ATP Tour
Swiatek reveals how Nadal inspired ‘crazy boost’ during Mallorca training week
Pole spent time on court with Spaniard at the start of April
April 16, 2026
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Iga Swiatek heaped praise on Rafael Nadal after her win in Stuttgart.
By Sam Jacot
The benefits of Iga Swiatek’s recent training block with Rafael Nadal were on full display on Wednesday in Stuttgart, where the Pole opened her clay-court season with a comfortable straight-sets win against Laura Siegemund.
Swiatek spent time with the former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings Nadal at the Rafa Nadal Academy at the start of April and she had a pretty straightforward way of summing up the experience: exhausting, inspiring and completely worth it.
“With Rafa, obviously it was a privilege and an inspiring time,” said a smiling Swiatek after her win in Germany. “I’m always super motivated before coming on clay, but having him on court was an extra crazy boost of motivation.”
Taking a page out of @RafaelNadal’s book! 📖 @iga_swiatek talks about her time training with Rafa in Mallorca. #PorscheTennis pic.twitter.com/FOP5w3v2wE
— wta (@WTA) April 15, 2026
That extra push didn’t come easy, though, with the 24-year-old spending hours on court in Mallorca to ensure she made the most from the opportunity.
“I honestly don’t think I’ve ever spent so much time on court as I did in Mallorca,” Swiatek added. “It was a week full of grind and hard work.”
Not quite a relaxing trip to the Spanish coast, but exactly the kind of intense preparation the four-time Roland Garros champion thrives on heading into her favourite swing of the season. Still, despite Nadal’s famously fierce reputation, the atmosphere on court wasn’t overly serious.
With Swiatek’s new coach Francisco Roig also involved, the Pole said 22-time major champion Nadal didn’t dominate sessions, instead chiming in here and there.
“The dynamics were kind of unusual,” Swiatek explained. “Francisco was his coach, so I feel like he also let him coach me. Rafa was giving tips from time to time. I’d say pretty chill?”
There may not have been any shouting, but that didn’t mean a lack of intensity.
“He was motivating in a positive way,” Swiatek said. “I’d say chill, but on the other hand strict. Honestly, it’s Rafa. No matter what he’s going to say, you’re going to do it 100 per cent. You know his intensity. Having him on the court, you want to show the same kind of vibe. Just him being there obviously did the job.”
World No. 4 Swiatek has won 10 of her 25 tour-level titles on clay. The 24-year-old will be hoping that her time with Nadal will inspire more success in the coming weeks.
