Iga Swiatek has described her partnership with new coach Francisco Roig as the start of a “new chapter,” as she begins her clay-court season with renewed focus and a fresh technical direction.
The world No. 4 recently brought Roig, the former long-time coach of Rafael Nadal, into her team following a mixed start to the 2026 season. The change came after Swiatek parted ways with Wim Fissette after early exits in several tournaments, including a shock loss at the Miami Open.
Speaking ahead of her clay campaign in Stuttgart, Swiatek said she is happy with the early stages of the collaboration and values Roig’s experience on tour. She highlighted his technical understanding and ability to handle different match situations, saying she was looking for a coach with both tactical sharpness and deep tour knowledge.
Source: The Globe and Mail
A key part of the new setup is also the influence of Rafael Nadal, whose training base at the Rafa Nadal Academy played a role in Swiatek’s preparation. The Polish star spent time training there before the clay swing and received input from Nadal, which she described as a valuable source of inspiration.
Swiatek has been open about her desire to reset after a challenging stretch of form, where she fell short of her usual standards across several early-season events. The addition of Roig is seen as part of a broader effort to stabilise her game and rebuild confidence on her strongest surface.
Roig, who worked with Nadal from 2005 to 2022, brings extensive clay-court expertise and long-term tour experience. He has also previously coached several other top players, adding to his reputation as a technically focused and adaptable coach.
With the clay season underway, Swiatek is aiming to regain momentum at a time when she has historically dominated the surface. She currently remains one of the leading contenders heading into the European swing and the upcoming French Open.
For now, Swiatek is keeping expectations measured but optimistic, with her focus firmly on building consistency under her new coach as this latest phase of her career begins.
