Iga Swiatek was Coco Gauff’s kryptonite not long ago, but things have changed…
Swiatek won 11 of their first 12 meetings, but hasn’t beaten Gauff since.
The American star won her fourth consecutive match against the Pole at the 2026 United Cup, as Gauff defeated Swiatek 6-4, 6-2.
Who is the greatest women’s tennis player of all time?
But how has Gauff turned the tide of her rivalry with Swiatek?
During the latest episode of ‘Love All‘, former world number one Kim Clijsters shared her thoughts.
Kim Clijsters says Coco Gauff isn’t giving Iga Swiatek any rhythm
“I think what stood out to me the most in their last match-up was the variety in Coco’s game that was really causing Iga [Swiatek] a lot of issues,” she said.
“People talk a lot about Coco’s forehand, but she hits such a heavy ball; she doesn’t hit the most winners with her forehands, but the combination of the depth of her forehand, the heavy topspin on a court that I hear has been popping up a little bit more, is hard for somebody like Iga.
“That combination with the backhand, where she can step in, can cause a faster pace…
“She was using her dropshots a lot, Iga was standing a little bit further behind the baseline, she was constantly looking to step in, and look for that dropshot.
“Coco was really putting Iga out of balance, not giving her a lot of rhythm.”
Where will Coco Gauff be ranked at the end of the 2026 season?
Clijsters went on to explain how Swiatek is beginning to struggle mentally against Gauff.
“On Iga’s side, I feel like in moments where she’s starting to doubt herself, she panics a little bit, and her go-to is, ‘I want to hit harder, move my feet better.’ It always starts to look very forced and cramped,” she said.
“All credit to Coco there, she’s really found a game plan that really works against Iga, and I think it’s also become a little bit of a mental bonus on Coco’s side.
Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek’s head-to-head record
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2026 United Cup – SF | Coco Gauff | Iga Swiatek | 6-4, 6-2 |
| 2025 Madrid Open – SF | Coco Gauff | Iga Swiatek | 6-1, 6-1 |
| 2025 United Cup – F | Coco Gauff | Iga Swiatek | 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2024 WTA Finals – RR | Coco Gauff | Iga Swiatek | 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2024 French Open – SF | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 6-2, 6-4 |
| 2024 Italian Open – SF | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 6-4, 6-3 |
| 2023 WTA Finals – RR | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 6-0, 7-5 |
| 2023 China Open – SF | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 6-2, 6-3 |
| 2023 Cincinnati Open – SF | Coco Gauff | Iga Swiatek | 7-6, 3-6, 6-4 |
| 2023 French Open – QF | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 6-4, 6-2 |
| 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships – SF | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 6-4, 6-2 |
| 2022 WTA Finals – RR | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 6-3, 6-0 |
| 2022 San Diego Open – QF | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 6-0, 6-3 |
| 2022 French Open – F | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 6-1, 6-3 |
| 2022 Miami Open – 4R | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 6-3, 6-1 |
| 2021 Italian Open – SF | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 7-6, 6-3 |
“She has the confidence; Iga is starting to doubt.
“The last time she beat her was the semifinal of the 2024 French Open, so the tides are turning.
“Good for Coco, for finding solutions, because that’s what great champions do.”
However, despite Gauff’s recent success against Swiatek, the Pole still has a commanding lead in their head-to-head.
- Iga Swiatek 11-5 Coco Gauff
Only time will tell if Gauff can close that gap in 2026…
Coco Gauff’s H2H records against the WTA Top 10
Gauff is currently ranked third in the world, behind Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka.
If she is to jump the pair, she will need to start beating them and the rest of the top 10 more regularly.
But against how many players in the top 10 does Gauff have a winning head-to-head record?
- vs Aryna Sabalenka (6-6) – TIED
- vs Iga Swiatek (5-11) – LOSING
- vs Amanda Anisimova (1-2) – LOSING
- vs Elena Rybakina (1-0) – WINNING
- vs Jessica Pegula (3-5) – LOSING
- vs Jasmine Paolini (4-3) – WINNING
- vs Mirra Andreeva (4-0) – WINNING
- vs Madison Keys (3-3) – TIED
- vs Belinda Bencic (4-2) – WINNING
Gauff has a winning head-to-head record against four top 10 players: Elena Rybakina, Jasmine Paolini, Mirra Andreeva, and Belinda Bencic.
She will, however, be concerned about her losing records against Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, and Amanda Anisimova.
Perhaps Gauff will have a chance to improve those records at the upcoming Australian Open, which begins on Sunday, January 18.
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