'Rafael Nadal is the only player who fascinated me when I was younger,' says Swiatek

Competing in her seventh Major tournament, the 19-year-old Pole Iga Swiatek stunned the tennis world and claimed the first WTA title at Roland Garros last October! Iga defeated the Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-4, 6-1 in the title match, wrapping up the tournament without losing a set to become the Major champion at such a young age, the first-ever from Poland. Iga delivered impressive tennis before the final clash, dropping 23 games in six encounters (one of seven most remarkable results in Paris in the Open era) and demolishing world no. 2 and the top favorite Simona Halep 6-1, 6-2 in under 70 minutes! Presenting 32 breaks (!!), Iga grabbed 70% of the return games in the first six encounters, maintaining that level against the American to become the first champion without losing a set in Paris since Justine Henin in 2007.

Iga Swiatek praised humbled and dedicated Rafael Nadal.

Entering the Major title match as the lowest-ranked player since the beginning of the WTA rankings, Iga cracked the top-20 and became the youngest Roland Garros champion since Monica Seles in 1992 and the first teenager to lift the crown in Paris since Iva Majoli in 1997. During the fortnight, Swiatek didn't hide her encouragements towards her favorite player and the Roland Garros legend Rafael Nadal, wishing him to win the title. Like the young Pole, Rafa stormed over the rest of the field and claimed his 13th Roland Garros crown without losing a set to join Iga on the champions' list. Praising the Spaniard, the Pole said that Rafa was the only player she watched while growing up, always liking his game style and respecting him for everything he did on and off the court.

"I didn't watch tennis that much when I was younger. The only player who fascinated me was Rafael Nadal. I guess I copied my style of play from him. I like to hit the balls with a lot of topspin. My first trainer also told me that it was unusual for a girl to play with topspin. He advised me to focus on it as one day it will be a great strength. Since I now know Rafa as a player and as a person, I respect him even more. He's humble and has stayed the same guy he was before winning so many titles. When I was young, I loved the way he looks and the energy he plays with," Iga Swiatek said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2ZO7tYl