Jessica Pegula makes thoughts clear on rival training with Rafa Nadal | Tennis | Sport

Jessica Pegula has jokingly stated that Iga Swiatek should not be allowed to compete after clips emerged of her training with Rafael Nadal. Swiatek recently announced her split from Wim Fissette with Emma Raducanu’s former coach Francisco Roig replacing him ahead of the clay season kicking off.

That certainly appears to be a clever decision with Roig spending 17 years alongside Nadal, who was nearly unstoppable on clay, and photos have since emerged via Instagram that he was also offering tips to Swiatek in a practice session. Unsurprisingly, that has become a major talking point in the sport with Madison Keys, Desirae Krawczyk and Pegula all sharing their thoughts.

On the latest episode of the Player’s Box Podcast, the latter said: “I saw that clip of (Iga and Rafa) on the clay, and I was like, Uhhhh… this is bad for everybody,” Pegula joked. “This should be illegal. This should not be allowed!” Keys added: “I was like, Oh god. The last thing we needed Iga to have on the clay was Rafa… Scary.”

Krawczyk later stated:“I would be so nervous hitting in front of him.I mean, I would be so excited, but I’d be like, ‘Oh my god, I can’t miss in front of Rafa!” The change from Swiatek comes after a slow start to the 2026 season with the 24-year-old failing to get beyond the quarter-finals at the Australian Open, Qatar Open and Indian Wells.

That changed at the Miami Open however, with Swiatek upset in the first round by Magda Linette with the split from Fissette announced the following week. Training for the clay-court swing is now in full effect with Poland international due to compete Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart in just a few days.

Following her Australian Open final defeat to Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka has been dominating the women’s game over the last few weeks. She completed the Sunshine Double in March by triumphing at Indian Wells and in the Miami Open.

However, she will not be in Germany later this month due to an injury suffered in Miami, as confirmed on social media. That seemingly opens the door for one of Swiatek, Rybakina, Pegula and Coco Gauff to secure a major triumph.

Swiatek’s last big victory came at Wimbledon where she did not lose a game to Amanda Anisimova. She will be hoping to make it consecutive triumphs at the All England Club in July with the Madrid and French Open as big tournaments on the schedule before then.