Iga Swiatek’s first tournament campaign under the wing of her new coach, Francisco Roig, was short-lived.
Swiatek parted ways with Wim Fissette after a year and a half of working together following an early exit at the Miami Open.
The Pole had recorded a fairly disappointing start to the 2026 season by her standards and has since appointed Rafael Nadal’s former coach, Roig.
Where do you think she will be ranked?
In Swiatek‘s second match at the Stuttgart Open, her first clay-court event of the year, she lost to Mirra Andreeva in three sets.
Having dropped from second to fourth in the WTA rankings, Coco Gauff‘s former coach, Brad Gilbert, is now concerned about the six-time major champion’s game.
Brad Gilbert discusses Iga Swiatek’s current form on the WTA Tour
Speaking on Tennis Channel, Gilbert said: “She is doing some things which make you wonder. This surface is the most familiar to her (clay).
“I am a little concerned about the serve and I’m a little bit concerned that she used to absorb pace so much better.
“Now, when balls are coming at her fast, she seems to not handle the pace as well. But in tennis you are just one win away from regaining your confidence.
“Let’s see what this new coaching team has in store for her. She does not have the clarity that she used to.”
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Former American player Coco Vandeweghe added: “I think her game is soft right now. I think it’s very much honourable, and there is a lot of question marks.
“I think for being a Grand Slam champion and will always be a champion, there are a lot of scary ghosts. She is the victim of her own success, that’s the problem.”
Iga Swiatek’s points to defend during the clay season
Swiatek did not drop any points at the Stuttgart Open, as she matched her finish from last year, but the 24-year-old will have plenty to protect during the clay season.
At the ongoing Madrid Open, Swiatek is defending 390 WTA points, having made the semifinals of the WTA 1000 event in 2025.
She will only have to look after 65 points at the Italian Open after a third round exit last year to Danielle Collins.
But then at Roland Garros, 780 points are at stake for four-time champion of the tournament, Swiatek, who advanced to the 2025 semifinals.
It won’t get much easier for Swiatek in the grass season either, with 2325 points to defend across the Bad Homburg Open and Wimbledon.
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