The two former French Open champions head to Roland Garros looking to ignite a rivalry that could last for years to come
There will be two defending champions in the women’s draw at the French Open this year. That is not normally how it works; when a player wins a title one year, they return to the scene of their success and try their hardest to hold on to it. Most fail.
Last year, however, as uncertainty swirled during the first waves of the pandemic, the world No 1, Ashleigh Barty, opted not to travel due to safety concerns and because national border closures in Australia meant she was unable to train with her coach. Instead, as the 19-year-old Iga Swiatek demolished the field to win her first grand slam title, Barty spent her days cheering on her Aussie Rules football team, Richmond, with a beer in her hand.
