“She is becoming the women’s version of Rafael Nadal,” Todd Woodbridge hails Iga Swiatek champions characteristics on clay surface

Iga Swiatek is in the best form of the season heading to the French Open. The Polish star has only one loss in her last three clay tournaments. And that has prompted Australian legend Todd Woodbridge to admit that Swiatek is becoming the women’s version of Rafael Nadal on clay.

Nadal, who won 14 French Open titles, is regarded as ‘King of Clay’. Out of the 92 tour-level career titles, the Spanish star won 63 of them on the clay surface. In Madrid, last month, he earned his 480th clay win, the highest by any player since the Open Era. However, Swiatek might be a very long distance from his achievements, but at 22, looks to be tolling on the same line.

Swiatek has three French Open titles, winning two consecutive times. This season, she has lost once on a clay surface, winning the Madrid Open and Rome Masters by beating Aryna Sabalenka on both occasions in the final. She’s hoping to do the clay treble (Madrid-Rome-French Open) at the Roland Garros, which will make her the first woman since Serena Williams in 2013 to achieve the feat.

Because of this impressive form of her’s, doubles legend Todd Woodbridge compared Swiatek to Rafael Nadal on clay.

That is a little of what Iga is bringing to this modern game. I think she has that switched-on look from the first point when she’s confident, and when she gets ahead, she very rarely lets a lead get away from her. They’re champion characteristics, and she has them. Sometimes a player comes along and there is a court and a surface that they own, like Rafa at Roland Garros. Iga is becoming the women’s version of Rafa on a clay court.

Todd Woodbridge said to the official Australian Open website

Swiatek is the clear favorite to clinch her fifth Grand Slam at the French Open. The Polish star arrived in Paris yesterday and will be eager to play her best when the tournament fully kicks off on May 26.

Iga Swiatek reveals why she treats her tournament outfit seriously

On recently released Iga Swiatek’s new kit for the Roland Garros. The new outfit featured an ombre white, red, and purple design. It will be her first outfit design for the clay event this season.

In a recent interview, she revealed she treats her kits very seriously, as it is her second skin on the court.

I’m kind of strict regarding the cut of my tops or skirts because it all matters when I move on the court, especially in movements like slides or serving, so I have my preferences. I can’t wait to wear my Roland Garros outfit on the court.

Iga Swiatek said via Forbes

Meanwhile, last year, she beat Karolina Muchova to defend her French Open title and will be hoping to do the same this year.

In case you missed it:

• WATCH: Aryna Sabalenka dances with her team before Roland Garros as she keeps up with the tradition she started at the Australian Open
• WATCH: Iga Swiatek kick starts her Roland Garros preparation against FRIENDS starer Courteney Cox aka ‘Monica’ in a brand new kit

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