Swiatek Turns to New Coach Roig Ahead of Clay Season After Slow Start

Iga Swiatek is looking to reset her season with the help of new coach Francisco Roig as she prepares to begin her claycourt campaign at the Stuttgart Open this week.

The world number four has endured an inconsistent start to the year, falling short of expectations in several key tournaments. The six-time Grand Slam champion reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open but was unable to build momentum, suffering further quarter-final exits in Doha and at Indian Wells. Her struggles continued with a surprise second-round defeat to Magda Linette at the Miami Open last month.

The disappointing run prompted Swiatek to end her partnership with coach Wim Fissette and bring in Roig, a highly experienced figure on the tour. Roig is best known for his long association with Rafael Nadal, having worked alongside the 22-time Grand Slam champion for nearly two decades.

Speaking ahead of her return to competition, Swiatek said she was seeking both technical insight and experience when choosing her new coach. She added that Roig’s long career in the sport made him well-equipped to guide her through different situations on tour.

“It’s going really well so far,” she said, noting that securing a new coach quickly during the season had provided a sense of stability at a crucial time.

Swiatek has already begun preparations for the clay season, which remains the strongest phase of her game. She has won four titles at the French Open and is widely regarded as one of the leading players on the surface. Her build-up included a training block at Nadal’s academy in Mallorca, where she also had the opportunity to receive feedback from the Spanish great.

She described the experience as a privilege, saying she had not expected Nadal to spend time on court given his busy schedule. Even so, his presence provided additional motivation as she fine-tunes her game ahead of the European clay swing.

Looking ahead, Swiatek confirmed that Roig will take full charge of her coaching setup as she aims to regain form and confidence. With the French Open beginning on May 24, the coming weeks will be critical for the Polish star as she seeks to reassert herself among the top contenders.

Her campaign at the Stuttgart Open marks the first step in that process, offering an early indication of how the new partnership may shape her season.