"Honestly I miss Rafael Nadal" - Emotional Iga Swiatek hyped up to use every lesson she has learnt from her idol to end 2025 on a high at WTA Finals

Iga Swiatek enjoyed yet another successful season, with a first-ever title at Wimbledon being the highlight of her year so far. She's currently in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the WTA Finals 2025, which runs from November 1-8. She is presently busy with her media commitments ahead of the tournament.

Swiatek talked about a variety of topics during her press conference, including her idol Rafael Nadal, who retired in 2024. She spoke about what she learnt from him, and how she's going to use them to succeed at the WTA Finals.

Swiatek stated she has tried to emulate Nadal in terms of his outlook and his training regimen. As much as she would've liked to play like him, mirroring his exact style was going to be tall order given their biological differences.

"I think the mentality and attitude to training were the things that I could really take from him because obviously he's a man and he's always going to have, like, different game style. We can't copy. Also you need to be really raised tennis-wise in a proper way to play really the same game style and everything. Obviously the tennis is different," Swiatek said.

Another facet of Nadal that Swiatek tries to ape is his never-say-die attitude. Whenever she finds herself in a pickle, thinking about Nadal's mental strength gives her more belief.

"What I took from Rafa is, yeah, the way he never gave up. I could actually see it on some matches. I have some, like, flashes in my head where I'm, Well, there's no chance I'm going to win this match, there's no chance I can improve and change the momentum. I actually saw him doing that sometimes. It gives me belief in myself a little bit more," Swiatek said.

Swiatek really misses Nadal, and was glad to compete for a few years during the same time as him. She also credited him as her chief inspiration.

"Honestly I really miss Rafa. I've been watching some video randomly. I'm like I wish I could see this live again. Glad I just had a chance to play tennis maybe at the same time as him, so I could experience it and find some inspiration. For sure he inspired me the most from all the people in the world, yeah," Swiatek added.

Swiatek and Nadal's careers intertwined on a few occasions, when they both won the same tournament. These triumphs all came on clay as well, and at some of the biggest tournaments to boot.

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Iga Swiatek and Rafael Nadal won the same edition of the French Open on two occasions

Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek at the US Open 2022. (Photo: Getty)

Rafael Nadal captured his 20th Major title at the French Open 2020. The same tournament marked the breakthrough of Iga Swiatek, who captured her maiden Major title. Two years later, both of them triumphed in Paris yet again. The Italian Open 2021 was the only other tournament they won simultaneously.

With Nadal being the King of Clay, Swiatek has followed in her idol's footsteps. She has been the leading player on clay since her debut, especially at the French Open.

Swiatek has won four titles from her seven appearances at the French Open. She has an impressive 100-15 career record on clay, emulating her idol with her dominance on the surface.