Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys react to Iga Swiatek training with Rafael Nadal: “Should be illegal!”

One of the biggest stories in tennis just got even bigger: Iga Swiatek has been training at the Rafa Nadal Academy with new coach Francisco Roig ahead of the clay-court season—and she’s even getting tips from the clay G.O.A.T. himself.

Last week, Swiatek announced she had hired Roig—Rafael Nadal’s longtime second coach, who recently worked with Emma Raducanu and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard—ahead of the European clay swing.

Read More: Iga Swiatek hires longtime Nadal coach Francisco Roig, begins reset on clay

The world No. 4 has been sharing glimpses of her training block in Mallorca, home to the renowned academy and a popular base for pros like Alexandra Eala and Casper Ruud. But Swiatek wasn’t just on court with Roig. In several clips, she was seen hitting alongside Nadal himself, who even appeared to demonstrate his signature forehand in one viral moment.

The news quickly made its way to The Players Box podcast, where Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Jennifer Brady and Desirae Krawczyk perfectly summed up the WTA locker room reaction:

“Scary!”

In the latest episode, the players discussed the biggest headlines on tour, including two major coaching changes: Swiatek’s split from Wim Fissette and Amanda Anisimova’s separation from Hendrik Vleeshouwers.

Pegula called Swiatek’s partnership with Roig—and her time on court with Nadal—“perfect” for the Pole, who grew up idolizing the 14-time Roland Garros champion and has previously trained at his academy.

But what’s good news for Swiatek is ominous for the rest of the field, especially with the clay swing—usually her most dominant stretch—already underway.

“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!”

Read More: The King's Empire: How the Rafa Nadal Academy was built

“I was like, Oh god,” Keys said. “The last thing we needed Iga to have on the clay was Rafa… Scary.”

“I would be so nervous hitting in front of him,” Krawczyk added. “I mean, I would be so excited, but I’d be like, ‘Oh my god, I can’t miss in front of Rafa!”

Swiatek’s move comes as she looks to rebound from a slow start to the season—by her standards—having yet to advance past the quarterfinals at any tournament. She reached the last eight at the Australian Open, Doha and Indian Wells, but stumbled in Miami, where she was upset in her opening match by 34-year-old Magda Linette after leading by a set. The loss marked her first opening-round defeat since 2021, and she announced her split with Fissette a week later.

Swiatek is next scheduled to compete at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, beginning April 13.