Chapter 36 Roland Garros
ROLAND GARROS
Freeman Defends Roland Garros Title Amidst Kruschenko’s Absence
WTA Insider
PARIS, FRANCE
In a thrilling finale at Roland Garros, Belén Freeman successfully defended her title, defeating Li Na 6–4, 7–6(7–0), claiming her second consecutive French Open championship. Freeman’s victory solidifies her status as a dominant force on clay courts.
The tournament took an unexpected turn when top-seeded Zoya Kruschenko withdrew due to undisclosed medical reasons at the quarterfinals. When we asked her to comment on Freeman’s win, she said, “I’m sure it was easier given my absence.” And then, “You’re welcome.”
Freeman addressed the situation with a touch of humor in her post-match interview. “Well, I guess I’ll just have to defend my title again next year … whether she shows up or not,” she said with a smirk. “And if she ever wants to settle it on the court instead of the tabloids, I’m easy to find.”
Later, when asked what winning back-to-back titles meant to her, her tone shifted.
“I grew up watching the Grand Slams and dreamed about standing on this court,” she said. “But this year, I didn’t just dream about it. I fought for it. And that’s what makes this win even sweeter.”
With a total of 5,540 points, Freeman rises to an impressive career-high ranking, reflecting her consistent performance throughout the clay season.
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Prize Money: €1,200,000
Ranking points earned: 2,000