IMAGE: Rafael Nadal has not performed since sustaining a hip damage on the Australian Open in January. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Iga Swiatek stated that as an enormous fan of Rafael Nadal, she would love to see the 14-times champion compete on the French Open, however the world primary didn’t want the injury-plagued Spaniard to endure and make himself obtainable for the event.
Nadal has not performed since sustaining a hip damage on the Australian Open in January, and there are doubts concerning the 36-year-old’s participation in Paris after the 22-time main champion pulled out of the continuing Italian Open.
“I’m an enormous Rafa fan. I want he might play. I actually respect the sort of warrior he’s. He’s all the time attempting to push and attempting to get higher and play higher and simply attempting to compete on the highest degree,” Swiatek instructed reporters in Rome on Friday.
“I don’t understand how a lot ache he is residing with. I don’t want to see him struggling rather a lot. I’m biased as a result of I’d love to see him play, however then again I do know if he is going to actually endure, it isn’t going to be so enjoyable to see him like that.”
American Coco Gauff, who completed runner-up to Swiatek at Roland Garros final yr, had stated that Nadal would nonetheless be her high choose for the title if he could make it to Paris.
Swiatek stated she hoped Nadal can be “wholesome and blissful” even when he missed the May 28-June 11 Grand Slam.
“That’s the principle aim it doesn’t matter what occurs with tennis,” the Polish participant added.
Swiatek, who hammered 2021 French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-0, 6-0 on Friday, continues her Rome marketing campaign when she performs Lesia Tsurenko on Sunday.