By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesay February 25, 2022
After a difficult loss to Danielle Collins in this year’s Australian Open semifinals, Iga Swiatek didn’t need long to find inspiration again, thanks to Rafael Nadal.
Swiatek has always expressed her respect and admiration for Nadal, and was blown away when she got to share a practice court with the King of Clay at Roland-Garros in 2021.
The 21-time major champion took the time to message Swiatek with inspiring words after her defeat in Melbourne, and the ninth-ranked Pole said it meant the world to her.
"Rafael Nadal inspires me a lot," Swiatek said in Sport.pl last month. "He wrote to me after my semifinal, and that was one of the things that kept me from feeling angry after losing the match. The message really gave me wings."
On Monday in Dubai, Swiatek talked to the press about the message from Nadal.
“It surprised me because for sure he has a busy life,” she said of Nadal’s text, expressing wonder at the fact that he made time for her. “He's focused on himself. I don't know how players that are that great live, if they share something. It was pretty amazing to see that he actually can text somebody like me. It shows that he's pretty down to earth, I guess.”
Swiatek said the message has fueled her and made it easier to stay positive on the practice court over the last few weeks.
Swiatek certainly has no reason to feel bad about herself. She has reached the second week in her last six Grand Slam appearances, and made a trip the semifinals at Melbourne for the first time.
“For me it's really inspiring,” She said. “Even though I wasn't really angry and sad after my match with Danielle because I know she played pretty perfect game, I mean, yeah, I just felt really motivated. The day after I lost I wanted to come back on court and work harder. I think Rafa's message had a lot to do with that. “Yeah, he's just great example for all of us. It's pretty cool to have contact with him, yeah.”