Naomi’s resurgence, Iga on grass: Four WTA storylines after the Paris fortnight

The closing act of Roland Garros revealed a familiar sight: Iga Swiatek lifting the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen. But even the 23-year-old’s fourth title run in Paris begs a question about the legacy she’s building. Other WTA storylines have also surfaced that have implications both on and off the court.

As one major ends and another nears, here are four questions surrounding the WTA tour:

Is Iga Swiatek Bold Enough for Grass?

Enough data is in to show what it takes to beat Swiatek: Use power and depth to blow her off the court. Whenever that happens, Swiatek can look exceptionally vulnerable, a human dimension complemented by the thoughtful comments she makes following those moments. Speaking at last year’s US Open after being beaten, 6-1 in the third set, by the highly forceful Jelena Ostapenko, Swiatek said, “I mean, tennis is stressful overall, but I should embrace it a little bit more. I'll do it differently next time, so I guess that's positive.”

But don’t let Swiatek’s humble qualities deceive you. For all the fine results generated by Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina over the past three years, Swiatek has been the dominant force in the women’s game. Roland Garros is the perfect fit for Swiatek’s work ethic and capacity for grinding her way through rally after rally, point after point, match after match. Never more than on clay is Swiatek’s affinity with Rafael Nadal more vividly demonstrated.

But what of Wimbledon? Her last three times there, Swiatek has been upset by a highly motivated Elina Svitolina and a pair of wise tacticians, Alize Cornet and Ons Jabeur.

“I feel like every year it's easier for me to adapt to grass,” said Swiatek this past Saturday in Paris. “If I would lose here earlier, maybe I would be able to play two more weeks on grass and then be a better grass player, but if I would choose, I love playing on clay, so I'm not going to give up that ever.”

On grass, the quintessential surface for opportunists, can contemporary tennis’ Queen of Clay play aggressively enough to further consolidate her hold on the throne?

I feel like every year it's easier for me to adapt to grass. Iga Swiatek

Who Will Surprise Next?

At so many majors, the women’s field features a surprise semifinalist.  There were two this year at Roland Garros, 17-year-old newcomer Mirra Andreeva and 28-year-old veteran Jasmine Paolini. Look back over the last three majors and you’ll find qualifier Dayana Yastremska reaching the final four in Melbourne, 17^th-ranked Madison Keys advancing to that stage in New York, and the impassioned Svitolina turning in a career performance at Wimbledon.

As another major nears, what savvy WTA veteran, her hour come near, will make an unexpectedly deep run?

Can Naomi Osaka’s Resurgence Continue?

From the start of Naomi Osaka’s return, my belief was that she’d find peak form by late August, just in time for the US Open. Her effort at Roland Garros was a major step forward.

In reaching match point versus Swiatek, the power, movement, confidence and passion that took Osaka to four Grand Slam singles titles were all on display. Speaking after that match, Osaka said, “I feel like I’m playing better because there were specific things I worked on to get better. I also feel like it’s tough, because obviously the results aren’t resulting right now.

“But I think, like, I’m growing every tournament. I’m just trying to apply myself. I also feel, like, the last time I played Iga, which was obviously in Miami, I got bageled in one set, so I do think that I'm hopefully playing better.”

Might Osaka go further at Wimbledon? Beyond that, let’s see what’s to come for Osaka as the North American hardcourt season unfolds.

What Challenges Does the New WTA CEO Face?

Portia Archer was named new WTA CEO last week and starts the job on July 29. Archer’s career includes time at NBC, HBO, the BBC and, most recently, the NBA’s G League. It’s always intriguing when someone enters the world of pro tennis who’s never previously worked in the sport.

The concern is that Archer will be unfamiliar with all the nuances of tennis’ complicated environment—the politics, the players, the agents, the sponsors, etc. The upside is a fresh perspective.

Archer faces a variety of questions. What are the broader implications of the WTA engaging with Saudi Arabia? How do things stand with China? What about Peng Shuai? How does the tour continue to pursue equal prize money? How does the WTA wish to fit in with the disparate ways the ITF and ATP are seeking to organize the game?