State award for Polish tennis player Iga Świątek

Rising tennis star Iga Świątek was on Friday awarded the Gold Cross of Merit, a high Polish state decoration, for her achievements in sports and for helping promote the country internationally.

Poland's President Andrzej Duda (left) and tennis player Iga Świątek (right) during the awards ceremony in Warsaw on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020.

Photo: Jakub Szymczuk/KPRP

At a ceremony in Warsaw, President Andrzej Duda praised the 19-year-old, who on October 10 won the women’s singles at the French Open tournament, claiming her maiden Grand Slam title and becoming the first Pole to lift a Grand Slam singles trophy.

"This was a very important moment for Polish sports, a historical event," Duda said during the awards ceremony at his presidential palace on Friday.

"I congratulate you with all my heart and I am very happy," he added, addressing Świątek.

Prezydent odznaczył Złotym Krzyżem Zasługi @iga_swiatek, tegoroczną zwyciężczynię turnieju French Open. #RolandGarros https://t.co/EBXwYLH41j pic.twitter.com/ByuWImQy72

— Kancelaria Prezydenta (@prezydentpl) October 23, 2020

The player's father, Tomasz Świątek, a former Olympic rower, was also handed a high state honor at the presidential palace on Friday.

He walked away with the Officer's Cross of the Polonia Restituta Order for his outstanding contribution to the promotion and development of Polish sports, state news agency PAP reported.

Andrzej Duda (left) and Tomasz Świątek (right) during the ceremony at the presidential palace in Warsaw on Friday. Photo: Jakub Szymczuk/KPRP

(gs/pk)

Source: PAP, prezydent.pl