Iga Swiatek has made remarks about her admiration for Rafael Nadal on multiple occasions in the past. She recently revealed that she looks up to the Spaniard for his actions rather than trying to emulate his style of play.
Nadal has played in three straight tournaments, indicating that his clay court season is going well. He most recently participated in the Italian Open. Swiatek is having a great run of form. She defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the final on May 4 to win the 2024 Madrid Open.
She defeated Madison Keys in the Italian Open quarterfinal on May 14 and is currently in the semifinals in Rome.
Swiatek was questioned regarding the particular aspects of Nadal’s game that she strives to copy in her own during the post-match press conference. The Pole responded with a few instances, stating that she was not very interested in Nadal’s gameplay.
Swiatek said during the press conference: “Well, it’s not like I’m focusing on that because he’s a guy; he has different powers and different strengths. I’m never going to be able to spin the ball the way he spins it. It’s good to look at his forehand, for example, as an example of how he’s using this spin to make a difference. Also, his backhand is pretty flat. I think we have many similarities in that case.”
The world No. 1 admitted that it was the Spaniard’s behaviour that won her over. She said: “Overall, I’m his fan more because of how he behaves. This is something that I try to look up to more.”
Swiatek in Rome, ranking, and results in 2024
LWWWWLWWWW Now ranked no.1, Iga has an overall 36-4 match record in 2024. Iga is currently playing in Rome where she toppled the world no.77 Bernarda Pera 6-0 6-2, the world no.41 Yulia Putintseva 6-3 6-4, the world no.331 Angelique Kerber 7-5 6-3 and the world no.16 Madison Keys 6-1 6-3.
Iga Swiatek will come up against the world no.3 Coco Gauff in the semifinal. Their actual head to head record is 9-1 for Swiatek.
Iga clinched 4 titles in 2024 in Australia, Doha, Indian Wells and Madrid.
Swiatek won 21 titles in her career: 13 on hard courts and 8 on clay courts. (See the list of her titles)
Rafael Nadal in 2024
Now the world no.305, Nadal played his last match on the 11th of May when he was overcome by world no.9 Hubert Hurkacz 6-1 6-3 in the 2nd round in Rome (draw).
At the moment, during this season the Spaniard has achieved an overall 7-4 record.
Nadal is scheduled to compete next at the French Open (French Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 26th of May.
Iga Swiatek and Rafael Nadal |
| Embed from Getty Images |
