Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys react to Rafael Nadal working with Iga Swiatek

While Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys were playing the Credit One Charleston Open, they did not have time to react to the video footage of Rafael Nadal working with Iga Swiatek and her new coach Francisco Roig at Rafa Nadal Academy.

Daily videos show tennis fans that Swiatek has shared a lot of quality clay court time and instruction from Nadal.

On The Player’s Box podcast, Pegula, Keys, and their cohosts Jennifer Brady and Desirae Krawcyzk talked about the Swiatek/Nadal situation.

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“Should be illegal”

An initial lighthearted reaction was that Nadal, the 14-time French Open champion, also known as the King of Clay, should not be allowed to spill his trade secrets to four-time French Open champion, Swiatek.

Pegula made a comment that working with Nadal is “on brand” for Swiatek. She did not elaborate, but we know that Nadal is Swiatek’s tennis idol. Swiatek has struggled in 2026 and recently fired Wim Fissette who helped her win Wimbledon 2025.

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Pegula and Keys speculate what Nadal is thinking

Pegula talked about how intimidating it would be to hit in front of Nadal and thought she would be constantly apologizing for missing shots.

Keys said that if she ever worked with Nadal, he would tell her to step off the baseline which is impossible for her because in her words, she cannot run like he did.

All the women admitted it would be nerve wracking to do what Swiatek is doing.

All eyes will be on Swiatek

One thing is for sure, the minute Swiatek takes the court at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix next week in Stuttgart, all eyes will be on her. Fans will be looking for visible evidence of Nadal’s influence.

As Billie Jean King often says, “Pressure is a privilege.” Swiatek is enjoying more of each while working with Nadal.