Swiatek takes the cake after US Open win

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/ AFP

World number one Iga Swiatek was able to have her cake and eat it at the US Open after the Pole capped her campaign at a star-studded Flushing Meadows by collecting her third Grand Slam title.

Swiatek, who has enjoyed her brushes with New York's celebrity scene during the tournament, beat Tunisian Ons Jabeur 6-2 7-6(5) on Saturday to claim a massive $2.6 million winner's check.

However, tournament organisers had another reward for her, hiding a piece of tiramisu - one of her favourite treats - inside the trophy.

"I really appreciate it. Especially since I didn't have anything to eat," she said.

The two weeks of competition could scarcely have been sweeter for the Pole, who balanced her usual on-court seriousness with off-court fun.

She grabbed a photo with her idol Serena Williams, rubbed shoulders with Olympic gold medallist Lindsey Vonn and swooned at the sight of singer Seal.

"Actually after I met Seal, I was like, 'Even if I'm going to lose right now I already won this tournament, because I got photo with him,'" said Swiatek.

"It's something that it's only going to happen probably in New York - yeah, because it's New York."

Swiatek, who has also won two French Open titles, fit right in with the city's boisterous fans and was greeted on the Flushing Meadows plaza for an ESPN interview with a roaring crowd of her compatriots after becoming the first Polish woman to win the tournament.

"The energy that they give me, it’s surreal," she said.

More from Sports News

  • Vuelta leader Pogacar forced to abandon after stage eight crash

    Tadej Pogacar's bid to complete cycling's Grand Tour hat-trick came to a painful end at the Vuelta a Espana on Saturday when the race leader and five-time Tour de France winner crashed out with blood on his face and an injured shoulder.

  • Munoz's late strike earns Liverpool draw with Forest

    Liverpool's Victor Munoz has struck a late equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, but Andoni Iraola's side were left still searching for their first Premier League win of the season after his first home league game in charge.

  • F1 Champion Norris extends McLaren contract to 2030

    Formula One world champion Lando Norris announced a contract extension with McLaren until at least the end of 2030 on Saturday, and said he would be happy to see out his career with a team that felt like home.

  • Liverpool finalise agreement to sign PSG's Barcola

    Liverpool have finalised an agreement to sign French forward Bradley Barcola from European champions Paris St Germain in a deal worth up to £123 million (AED614 million), with the 23-year-old set to become the latest high-profile addition to Andoni Iraola's squad.

  • Alcaraz says uncertainty over comeback fuelled 'intrusive thoughts'

    Seven-times Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz said "intrusive thoughts" about the timing of his return were the toughest part of a wrist injury layoff that sidelined him for nearly five months ahead of his US Open title defence.

On Virgin Radio today

Hit Music