World No. 4 Iga Swiatek has attracted attention from rivals after footage emerged of her training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca with clay‑court legend Rafael Nadal. The sessions come as the former world No. 1 prepares for the European clay swing following changes in her coaching setup, having recently brought in Francisco Roig, a long‑time member of Nadal’s coaching team.
On their podcast The Player’s Box, American players Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys reacted to the development with a mix of humour and respect. Pegula suggested the partnership could be daunting for other competitors, calling the combination “perfect” for Swiatek and joking that it might be “a nightmare for everyone.” Keys added that the training “should be banned,” half in jest but indicating how formidable Swiatek might become with Nadal’s influence on clay.
Swiatek’s decision to train alongside Nadal comes amid a season of ups and downs for the Polish star, who is aiming to return to top form on her favoured surface. Nadal’s guidance, even informally, and Roig’s coaching experience are seen as valuable assets as she prepares for key events in the clay‑court calendar.
Rivals’ reactions underscore the respect Swiatek commands on tour and highlight how training choices create conversation in elite tennis, particularly when iconic figures like Nadal are involved. As the clay season gets underway, all eyes will be on whether the sessions translate into a resurgence in results for Swiatek.
