(VIDEO) Swiatek joins Rafael Nadal Academy graduates in hat toss: "When I graduated it was during Covid"
WTAThursday, 15 June 2023 at 11:30
Iga Swiatek lived up to her promise to appear at the Rafa Nadal Academy graduation with the Roland Garros champion even getting in on the action.
Swiatek took to the podium to share her tennis journey and role that tenacity plays in her success as well as crediting the namesake of the academy who has been a big hero of the Pole.
But also Nadal credited Swiatek for attending and for inspiring the next generation.
"Honestly, for us it's a huge privilege to have you here today. I know that everybody here at the Academy, the students especially, appreciate your efforts, that after winning Roland Garros you are here inspiring all the kids," said Nadal.
But for Swiatek, there was also something missing from her own graduation from school during Covid that she partook in.
That being the typical cap toss with the academy presenting her with the royal blue mortarboard and tassel which she tossed in the air with great joy.
"If I could borrow one of the hats and throw it in the air that would be so cool because when I graduated it was during COVID, so I got only an online graduation," she said.
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Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
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