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Rafael Nadal comments on Iga Swiatek’s absolute dominance in 2022

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Rafael Nadal described Iga Swiatek’s play in 2022 as “unbelievable” and revealed he has exchanged a few test messages with the Polish tennis superstar. Swiatek, who turned 21 last month, is now the face of the women’s game but she is never shying away from speaking about her admiration for Nadal.

Swiatek, who grew up watching and idolizing Nadal, has been the most dominant tennis player this season and many believe she will go down as an all-time great. Swiatek has won her last 37 matches and she has set the new record for the most consecutive wins on the women’s side in the 21st century.

“I texted her a couple of times because it’s unbelievable the way she’s playing. When she’s playing well it’s very difficult to stop her, because her shots are a little bit different. A lot of power and she’s able to move well,” Nadal said of Swiatek, per Gaspar Ribeiro Lanca.

Swiatek didn’t want Nadal to wait

On Tuesday, Swiatek opened play on the Centre Court at Wimbledon.

Since 2021 Wimbledon champion Ashleigh Barty retired, the Wimbledon organizers decided to give Swiatek the honor to open play on the Centre Court. On Tuesday, Swiatek’s match was scheduled first on the Centre Court, while Nadal’s match the second scheduled match.

Swiatek crushed Croatian qualifier Jana Fett 6-0 6-3 in an hour and after the match admitted she didn’t want Nadal to wait. “That’s true,” Swiatek said, when asked if she was motivated to crush Fett so Nadal wouldn’t wait to get out on the court.

“Let’s make it quick. Basically it’s a huge privilege that I was chosen as the one to open [Centre Court]. It wasn’t obvious because obviously Ash would be opening if she was here. There are many great champions in the draw. I’m pretty happy it was a good match from me and a good performance for sure.”

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