥰🙌🏼
— Caty McNally (@CatyMcNally) October 10, 2020
Brawo Iga 🎾💥🎉 First Polish woman @iga_swiatek Wins @rolandgarros 🤩🤩🤩 Amazing!!!
— Aleksandra Wozniak (@alekswozniak87) October 10, 2020
Congrats @iga_swiatek!! @rolandgarros 🏆👏🏽
— Madison Keys (@Madison_Keys) October 10, 2020
Quite remarkable! Well done @Iga_swiatek! 🙌🏽 https://t.co/AJzGV8pU0X
— Anne Keothavong (@annekeothavong) October 10, 2020
I’ve known it since then 😂
— Roberta Vinci (@roberta_vinci) October 10, 2020
Congratulations @iga_swiatek 🏆 @rolandgarros #rg2020 pic.twitter.com/GqVroUnlfK
Massive from @iga_swiatek ⭐️ did not drop a set all tournament!!!! So many congratulations 🏆 Can’t wait to watch more of her over the coming years 🎾 #RolandGarros https://t.co/RCuYKh0IWZ
— Casey Dellacqua OLY (@caseydellacqua) October 10, 2020
— Gaby Dabrowski (@GabyDabrowski) October 10, 2020
And while she's on record as supporting a certain left-handed Spaniard in tomorrow's men's final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, Swiatek also received a special shoutout from the men's World No.1.
Congratulations @iga_swiatek 🎉 #RolandGarros
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) October 10, 2020
