There’s no denying that Rafael Nadal is a tennis master, and every great player has a great coach. For Nadal, that person was Francisco Roig. As you can imagine, having Roig as a coach would already be a dream opportunity, but for Iga Swiatek, she’s been getting them both.
Swiatek, a multiple Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, parted ways with coach Wim Fissette in March following what she has called disappointing performances. A little over a week later, it was announced that she teamed up with coach Roig, and they’ve been training at the Rafa Nadal Academy.
© GettyBut Nadal himself has been spotted on the practice courts, offering input as Swiatek prepares for the clay season.
Nadal shared a photo on the court, writing in the caption, “Welcome back to the @rafanadalacademy! Enjoy your time here! We hope you feel at home.”
The next day, she posted a gallery of them training with Nadal nearby with his own racket, “Training, learning and embracing each day here in Mallorca. Thank you @rafaelnadal for making me feel at home.,” she wrote.
They’ve already proved to work great together. In 2022, they played mixed doubles against John McEnroe and Coco Gauff during a Tennis Plays For Peace exhibition match to benefit Ukraine, which they won 10-8.
© GettyClay courts are the red, slower surface used at tournaments like the French Open, and are a completely different game. Points last longer, movement is more challenging, and strategy is crucial. Swiatek is already a beast, having multiple titles on that same surface. So, having Nadal, who won a record 14 French Open titles and was basically unbeatable on clay, giving you pointers is, according to one person who wrote on Instagram, “dangerous.” Even her competitors can’t help but comment on the situation.
On the latest episode of the Player’s Box podcast, Jessica Pegula joked, “I saw the clip of them on the clay, I was like, ‘ugh, this is bad for everybody! ‘” This should be illegal,” she added. Madison Keys had a similar reaction: “The last thing we needed Iga to have on the clay was Rafa.”
Swiatek has already built a reputation as one of the most dominant clay-court players in the women’s game, but recently, things haven’t been as smooth. After starting the 2026 season near the top, she’s struggled to make deep runs in tournaments and even suffered an early exit at the Miami Open.
© Robert PrangeWhile Nadal is not officially her coach, his presence alone adds something extra. Swiatek has been known for her intensity on court and has even been labeled a “bad sport” in the past, and she has apologized for slamming a ball near a kid. Nadal has always been known to have a calm and focused demeanor and does not let his emotions get the best of him. So there’s also an opportunity for him to pass down advice on patience and mental control.
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