Iga Swiatek is going through the best phase of her game on the tennis court. On Saturday, the women’s world no. 1 defended her title in Rome. The 20-year-old is going through a hot streak with five tournament wins consecutively. Swiatek grew up watching the Big Three, Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, dominating the tennis world on ATP tours. However, there is no doubt that the Polish tennis player admires Rafael Nadal the most. She has mentioned it on several occasions in the past and recently stated that the Spaniard is the greatest tennis player of all time.
The Big Three have dominated for two decades, winning 61 Grand Slam titles between them. The discussion about who among the big three is the greatest tennis player ever has been active for a long time. However, Iga described during the post-match conversation that Rafael Nadal is the greatest player ahead of Djokovic and Federer.
Swiatek Reveals Rafael Is Her Inspiration
The 20-year-old beat Ons Jabeur by 6-2. 6-2 during a two-set encounter to lift her second Italian Open title in a row. Talking to Prakash Amritraj after the game, Swiatek revealed that Rafa is always a good inspiration, and as many other times in the past, her answer is the same. Further, Iga shared that she watched Nadal play at the Australian Open in the stadium. She was thrilled by the Spaniard’s comeback after losing the first two sets against Daniil Medvedev. The Polish tennis star added, “Daniil was playing such good tennis. But Rafa has some superpower sometimes.”
Swiatek believes that Nadal is not giving up. He is physically and tactically there in the game. Moreover, Iga feels that Rafa is the perfect role model and the greatest player of all time in tennis right now. However, despite his sensational start of the year after winning the Australian Open, Melbourne Summer Set, and the Mexican Open, Rafael Nadal has been troubled with a series of injuries lately.
The Spaniard was sidelined for six weeks after suffering a rib stress fracture at the Indian Wells. He made a comeback at the Madrid Open when his chronic foot injury. The same injury which sidelined him for six months last year resurfaced recently. His injury led to a quarterfinals exit at the Madrid & Italian Open as the Spaniard aims to win his 14th title at the French Open. Rafa has admitted that his doctor would be present in Paris to assist him with his foot, which has troubled the 35-year-old for the most part of his career. However, there is no doubt that he is one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Rafael Nadal has won record 21-Grand Slam titles in men’s singles.