“The mutual respect that they have for each other transformed Iga Swiatek,” Andy Roddick credits the Pole’s rise to her friendship with Rafael Nadal

“The mutual respect that they have for each other transformed Iga Swiatek,” Andy Roddick credits the Pole’s rise to her friendship with Rafael Nadal

Iga Swiatek, Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick

Iga Swiatek is currently one of the most dominant players on the Tour. The world no. 1 seems to have filled the shoes of former world no. 1 Ash Barty in a way nobody would have expected to have after the Australian surprised everyone with her sudden retirement a few weeks after clinching the 2022 Australian Open.

Not only that, the Pole has had the best year so far. Ever since she won the 2020 French Open, doubts were looming over whether the Pole can be successful on the Tour as well, and with her difficulties in the 2021 season, there were many doubts about whether she can be a worthy successor to the retired Australian. But given her form this season, she is looking like a title favorite to win the upcoming Roland Garros.

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Andy Roddick talks about Iga Swiatek and Rafael Nadal’s friendship

Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek
Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek

Iga Swiatek is not competing in the Madrid Open so that she can prepare for the Roland Garros which is coming up in a month. Having injured her shoulder during the Sunshine Double and a title defense coming up in Rome next week, Iga decided to skip the tournament in Madrid to recover and be ready for Rome and Paris.

In response to that Andy Roddick has given his opinion on the Tennis Channel. The former American player said that her consistent results on the tour have made Roland Garros title her priority. He said, “When you have won it as much as she has and has made it habitual, your health going into Roland Garros is priority one. She is not going to forget how to go after the ball, taking a week off from Madrid.”

He further goes on to talk about the mutual respect that Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek have for each other as the Pole is currently training in the Nadal Academy. As quoted by Roddick, “I kinda love the general fascination that Iga Swiatek has with Rafael Nadal. Try having a better idol to go about with your day to day business than Rafael Nadal. The mutual respect that they have for each other has transformed Swiatek.”

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