Iga Świątek Receives 'Priceless' Clay-Court Masterclass From Rafael Nadal

The six-time Grand Slam champion recently practiced with Świątek at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, catching the attention of former coach Brad Gilbert.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 5:34am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a tennis match between Iga Świątek and Rafael Nadal, with sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant colors representing the dynamic movement and energy of the sport.A unique training session with clay-court legend Rafael Nadal provides rising star Iga Świątek a chance to refine her game and regain her confidence on the surface.Today in Miami

Polish tennis star Iga Świątek is getting a clay-court masterclass from 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. Nadal has been actively contributing to Świątek's training session, sharing his wisdom and expertise on the dirt. The session caught the attention of former ESPN analyst and coach Brad Gilbert, who praised it as a 'priceless' experience for Świątek.

Why it matters

Świątek has always cited Nadal as her ultimate tennis idol, and this training session provides her with a unique opportunity to learn directly from the clay-court legend. As Świątek looks to bounce back from a recent slump, this masterclass could help her regain her confidence and dominance on the surface she's most comfortable with.

The details

Świątek, the six-time Grand Slam champion, recently visited the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, where she practiced with Nadal himself. The Spaniard stepped onto the dirt to share his wisdom and actively contribute to Świątek's training session. The tennis world quickly noticed the iconic practice, and former ESPN analyst Brad Gilbert praised the session on social media, calling it 'priceless' for Świątek.

  • Świątek recently practiced at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca.

The players

Iga Świątek

A six-time Grand Slam champion and Polish tennis star who has always cited Rafael Nadal as her ultimate tennis idol.

Rafael Nadal

A 22-time Grand Slam champion and clay-court legend who provided Świątek with a masterclass on the surface at his academy in Mallorca.

Brad Gilbert

A former ESPN analyst and coach of players like Coco Gauff, who praised Świątek's training session with Nadal as a 'priceless' experience.

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What they’re saying

“This is priceless for Iga Pop, so cool 😎 to see Vamos Rafa on the practice court.”

— Brad Gilbert, Former ESPN Analyst

“Training, learning and embracing each day here in Mallorca. Thank you @rafaelnadal for making me feel at home. 😊🎾”

— Iga Świątek

What’s next

Świątek will be back as the No. 2 seed at the 2025 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, which runs from April 12–20, 2025. The indoor clay courts in Germany suit her heavy strokes perfectly, and taking her aggressive game back to her favorite surface is the easiest way to rebuild her confidence.

The takeaway

This training session with Nadal provides Świątek with a unique opportunity to learn directly from the clay-court legend, which could be invaluable as she looks to bounce back from a recent slump and regain her dominance on the surface she's most comfortable with.