It’s no secret that Iga Swiatek is a big fan of Rafael Nadal, winner of 22 Grand Slams. The number one tennis player in the WTA world spoke of the Mallorcan again during her press conference after her clear victory 6-1, 6-1 over Leylah Fernández at the premiere of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
“I would say that the player who inspires me the most on tour is Rafa Nadal, because he never gives up and manages to win matches even though everyone thinks he’s going to lose them. He is always evolving,” Swiatek said. “Even though he is the best in the world, he is always changing something and trying to improve.
“Not just Nadal. Every day I would say my team. They are the people who are a great example for me. They are specialists in their work. They are the people who push me to do more and motivate me.” On how he started playing tennis “Honestly, when I was very, very young, it’s not like I watched a tennis match and it happened.
Rather my father taught me to play tennis and my sister also played. I would say that it was more the people who inspired me. My father was without a doubt the person who wanted me to play and practice sports. Tennis was the sport in which I felt most comfortable.
Year after year it became a passion and then it worked.” Iga Swiatek also spoke of her rivals: “Honestly, everyone has different goals. In my case, for example, I don’t pay attention to what the other players are doing. I know that there are many players who are capable of winning tournaments, of getting more and more points.
Of course, Aryna is in a good position after the Australian Open.”
Rafael Nadal is a true legend
Rafael Nadal is “destined” to break every record in tennis history, believes compatriot Feliciano Lopez. “Rafa is one in a million.
He is a gifted person who was destined to break all the records that have been and will be in the world of tennis. When you have a generation led by Rafa it is super easy to call it the best generation,” Lopez said. “The change comes when Carlos [Moyá] makes the final at the Australian Open,” Lopez explained.
“Spanish tennis players are beginning to believe that they can play well on surfaces other than clay. Nadal has put the culmination of this change of mentality. The success of our generation has been to play on all courts and not be afraid to beat anyone.”
