“He is an inspiration,” Iga Swiatek gives her take on Rafael Nadal’s much awaited comeback in 2024

Iga Swiatek recently directed her comments to express her elation towards Spaniard Rafael Nadal's much-awaited 2024 comeback.

“He is an inspiration,” Iga Swiatek gives her take on Rafael Nadal’s much awaited comeback in 2024

Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek (Credits: Imago)

Iga Swiatek dedicated a few words to Rafael Nadal, who is expected to make a much-anticipated return in the 2024 season. The Spanish tennis star has been sidelined from the ATP Tour ever since he sustained a reoccurring hip injury during his Australian Open campaign this year.

However, after going through corrective surgery and an extended period of rehabilitation, the former World No. 1 announced his return to the sport. Nadal is speculated to make his comeback at the 2024 Brisbane International, a warm-up event for the season’s first Grand Slam, the Australian Open.

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Swiatek is currently performing at the World Tennis League, an exhibition event being held in Abu Dhabi, where she directed her comments toward Nadal’s comeback. 

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In a post-match conversation with the Pole, an interviewer asked her to divulge her thoughts on Rafael Nadal’s return. In her response, Iga Swiatek expressed her excitement, acknowledging his much-awaited return and claiming the Spaniard would serve as her inspiration.

From a fan perspective, I'm really happy that he is coming back and I'm going to be able to see his game. Rafa obviously is a huge inspiration for me, so I just hope he's going to play nicely.
Swiatek said at the 2023 World Tennis League.

At the World Tennis League, the 22-year-old lost her singles opening round to Elina Rybakina after the Kazakhstani prevailed in a tiebreaker deciding rubber to anchor her victory over Team Falcons.

Related: Tennis dominates the Forbes highest-paid female athletes list as Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Emma Raducanu, and Aryna Sabalenka bag top spots

Iga Swiatek finishes as the year-end World No. 1 and crowned Player of the Year

Iga Swiatek wrapped up her 2023 season after achieving the feat of finishing as the year-end World No. 1 and, most recently, added another laurel to her list of achievements by being crowned Player of the Year for a second consecutive year.

Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek (Image via: WTA Tours)

The Pole lifted one Grand Slam singles title at the 2023 French Open, the WTA Finals, and four other trophies this season to achieve her recent triumph.

Swiatek beat out the likes of Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, and Jessica Pegula to bag the crown. Both Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff won major titles this season, with the former taking the title at the Australian Open and the latter claiming victory at the US Open.

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