Iga Swiatek Makes Hilarious ‘Rafa’s Kids’ Remark While Casper Ruud Explains Why They Have Good Chemistry

Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud lost the US Open mixed doubles final to Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori.

Iga Swiatek Makes Hilarious ‘Rafa’s Kids’ Remark While Casper Ruud Explains Why They Have Good Chemistry

Rafael Nadal, Iga Swiatek, Casper Ruud (Image via X/Olly Tennis, Jimmy48 Photography)

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Iga Swiatek made an amusing remark after the US Open mixed doubles match with Casper Ruud. The Pole and the Norwegian played a Grand Slam mixed doubles for the first time because of the revamped format.

They were the third seeds and reached the final after knocking out the first seeds, Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper. But in the championship clash, the ‘true’ mixed doubles pair, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, prevailed, in three sets, defending their title as well as winning the second mixed doubles Major of the season. At the press conference after their defeat, Ruud talked about his partnership with the six-time Grand Slam champion.

Yeah, if Iga had lost earlier [in Cincinnati], I’m not sure if we would have practised mixed doubles anyway. Maybe we would have hit together. But never say never. Iga and I have both played mixed doubles in United Cup in the past. We have some experience, but not together. I think we had good chemistry. We’re similar people. We’re easygoing. Iga is humble.

But Swiatek interrupted him by making an amusing remark. She smiled and stated that they are ‘Rafa’s Kids’, and Ruud agreed.

I guess that’s what some say. Easy to get along, click, and find some good chemistry.

Both Ruud and Swiatek have idolized Nadal, and the former even trained at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca during his teen years. The 22-time Grand Slam champion called time on his career last year after Spain’s defeat to the Netherlands in the Davis Cup Finals. Swiatek was present during Nadal’s retirement ceremony this year at Roland Garros on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

But Swiatek couldn’t defend her title at the French Open, losing to eventual runner-up Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals. The 10-time clay court titlist failed to win a trophy on the surface this season.

Iga Swiatek posts a message after the US Open mixed doubles

Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud argued during their on-court interview after beating Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti about who texted whom first for the mixed doubles partnership. The conversation didn’t end as they kept arguing even after the tournament. She took to Instagram to sum up how she felt during the tournament.

Iga Swiatek, Casper Ruud
Iga Swiatek, Casper Ruud (Image via X/iga archive)

I had so much fun these last days! Thank you for this @usopen Thank youuu @casperruud for texting me (you’re not winning this one) and for this great adventure. Congratulations @saraerrani87 & @andrevavassori – you were amazing. I hope we didn’t make it easy for you. P.S. Last one is me at 00.47am with the best soundtrack possible.

Check out the post here:

Swiatek and Ruud will next be focusing on the US Open singles, the main draw of which is scheduled to start on August 24th. Ruud is a three-time Grand Slam finalist- one of the finals he played at the 2022 US Open, losing that match to five-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz.

Swiatek clinched the 2022 US Open by beating Ons Jabeur. Last year, her run in New York ended after her straight-set defeat to eventual runner-up Jessica Pegula. Ruud suffered a four-set defeat to eventual runner-up Taylor Fritz in the fourth round.

Before playing the mixed doubles, Swiatek lifted the Cincinnati Masters for the first time in her career. She beat Jasmine Paolini in the final in straight sets. It was her career’s 11th WTA 1000 title.

The Cincinnati title was also the World No.2’s second title of the season after her victory at Wimbledon, which she lifted for the first time (also her first title on grass) by double bageling Amanda Anisimova. Ruud has so far won only the Madrid Open by beating Jack Draper this season. Prior to Madrid, he lost the Dallas Open final to Denis Shapovalov.

Also read: Martina Navratilova Backs Iga Swiatek to Win the 2025 US Open Following Wimbledon Triumph