The four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek is one on countless players mourning Rafael Nadal’s upcoming retirement.
Rafael Nadal’s dominance on clay courts remains unparalleled, with a record 14 French Open titles to his name.
Astoundingly, the Spaniard has only ever lost four matches at Roland Garros, a testament to his reign over the red dirt.
This year, Iga Swiatek captured her third consecutive French Open title, boasting a similarly dominant 35-2 lifetime record in Paris.
Swiatek has often credited Nadal as an inspiration, acknowledging his influence on her own clay-court game.
Iga Swiatek shares touching story about Rafael Nadal
Currently competing at the Billie Jean King Cup with Poland, where her team has reached the semi-finals, Swiatek revealed that although she won’t attend his Nadal’s farewell match, she has already sent him a message of gratitude and support.
A long-term influence, the Pole recalled the pair’s meeting after Nadal suffered a painful defeat to Novak Djokovic in the 2021 semi-finals of there French Open.
Reflecting on how the 38-year-old’s attitude during that conversation had such a profound impact on her, she shared a touching story.
“I think the most important ones for me are when I actually interacted with him or met him,” Swiatek said when asked about her memories of the great champion.
“I remember we practiced at Roland Garros once, that was actually a gift for my birthday, we hit for 15 minutes and I realised he is really down to earth and humble. That was the first time I talked to him, so it was special.”
Recalling a moment that has helped shape her own career, she recalled: “Then I remember in 2021 he lost semi-finals to Novak and I saw him because we were staying at the same hotel. I saw him somewhere in the hotel and I even told him I cried when he lost.
“He was so calm and he said that is just tennis and life goes on. Then there are going to be different goals in the future. I was like wow, this person really knows how to deal with losing, even at your favourite tournament.
“I realised that off the court you also need to learn how to deal with stuff to be a better player on court,” the Pole concluded.
Swiatek’s reflections highlight the legacy Nadal has left on the next generation of tennis stars. His French Open record looks unlikely to ever fall.
Iga Swiatek wants to make it four in a row at Roland Garros
Swiatek has her sights set on an incredible fourth consecutive French Open title in 2025.
By winning her third straight title in Paris this year, she joined Monica Seles and Justine Henin in achieving such a feat.
The world number two’s clay-court prowess was on full display earlier in the season, as she dominated the Madrid and Rome Opens, becoming only the second woman after Serena Williams to clinch the clay-court treble of Roland Garros, Madrid, and Rome in a single year.
Under the guidance of her new coach Wim Fissette, Swiatek is aiming to further elevate her game and secure more titles.
While her form dipped slightly towards the end of the year, losing the number one ranking, she has rebounded impressively at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
Now facing Italy, a rematch with Jasmine Paolini – the opponent she defeated in the French Open final – could determine Poland’s chances of reaching the final.
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