Andy Roddick makes his feelings known about Rafael Nadal-like Iga Swiatek's "panic" and "intensity" on the court

Andy Roddick recently claimed that Iga Swiatek's intensity on court was similar to that of Rafael Nadal's. Swiatek bowed out of the Australian Open after losing a thrilling semifinal to 19th seed Madison Keys. The Pole won the first set 7-5 before Keys pulled off a remarkable comeback to bag the second set 6-1. The third set went to a tiebreak and Keys won it 10-8 to reach her second Major final.

Swiatek did not let her intensity falter during the match, a trait which Andy Roddick feels is very much like Rafael Nadal. Speaking on his podcast Served with Andy Roddick, the former World No. 1 said he saw a lot of similarities between Swiatek and Nadal’s on-court demeanors.

“I relate to watching Iga a little bit more because I was a little more frantic. I was a little more fidgety. Her intensity, point-to-point, is Rafa-like. She emotes more than Rafa, which makes us view her as…Rafa doesn't give you anything when he's losing points. Iga will look at the box and maybe look a little more panicked sometimes, but she's right back as far as point-to-point and refocusing and resetting (is concerned),” said Roddick (3:13 onwards).

Iga Swiatek has said in the past that she looks up to Nadal and was even pictured reading a book about him at the Australian Open this year. Based on her intensity on the court, Roddick said it was no surprise that she idolized the 14-time French Open champion.

“It's not hard to see that Rafa was her idol. She mimics that. One point to the next one, to the next one, her intensity never falters,” added Roddick.

Iga Swiatek matched her best-ever performance at the Australian Open, having previously reached the semifinals in 2022.

Iga Swiatek on Australian Open semifinal exit

Iga Swiatek after her semifinal defeat at the Australian Open (Image Source: Getty)

The Pole had an impressive run at the Australian Open, having registered five straight-set wins before her defeat to Madison Keys. She dropped just 14 games before her semifinal.

Reflecting on her tournament, Swiatek said she was proud of her performance

"It was tight, you know, from the beginning. And the second set for sure, like, it was something that I just wanted to forget about and get back to my game, you know?" Iga Swiatek said.

The five-time Grand Slam champion continued:

"So I would say, yeah, this first set and third set where I feel like I was playing, you know, my tennis," she continued. "Maybe, okay, it wasn't like a 100% control as on previous matches. Still, I think I played good, but she played better. And so I would say like I did everything I could so I wouldn't say like I flopped or that I should have won."

Iga Swiatek will have to wait for her maiden Australian Open title, while Keys has a chance to seal hers when she takes on top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the women’s final on Saturday, January 25.