World No. 1 Iga Swiatek called Rafael Nadal an inspiration but noted that she wasn’t analyzing every Nadal’s move and trying to add that to her game and style. Nadal has been a strong force on the ATP Tour for nearly two decades, while Swiatek is now the face of the women’s game and someone who could finish as an all-time great.
Swiatek is having an outstanding 2022 season and numerous times she has spoken about her love and admiration for Nadal. At the French Open, Swiatek was asked if she was taking some things from Nadal’s playbook while growing up, such as never throwing a racket.
“Well, I was throwing my racket when I was a kid. Unfortunately Rafa didn’t have as big influence, yeah, I can stop that. But I stopped when I was like 15, when I could actually reflect more and not play just with my emotions, you know,” Swiatek explained.
“Well, for sure, Rafa, he’s a huge inspiration, but it’s not like I was writing in a notebook exactly how he’s playing and then trying to do the same, because, well, first of all, he’s a man. It’s pretty hard for us girls to play like men, because they have more power, for sure.
But, you know, I always wanted to play topspin, so I think he influenced me in that way.”
Iga Swiatek in response to the latest Nadal-related question asked of her:
“He’s a man. It’s pretty hard for us girls to play like men, because they have more power, for sure.
But, you know, I always wanted to play topspin, so I think he influenced me in that way.” pic.twitter.com/tGiXvUSmpp — Musab (@Musab_Abid) May 26, 2022
Swiatek clinches her 30th consecutive win
On Thursday, Swiatek cruised past Alison Riske 6-0 6-2 to progress into the French Open third round.
Swiatek wasted no time on the court as she won the first nine games of the match. Riske finally got on the board in the fourth game of the second set, when she served out the game to reduce the deficit to 1-3. Riske held on to her service games in the fourth and sixth games but Swiatek earned her fifth break of the match in the eighth game, when the American was serving to stay in the match. Swiatek plays Danka Kovinic next as she remains the absolute favorite for the French Open title.
