“He managed to turn around some matches that seemed impossible,” Iga Swiatek reveals how Rafael Nadal inspired her to ‘always keep fighting till the end’

World No.1 Iga Swiatek will never stop admiring the King of Clay.

“He managed to turn around some matches that seemed impossible,” Iga Swiatek reveals how Rafael Nadal inspired her to ‘always keep fighting till the end’

Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek (via Imago)

WTA World No. 1 Iga Swiatek reveals how her idol Rafael Nadal motivated her to maximize her abilities. Swiatek began her Roland Garros defense with a convincing win over local favorite Leolia Jeanjean 6-1, 6-2.

Following her victory, the 22-year-old discussed Nadal’s influence on her professional journey during her post-match press conference. Swiatek has claimed that the biggest lesson she learned from the 22-time Grand Slam champion was how to never give up regardless of any situation.

Well, I think already taught me that always fighting till the end and not giving up is the best way to go. It just increases your chances that you might win. There's no point of working hard and giving everything to play well then to give up at the end.
Iga Swiatek said in her post-match press conference

The three-time Roland Garros champion was present in the stands alongside Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz to watch the Spaniard’s first-round match against Alexander Zverev.

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Just like Swiatek’s words, Nadal never threw in the towel till the end. However, he was just outplayed by the three-time tournament semi-finalist in straight sets 6-3, 7-6, 6-3. This was only the fourth occasion in which Rafa had tasted defeat on his favorite court.

He managed to turn around some matches that it seemed impossible to turn around. This really inspired me. But also how he is off the court, and he's really humble and really focused on the work. It seems that success didn't change him. I just like the person he is overall.
Iga Swiatek added

However, Swiatek would need the grit and the mentality her hero has to defend her French Open crown. Her second-round match will also be a nerve-wracking one against former World No.1 Naomi Osaka.

How will Rafael Nadal be remembered as a tennis player?

If tennis fans look at the Big 3 (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic), all have inspired the tennis world in one way or another. However, as the spotlight is on Nadal after potentially his last Roland Garros match, how will he be remembered?

Rafael Nadal Roland Garros
Rafael Nadal potentially bidding farewell to Roland Garros (via Imago)

Well, firstly, like Iga Swiatek just highlighted in her post-match press conference, he will be remembered as one of the greatest fighters in the game. If the tennis fans look at Nadal’s career in general, you will find very few seasons in which he has played the full calendar. There have always been cases in which he has had a problem with his fitness and he has had to take months off to overcome it.

However, having overcome all those injuries, and being able to win 22 Grand Slams and 38 Masters 1000 is a remarkable achievement. After all, when he started his career, many expected him to retire before Federer looking at his fitness concerns.

So, the fact that the tennis world still has him as an active player almost two years after the retirement of the Swiss Maestro is a big deal. The tennis fans should cherish him until he hangs up his racket.

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