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Special guest at Rafa Nadal's French Open session sends fans bonkers

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·3-min read
Rafael Nadal (pictured right) sharing a joke with Iga Swiatek (pictured left) as they practice together at Roland Garros.
Rafael Nadal (pictured right) share a special practice session with women's Roland Garros defending champion Iga Swiatek (pictured left) ahead of their First Round matches. (Images: @rolandgarros/Getty Images)

Defending champion Rafael Nadal was joined by a special guest for a brief hit during his practice session ahead of his Roland Garros defence.

Nadal was practising on the outside courts at Roland Garros ahead of his First Round clash against Aussie Alexei Popyrin, when women's defending champ Iga Swiatek watched on waiting for the court.

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The 19-year-old Polish superstar, who recently posted a photo of Nadal and her in the gym, has made it clear the Spaniard is one of her idols on the tennis circuit.

And in a memory she is sure never to forget, the Polish champion joined Nadal for a 20-minute hit as the pair prepared for the first round.

Fans couldn't get enough of the classy moment between two of the world's best players.

Both Nadal and Swiatek were billed as the favourites heading into their Roland Garros campaign.

Swiatek and Nadal French Open favourites

Swiatek will face tough competition against Aussie World No.1 Ash Barty, who was absent last year at the tournament due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Swiatek made the most of World No.1 Barty's recent withdrawal at the Italian Open to win the title before sending a warning to her French Open rivals.

Rafael Nadal (pictured left) and Iga Swiatek (pictured right) take a photo after a 20 minute practice session on Court 5 ahead of the French Open 2021.
Winners of the 2020 French Open seven months ago, Rafael Nadal (pictured left) and Iga Swiatek (pictured right) practice together for 20 minutes on Court 5 ahead of the French Open 2021. (Photo by John Berry/Getty Images)

The Polish teenager said she won't be satisfied with simply winning one grand slam trophy after claiming her first WTA 1000 title in Rome.

She was relatively unknown a year ago before winning her first career title at the 2020 French Open.

Nadal was drawn on the same side as both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in an unprecedented draw.

The Spaniard will be looking to become the first man ever to reach 21 Grand Slam titles if he win his 14th Roland Garros title.

But the 'King of Clay' could face a tough draw with a potential match-up with Djokovic in the semi-final.

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