Reigning French Open champion Iga Swiatek has launched her quest for a historic fourth consecutive Roland Garros title—and fifth overall—with a gritty first-round win over Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova (6-3, 6-3). Despite a rocky 2025 season that saw her slip to World No. 5, Swiatek transforms into an unstoppable force on Parisian clay, where she hasn’t lost since 2020.
As the Pole navigates her title defense, she’s drawing motivation from an iconic figure whose shadow looms large over Court Philippe Chatrier. Who is the legend fueling her resolve?
Iga Swiatek’s Rafael Nadal-inspired resolve
The answer lies in 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal, whose emotional farewell tribute at Roland Garros moved Swiatek deeply. The World No. 5, alongside Carlos Alcaraz, attended a ceremony honoring Nadal’s legacy on Sunday—a moment that reignited her competitive fire.
“Seeing Rafa crying made me emotional too,” Swiatek admitted after her opener. “He’s a huge inspiration. Even when he’s not playing, his presence here motivates me.”
Nadal’s influence extends beyond symbolism. In 2021, after his heartbreaking semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek approached him seeking perspective.
“I was devastated for him, but he was so calm,” she recalled. “He said, ‘It’s just a tennis match. I’ll get more chances.’ That changed how I handle setbacks.”
Rafael Nadal’s resilience—turning heartbreak into fuel—resonates with Swiatek, who has faced her own struggles this year, including a title drought since August 2024.
A rocky road to Roland Garros
Swiatek’s 2025 campaign has been uncharacteristically shaky. Before Paris, she failed to win any of the season’s first five WTA events, a slump she attributes to mental fatigue. Yet, her opening match against Sramkova showcased her clay-court mastery.
Though she tallied 17 unforced errors, Iga Swiatek’s clutch play in critical moments—winning the final three games of each set—highlighted her ability to elevate under pressure, a trait she shares with Nadal.
The Nadal blueprint
Nadal’s legacy isn’t just about titles; it’s about weathering storms with composure. Swiatek has adopted this mindset, embracing challenges rather than fearing them.
“Rafa taught me that losses aren’t the end,” she said.
This philosophy is vital as she prepares to face Emma Raducanu in the second round—a rematch of their 2024 Stuttgart clash, which Swiatek dominated.
With Rafael Nadal’s inspiration and her own relentless drive, Iga Swiatek aims to join him as a Roland Garros immortal. A fifth title would place her second only to Chris Evert (7) among women in the Open Era. While her recent form raises questions, her Paris pedigree silences doubters. As Swiatek put it: “On clay, I trust my game.”
For now, Nadal’s shadow guides her. But with every win, Swiatek steps closer to casting her own.