Andy Roddick Warns Coco Gauff of Iga Swiatek’s Rafael Nadal Like Dominance Ahead of French Open SF Clash

What could be more satisfying than being compared to your idol? For Iga Swiatek, perhaps nothing comes close. The Polish tennis sensation, dazzling everyone at Roland Garros this season, is on the cusp of her semifinal showdown. Swiatek, who has always idolized tennis legend Rafael Nadal, recently received the ultimate compliment when former tennis star Andy Roddick likened her to the Maestro himself.

Iga Swiatek’s season has been nothing short of inspirational. She has dominated the French Open, winning all her matches in straight sets, except for a tough second-round clash against Naomi Osaka where she triumphed in three sets. Her exceptional performance has garnered immense praise from the tennis community, including Andy Roddick, who compared the Polish sensation to Rafael Nadal.

During the latest episode of Served with Andy Roddick, the American former tennis player praised Swiatek’s current streak and regarded her as the favorite before her upcoming clash against Coco Gauff in the semifinals. Roddick went on to compare her present performance to Nadal’s masterclass season of 2008.

The year 2008 is considered one of Nadal’s best: he won eight titles, including two majors and the Olympic gold medal in singles. In addition, Nadal claimed three Masters titles—Monte-Carlo, Hamburg, and Toronto. He won the French Open without dropping a set, in one of the most comprehensive major performances of all time. He defeated his arch-rival Roger Federer in the finals 6-1,6-3,6-0. Nadal also won his first Wimbledon title, defeating rival and five-time defending champion Federer.

Swiatek has mirrored this dominance, clinching titles at both the Madrid Open and the Italian Open. Echoing the same, 2003 US Open champion commended her performance, saying, “Iga Swiatek has just dominated. I mean, she’s just not losing games. It reminds me of Rafa in 2008.” Roddick reminisced about Nadal’s performance, drawing parallels to Swiatek’s current form. “He was barely losing games to win the tournament. It felt like we were betting on whether guys were going to get three games in a set against him. That’s what it feels like with Iga so far.”

Emphasizing her status as the favorite against Coco Gauff, he added, “As dominant as a favorite as she was coming in.” The term ‘favorite’ also serves as a warning to the 20-year-old Gauff, who has lost 10 of her 11 matches against the world number one. While Coco Gauff stands just two wins away from glory, Iga, a red-clay dominator’s staggering 17-match win streak on the surface, looms large. Her Parisian record is equally impressive, boasting a win-loss ratio of 33-2. Can Gauff defy the odds and break through Swiatek’s seemingly impenetrable wall?

Surprisingly, this is not the first time Roddick has made such a comparison. He previously praised Swiatek’s footwork, likening it to Nadal’s. “Iga has this ‘Rafian’ ability to slide, hit, and then, in one motion, be a foot back towards the middle,” Roddick said on the Tennis Channel. While this comparison must have boosted Swiatek’s confidence, she has often looked up to Nadal as her inspiration, making Roddick’s praise even more meaningful.

How Rafael Nadal’s ‘never-say-die’ attitude increased Iga’s winning chances

Reigning French Open champion Iga Swiatek has never been shy about expressing her admiration for Rafael Nadal. The young Polish star recently highlighted how Nadal’s never-say-die attitude has been a significant source of inspiration in her career. Following Nadal’s unexpected first-round exit this season, Swiatek openly praised his resilience and determination. 

“He [Nadal] taught me that always fighting till the end and not giving up is the best way to go,” Swiatek remarked. “It just increases your chances that you might win.” She emphasized how Nadal’s ability to turn seemingly lost matches into victories has profoundly impacted her approach to the game. “He managed to turn around some matches that it seemed impossible to turn around. That really inspired me,” she added.

As the French Open progresses, all eyes are on Iga Swiatek to see if she can secure her fourth Roland Garros title. Her journey so far has been impressive, demonstrating the same resilience and tenacity she admires in Nadal. However, she faces stiff competition, with rising stars like Coco Gauff also vying for the championship.