Iga Swiatek, the reigning French Open champion, has openly expressed her deep admiration for Rafael Nadal as he prepares for his farewell ceremony at Roland Garros. Swiatek, known for her dominance on clay courts, shared her anticipation and emotional response to Nadal’s upcoming tribute.
“I really want to watch it. I’ll see what the schedule looks like for Monday. I need to be aware that for sure I’m gonna cry,” Swiatek admitted during a pre-tournament press conference. She emphasized her desire to attend the ceremony, stating, “We should all kind of get together and celebrate Rafa and what he did for our sport. What kind of inspiration he was and still is. It means a lot to me. So I would love to be there. We will see about the schedule.” 
Swiatek’s connection to Nadal extends beyond admiration. She has often cited him as a significant influence on her career, particularly in her approach to the game and mental toughness. Their shared success on clay courts further solidifies this bond, with Swiatek aiming for her fourth consecutive French Open title, mirroring Nadal’s early dominance at the tournament. ([Reuters][2])
Nadal’s farewell ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 25, at Court Philippe-Chatrier, following the day’s matches. This event marks the end of an era, celebrating Nadal’s unparalleled achievements at Roland Garros, where he secured 14 titles. ([Sportskeeda][3], [EssentiallySports][4])
Swiatek’s heartfelt remarks underscore the profound impact Nadal has had on the sport and its players. Her anticipation of the ceremony reflects the collective sentiment of the tennis community, honoring a legend whose legacy transcends the court.
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**Emotional Clickbait Headlines:**
For more insights into Swiatek’s thoughts on Nadal’s farewell, you can watch her full press conference below:
[Iga Swiatek: “For sure I’m going to cry during Rafa Nadal’s ceremony”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR88ip-OE2U&utm_source=chatgpt.com)
[1]: https://www.puntodebreak.com/en/2025/05/23/swiatek-about-nadals-tribute-at-roland-garros-im-going-to-cry?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Swiatek, about Nadal’s tribute at Roland Garros: \”I’m going to cry\””
[2]: https://www.reuters.com/sports/tennis/swiatek-ready-title-defence-after-attitude-shift-2025-05-23/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Swiatek ready for title defence after attitude shift”
[3]: https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-i-m-gonna-cry-iga-swiatek-makes-honest-confession-attending-rafael-nadal-s-french-open-ceremony?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Iga Swiatek Rafael Nadal French Open ceremony – Sportskeeda”
[4]: https://www.essentiallysports.com/wta-tennis-news-im-gonna-cry-rafael-nadals-emotional-french-open-farewell-triggers-honest-reaction-from-her-biggest-wta-fan/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “‘I’m Gonna Cry’- Rafael Nadal’s Emotional French Open Farewell …”