Iga Swiatek shares what she really admires about Rafael Nadal

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• Rafael Nadal

Iga Swiatek says Rafael Nadal "represents the right values" and that's one of the main reasons why she has always idolized the Spaniard. Swiatek, 22, grew up watching and idolizing Nadal before she became a pro tennis player and a major tennis star.

Swiatek, a four-time Grand Slam champion, is following in the footsteps of Nadal as many believe the Pole will go down as an all-time great one day. ‟When I played my first junior Grand Slam at the age of 15, it became clear that Rafael Nadal is one of my heroes.

He never gives up, he represents the right values and he’s kept his feet on the ground. He’s still the same even though he’s so successful. That’s what I particularly like about him," Swiatek told tennismagazin.de, via Porsche-Tennis.

Just like Nadal, Swiatek is dominant at the French Open

Nadal, 37, has 14 French Open titles in his collection. Swiatek, who turned 22 in May, is already a three-time French Open champion.

After defending her French Open title earlier this year, Swiatek was asked if she could one day reach Nadal's heights at Roland Garros. “Well, I wouldn't say that kind of motivation, it's my style, you know. I'm more of a person who just try to do her best every day and hope for the best.

I just try to compete, you know, keep it cool year by year and just do everything step by step. So, I wasn't really thinking that. But, no, like Rafa, what he did and what he's still doing, it's pretty amazing. I never kind of knew that it's gonna be possible for me.

So, it was totally out of my reach, if I can say that. And, you know, still he played so well so many years, I don't know if it's going to be possible for me," Swiatek said.