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Italian Open champion Iga Swiatek has hailed Rafael Nadal for his "superhuman" abilities and for never giving up. The Pole also described the Spaniard as the "perfect role model" and the greatest player of all time.
Swiatek, 20, had a near-perfect week in the Italian capital, notching up five straight-sets wins en route to the title to extend her winning streak to 28 matches.
Following her fifth title of the year and fourth in WTA 1000 tournaments, Swiatek said that Nadal has always been her inspiration.
"Rafa has always been my inspiration. Watching him there at the Australian Open this year, I was there at the stadium. After first two sets, where Daniil (Medvedev) played such good tennis. He has some superpowers, just never gives up, physically, tactically, always there on the court. He's the perfect role model. He's the greatest of all time in tennis right now," she told Tennis Channel.
In the Australian Open final earlier this year, Nadal found himself two sets and break points down against Daniil Medvedev. However, the Spaniard produced a comeback for the ages to win a record 21st Grand Slam singles title, showcasing his ability to fight tooth and nail for every point.
Iga Swiatek and Rafael Nadal have lost just 3 times this year
Both Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek have lost just three times this year. Nadal started his campaign with wins at the Melbourne Summer Set, the Australian Open and Acapulco. His perfect 20-0 start to the year was snapped by Taylor Fritz in the Indian Wells final.
After a six-week injury layoff due to a rib fracture, Nadal returned to action in Madrid, where he lost in the quarterfinals to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz. Last week, the 10-time Rome champion endured one of his earliest exits at the Foro Italico, losing to Denis Shapovalov in the third round.
Meanwhile, Swiatek hasn't lost since a second-round exit to Jelena Ostapenko in Dubai. The Pole has racked up titles at four WTA1000 tournaments - Doha, Indian Wells, Miami and Rome in this period. She also triumphed at Stuttgart three weeks ago.
The World No. 1's only other defeats this season came in Adelaide 1 and Australian Open semifinals against Ashleigh Barty and Danielle Collins, respectively.
While Iga Swiatek will now head to Roland Garros as the favorite, there are question marks over Rafael Nadal's prospects.
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