Iga Swiatek has been on the down low after stepping away from the grind of the WTA tour. Citing personal reasons and exhaustion for pulling out of the Korean Open and China Open, the Polish star will not be making an appearance for the rest of the Asian swing. She recently split from her coach, Tomasz Wiktorowski, as well after working with him since 2021, and is on the lookout for a new coach. It’s been a turbulent few weeks for the World No. 1. However, amid all the chaos, as the world received news of Rafael Nadal‘s retirement, she resurfaced to shed light on her idol’s career. “I think this is going to be a really special day for every tennis fan.”

On October 10, the king of clay announced that he would be hanging up his racquet at the end of the season. In a tear-jerking video message, he spoke about the trouble he’s faced over the last two years. And, Swiatek has a message she’d like to give to Rafa. With emotions running high, Iga recorded a video for Nadal, “I wanted just to speak about my appreciation and what your career meant to me because you were and still are the biggest inspiration that I ever had in tennis.”

At just 23 years of age, Iga Swiatek has already snagged four Grand Slam titles, an impressive feat that mirrors Nadal’s own accomplishments at the same age. The Pole revealed how Nadal has fueled her fire. “The reason why sometimes I got extra motivated, I kept pushing myself,” she shared passionately.

Both players shine brightest on clay courts. While Nadal reigned supreme as the “King of Clay,” fans dubbed Swiatek the ‘Queen of Clay’ because of her prowess on clay as well, particularly at the French Open, where she has claimed victory four times (2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024).

But it wasn’t just incredible skill that set Nadal apart, it’s his kind heart as well. Swiatek noted, “Thank you for being such an amazing person off the court as well because your humility is something that is not so often.” In a sport where egos can run rampant, Nadal is truly a diamond in the rough. As Iga added, “When you see other athletes succeeding, you’re the one that always stayed honest to himself and true to himself.”

As she wrapped up her emotional tribute, Iga wished Nadal all the best for his future endeavors. “I hope you can enjoy the other part of your life and hopefully maybe some other career, because the sky is the limit for you now,” she said with genuine warmth. The Pole further remarked, “And I hope you’re really gonna spend a lot of time now with all of our close ones and your family.”

Rafael Nadal leaves behind an indelible mark in the sport—not just as a player, but as a beacon of inspiration. And thanks to passionate fans like Iga Swiatek and comrades who have shared the court with him, his legacy will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of many.

The tennis world gives its well-wishes to the legend

As news of Rafael Nadal’s impending retirement sent ripples through the tennis community, it struck his longtime rivals, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, particularly hard. Both took to social media to pay heartfelt tributes to Nadal, praising his “tenacity, dedication, and fighting spirit.”

Federer expressed his sentiments in the comments of Nadal’s Instagram post, writing, “What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come. Thank you for the unforgettable memories and all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It’s been an absolute honor!” He later shared a series of nostalgic photos chronicling their rivalry, from their first encounter in 2004 to their iconic matches at Wimbledon.

Novak Djokovic, currently at the Shanghai Masters, shared a touching post on Instagram as well, about Nadal’s profound impact on his career. He described their rivalry as “the one that has impacted me the most as a player,” showcasing the deep respect among tennis’ Big Three. With Federer retired in 2022 and Nadal announcing his farewell at the end of this season, Djokovic is now the only active member of the Big 3, marking a significant transition in the sport’s history.

As fans and players come to terms with this moment, Nadal’s influence will resonate long after he plays his final match at the Davis Cup 2024 in Malaga. The anticipation surrounding this event underscores the legacy he leaves behind in tennis.