Iga Świątek Finds Form on Clay with New Coach

This week has seen Iga Świątek thrive on the clay courts of the French Open. The four-time champion is back on her preferred surface under sunny skies. The heat at Roland Garros has amplified the topspin on her forehand.

Fortune has also been in her favor. Jelena Ostapenko, who has troubled Świątek in the past, was ousted by Magda Linette, avoiding a tricky third-round clash. Another surprise upset came when Elena Rybakina lost to Yulia Starodubtseva, leaving Mirra Andreeva as the highest seed in Świątek’s quarter.

Feeling clear-headed and balanced, Świątek is ready to capitalize on these developments. Entering the fourth round with her new coach Francisco Roig, she faces Marta Kostyuk, whom she has defeated three times previously.

“I feel like the decision-making has been better, and that’s an improvement,” Świątek said. “After how I played in the States, anything better is positive.”

Świątek’s American hard court season was a rollercoaster. She briefly lost her world No. 1 ranking to Rybakina after exiting Indian Wells in the quarterfinals. A surprising second-round loss to Linette in Miami followed, breaking her streak of 73 opening-match wins.

Conflicted in her playing style, she parted ways with her coach, Wim Fisette. She sought a new direction, looking to become a “wall on the court.” Świątek spent time in Mallorca training under Rafael Nadal’s guidance, hiring Roig as her coach. Roig’s approach focuses on a patient playstyle, enhancing Świątek’s decision-making and confidence.

They’ve implemented longer rally practices, helping Świątek regain confidence. Roig also refined her footwork, emphasizing higher stances and balance. This adjustment helped her feel stable again.

In recent French Open matches, Świątek’s improvements were evident. Against Sara Bejlek, she managed 38 unforced errors but maintained control. “I wanted to be flexible and adjust and play my game,” she said, assessing her ability to dominate the game despite unpredictability.

Świątek’s third-round win against Linette provided a benchmark. Though her shot selection wasn’t always perfect, she controlled the match. Her confidence was evident as she managed to keep a clear head, a vital change from earlier in the season.

“Now I feel that, for most of the time, I make good decisions, and kind of rationally,” Świątek said. “There are moments where I go for it, maybe a bit too much.”

Looking ahead, Świątek must adjust to the cooler conditions forecasted for the remaining matches. This will allow her to swing with more precision. Świątek, now adaptable and confident, seems prepared to extend her success through the rest of the tournament.