Iga Swiatek Enlists Rafael Nadal’s Former Coach in Pursuit of French Open Glory
Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek is making a strategic move to revitalize her game, enlisting the expertise of Francisco Roig – renowned for his successful 17-year partnership with Rafael Nadal and a more recent stint with Emma Raducanu. This collaboration comes as Swiatek seeks to overcome inconsistencies that have plagued her performance in 2026, including quarter-final exits at the Australian Open and Indian Wells.
The 24-year-old Polish star historically excels on clay, having secured four of her six Grand Slam titles at the French Open. With Roland Garros looming, Swiatek has proactively brought Roig onboard to fine-tune her preparation. She announced the partnership on Instagram, expressing her excitement for this “new chapter” with a warm welcome to the team.
Back to Basics: Reclaiming Dominance on Clay
Swiatek began training with Roig at Nadal’s academy in Majorca this week, benefiting from firsthand advice from the tennis legend himself. Nadal’s insights are invaluable as Swiatek aims to recapture the dominance that saw her reign supreme at the French Open between 2020 and 2024. The goal is to rediscover a more stable baseline game, forcing errors from opponents and dictating play.
This coaching change follows a split with Wim Fissette, who guided Swiatek to her Wimbledon triumph in July. While their partnership yielded significant success, including the SW19 title, it also experienced setbacks, such as a challenging semi-final loss at the 2024 French Open.
Learning from the Best: Roig’s Proven Track Record
Swiatek has consistently sought guidance from Nadal, recognizing his unparalleled experience. Following Fissette’s departure, she directly consulted with the “King of Clay,” who immediately recommended Roig – a pivotal figure in his own 22 Grand Slam victories.
Roig’s role alongside Nadal’s primary coaches, Toni Nadal and Carlos Moya, was instrumental in implementing the technical adjustments that allowed the Spaniard to maintain his competitive edge. Swiatek, in a recent interview with Polish media, expressed her desire to return to being “a rock on the court”, emphasizing a shift away from aggressive, pressure-induced hitting towards a more consistent and strategic approach.
This return to fundamentals mirrors the style that propelled her to four Roland Garros titles, leveraging her devastating topspin forehand. The hope is that Roig’s expertise will help her refine this technique and regain her championship form.
Challenges and Expectations
While Roig’s work with Nadal was undeniably successful, his solo ventures with players like Raducanu haven’t yielded the same results. However, his deep understanding of the game and proven ability to optimize technical aspects make him a potentially ideal fit for Swiatek. The length of their agreement remains undisclosed, but the focus is clear: prepare Iga Swiatek for a strong showing at the French Open and beyond.
Stay updated with the latest tennis news: BBC Sport Tennis
