Iga Swiatek’s new coach, Francisco Roig, wasted no time in making the changes he thinks the six-time major champion needs.
Swiatek appointed Roig earlier this month after parting ways with Wim Fissette, whom she had worked with for a year and a half.
The split with Fissette came during a poor run of form on the WTA Tour, which ended with an opening round exit at the Miami Open.
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Roig, who has previously coached Rafael Nadal, was in Swiatek‘s player box at the Stuttgart Open, where she bowed out in the quarterfinals.
The Spaniard has changed the Pole’s service motion entirely, which former British player Naomi Broady explained the details of.
Naomi Broady details Iga Swiatek’s new service motion
Speaking on Sky Sports, Broady said of Swiatek’s serve: “It was always a very stiff right arm. [Before], her racquet arm is almost completely straight as she takes it back compared to this week, it’s bent almost to a right angle like so many other players.
“I think so much of it is coming from trying to keep her wrist loose, you know, when your arm is straight, it’s very difficult to then have a loosey goosey wrist at the end to snap over the top of the ball or to brush up the back of it if you’re trying to hit spin.
“So the bent arm is supposed to be to get the height at the back with the arm for that sort of trophy tick position, but then also the importance is the looseness of the wrist. So, yeah, that’s the big key that we’re looking out for.
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“It’s interesting that Swiatek felt it was the serve that needed the eyeballs because I don’t know if it’s something that I would have picked out of her game as a huge hole. It’s quite a big technical adjustment to happen mid-season.”
Naomi Broady calls Swiatek’s approach to the change ‘messy’
Broady continued: “You have to give a lot of trust to your coaches and to go all in as to what they’re telling you to do, especially mid-season.
“It’s a little bit messy for me that she was doing it in practice, but didn’t feel comfortable doing it in Stuttgart.
“You’re almost changing day by day, aren’t you, as to what you’re doing. So I’m happy that she’s just gone full sent now.
“I think even if you have to sacrifice one tournament and view it that way, but for the long term and to be ready for the French Open that’s on the horizon, you have to just fully commit.”
Swiatek will be looking to recapture her Roland Garros crown after a failed title defence last year.
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