Iga Swiatek similar to Rafael Nadal in Grand Slam struggles outside of French Open says Andy Roddick: "It's her versus the field at Roland Garros"
WTA
Andy
Roddick compared Iga Swiatek to Rafael Nadal for her dominance on slow surfaces
even when they're not at their best level, especially at the French Open. The
Polish player recently clinched the title at Indian Wells, one of the slowest
hardcourt tournaments.
Swiatek
didn't have the best start to the season, exiting in the early rounds of the
Australian Open, marking another disappointment in a major, considering her
fourth-round exit at the US Open and quarterfinals appearance at Wimbledon,
despite being the world No. 1 in all of them.
Despite her
early setbacks, Swiatek seems to have found her form in 2024. Since her exit
from Melbourne, she holds a record of 13-1, including titles at the Qatar Open
and Indian Wells, placing her at No. 1 in the WTA Race. With the start of the
clay season, Andy Roddick drew comparisons between Swiatek and Rafael Nadal.
The Spanish
player's dominance at Roland Garros is unlikely to be matched by any other
player. Nadal won the title 14 times and only lost to two opponents at that
tournament over 18 participations: twice to Novak Djokovic and once to Robin
Soderling, boasting a record of 112-3 (97%).
On the
other hand, at just 22 years old, Swiatek has already claimed the title three
times in five appearances at Roland Garros, with a record of 28-2 (93%). The
world No. 1 could achieve similar success to Nadal on clay according to
Roddick's assessment:
"She
[Swiatek] can struggle, she's not played great in four out of the last five
Slams... it feels like the Rafa [Nadal] thing where even if she struggles at
Majors, on a slow surface like Indian Wells, on a slow surface like Roland
Garros, she's gonna continue to win. You feel like it’s her versus the field at
worse at Roland Garros," Roddick said.
The female
tennis players with the most French Open titles in the Open Era are Chris Evert
(7), Steffi Graf (6), and Justine Henin (4). The Polish player is tied with
Margaret Court, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, Monica Seles, and Serena Williams with
three Roland Garros trophies each.
Swiatek has
claimed the title in the last two editions, and only Henin has managed to win
the trophy three years in a row so far (2005-2007).
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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