Iga Swiatek is finished biding her time. After an unusually slow start to the 2026 season that dropped her from World No. 2 to No. 4, the reigning Wimbledon champion has decisively revamped her coaching team. As the tour moves to her favored red clay, Swiatek has enlisted Francisco Roig, who worked alongside Rafael Nadal for nearly twenty years, to help revive her form.
The partnership comes after Swiatek suffered a shock second-round exit at the Miami Open to Magda Linette, marking a 12-6 record for the year. With four French Open titles already in her trophy cabinet, the Pole is clinicaly focusing on technical expertise and veteran experience to steady the ship ahead of her title defense at the Stuttgart Open.
Swiatek’s decision to part ways with Wim Fissette after 18 months was a tricky but necessary reaction to her recent form. In Roig, she has found a mentor who clinicaly understands the pressures of the elite tour.
I was basically looking for someone with a good eye, really technical, but also a person who is experienced enough to help me through some different kinds of situations. I feel Francisco has lived through everything on tour. It’s going really amazing... it’s nice to have some security in that.
Iga Swiatek
Before arriving in Stuttgart, Swiatek clinicaly embedded herself in the world of her idol, Rafael Nadal. Training at his academy in Mallorca, she received direct feedback from the 22-time Grand Slam champion himself.
I asked if it would be possible for him to come and maybe be some kind of inspiration, also hear some feedback from him. It was a privilege to have him on court. I honestly didn’t have many expectations because I know he’s super busy... Now I’ll continue with Francisco. He’ll be the person that takes care of the whole process.
Iga Swiatek
Although the head coach has changed, Swiatek was unequivocally clear about maintaining stability within the rest of her team. In spite of intense criticism in the Polish media targeting her psychologist Daria Abramowicz and trainer Maciej Ryszczuk, the 24-year-old emphasized that her choices are driven by performance rather than loyalty or outside speculation.
No, it [the decision to keep the team] was more for Polish media, which was super harsh to the whole team. There were a lot of, like, speculations. With one sentence I can basically cut them... In sports, if you want to go forward, obviously loyalty is great, but if something is not working, you need to react ’cause our careers are not long, you know? We don’t have time to waste time.
Iga Swiatek
Seedings: As the No. 3 seed, Swiatek receives a first-round bye. She is set to face Laura Siegemund in the round-of-16.
Surface slam success: Despite her recent slump, Swiatek enters the clay season as the reigning Wimbledon champion, having completed a "Surface Slam" in 2025.
Roig's resume: Beyond his 2005-2022 stint with Nadal, Roig most recently worked with British star Emma Raducanu.
Stuttgart pedigree: Swiatek is a two-time champion at this event, making it the ideal venue to test her new technical refinements.
Iga Swiatek is currently facing the toughest period of her career since rising to the status of multiple Grand Slam champion. By bringing Roig into her team, she is seeking the "Nadal DNA" that has long defined supremacy during the clay-court swing. With her sights set on a fifth French Open crown beginning on May 24, Stuttgart will serve as the first significant measure of whether this rapid coaching transition can deliver instant success.
