via Getty
PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 29: Winners of the 2020 French Open seven months ago, Rafael Nadal of Spain and Iga Swiatek of Poland practice together for 20 minutes on Court 5 ahead of the French Open 2021, Grand Slam tennis tournament at Roland-Garros stadium on May 29, 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by John Berry/Getty Images)
via Getty
PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 29: Winners of the 2020 French Open seven months ago, Rafael Nadal of Spain and Iga Swiatek of Poland practice together for 20 minutes on Court 5 ahead of the French Open 2021, Grand Slam tennis tournament at Roland-Garros stadium on May 29, 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by John Berry/Getty Images)
Poland’s no.1 tennis player Iga Swiatek produced her best-ever Australian Open run by reaching the semis, where she was defeated by American Danielle Collins in straight sets. Swiatek couldn’t handle the pace from Collins’ racquet and ended up losing points on both return and service games.
After a thrashing defeat to the American, Swiatek received a message from her idol Rafael Nadal. It’s a known fact that the Polish star idolizes Rafa and even mentioned the same on numerous occasions.
via Getty
PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 29: Winners of the 2020 French Open seven months ago, Rafael Nadal of Spain and Iga Swiatek of Poland practice together for 20 minutes on Court 5 – here with Carlos Moya, coach of Rafael Nadal (center) – ahead of the French Open 2021, Grand Slam tennis tournament at Roland-Garros stadium on May 29, 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by John Berry/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal sent a message to Iga Swiatek after the latter’s semi-final defeat at Australian Open
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In an interview to Polish website Sport.pl, Swiatek said, “Rafa wrote me a message after losing my semifinal against Collins, that was one of the things that kept me from feeling bad after that match. That gesture really gave me wings.”
“Rafa me escribió un mensaje después de perder mi semifinal ante Collins, esa fue una de las cosas que evitó que me sintiera mal después de aquel partido. Ese gesto realmente me dio alas”
🗣️ Iga Swiatek a https://t.co/87UNsnQzkx pic.twitter.com/rkQ6SBKcbr
— ESPN Tenis (@ESPNtenis) February 3, 2022
Even though Swiatek didn’t reveal the exact message Nadal sent her, it can be understood from her comment that they were positive and motivating for the youngster. Iga also stayed in Melbourne to watch Nadal’s final against Daniil Medvedev.
After Nadal bounced back to clinch victory from two sets and a break down, Swiatek posted a tweet about her reaction during the contest.
My face throughout the whole match…
My…forhead muscles will literally be sore for the next two days. 😅 https://t.co/dw8755TVyg— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) January 30, 2022
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Coming to Swiatek’s schedule, she is planning to feature in Dubai Duty Free Championships this month alongside top-notch WTA stars like Aryna Sabalenka, Garbine Muguruza, Paula Badosa, and Maria Sakkari.
Looking at Nadal, he landed home yesterday and will now be in recovery mode. Initially, the Spaniard was supposed to feature in an ATP 500 event at Acapulco. After the gruesome fortnight in Melbourne, there are high doubts over Nadal’s immediate participation in the hard-court event.
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However, the Spaniard expressed his desire to play the Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells. The Californian tournament took place in October last year owing to the pandemic and is back to its normal schedule this season. Being a three time champion, the Spaniard looks to capitalize his momentum and gain ranking points ahead of the European clay-court summer.
