Iga Swiatek is getting a clay-court masterclass from Rafael Nadal. The six-time Grand Slam champion recently practiced at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca.
Nadal stepped onto the dirt to share his wisdom, actively contributing to her training session. The tennis world quickly noticed the iconic practice, and ex-coach of Coco Gauff and former ESPN analyst Brad Gilbert had a few words about the session on social media.
Rafael Nadal Gives Iga Swiatek a Clay-Court Masterclass in Mallorca
Swiatek has always cited the 22-time Grand Slam champion as her ultimate tennis idol. As a comment on the video of Nadal training the Polish star, Gilbert praised the session on X.
“This is priceless for Iga Pop, so cool 😎 to see Vamos Rafa on the practice court,” Gilbert wrote.
Rafa teaching Iga the secret to his iconic buggy whip forehand at the @rnadalacademy 😍#swiatek #nadal pic.twitter.com/FeRlTowwBm
— Lukasinho (@LukasFCB321) April 6, 2026
Swiatek’s excitement extended to social media, where she shared footage of the session and her gratitude for the open doors in Spain.
“Training, learning and embracing each day here in Mallorca. Thank you @rafaelnadal for making me feel at home. 😊🎾,” she posted.
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Swiatek needed this reset. She holds an uncharacteristic 12-6 match record for the 2026 season, and her hard-court struggles peaked two weeks ago at the Miami Open when Magda Linette stunned her in the second round.
That defeat served as the final straw for her team’s structure. Swiatek parted ways with coach Wim Fissette immediately after the loss and quickly replaced him with Francisco Roig.
Roig spent 17 years in Nadal’s coaching camp from 2005 through 2022. He helped construct the heavy topspin baseline game that produced 14 French Open titles.
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart Serves as Iga Swiatek’s Next Test
We won’t have to wait long to see if the new partnership works. Swiatek will be back as the No. 2 seed at the 2025 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, which runs from April 12–20, 2025. As a top-four seed, she will also get a first-round bye and enter the tournament aiming for her third title after winning in 2022 and 2023.
The indoor clay courts in Germany suit her heavy strokes perfectly. Taking her aggressive game back to her favorite surface is the easiest way to rebuild her confidence.
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She will face a loaded singles draw at the Porsche Arena for her first test under Roig. But Swiatek knows exactly how to win there, as she captured the Stuttgart title in 2022 and successfully defended her crown in 2023.
Practicing in Mallorca would give Swiatek the perfect edge in Stuttgart. The red clay at the academy plays very similarly to the courts she will see across Europe over the next two months.
