World number one Iga Swiatek has won 28 straight matches and idolises Rafael Nadal
Ash Barty’s shock retirement earlier this year left the tennis world reeling and wondering who just might emerge from her shadow.
It is not just the fact she has won all of these tournaments, it is the way she has been utterly dominant over the rest of the field. “It’s like Tyson, when he used to fight back in the days and he would just walk up and start punching people. There was no dancing around. She just hits people in the mouth now. It’s fun to watch.”
Does that dominance remind you of anyone? Maybe a certain Rafael Nadal? Well he is a huge inspiration for the Polish superstar and still a huge fan around him.“Rafa has always been my idol,” she said. “I have pretty sad memories of Roland Garros last year because I was crying when Rafa lost against Novak.