Iga Swiatek will kick off her clay-court season on Wednesday in Stuttgart, taking over the at all times tough Laura Siegemund in a round-of-16 conflict on the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
The temper surrounding the two-time champion (2022, 2023) is markedly completely different from what it was a yr in the past—or perhaps a few weeks again.
When Swiatek arrived in Stuttgart final spring, she was driving a wave of dominance on clay. She had received 24 of her earlier 25 matches on the floor, capturing titles in Madrid, Rome and at Roland-Garros, the place she claimed her third consecutive crown. In doing so, she had reeled off 21 straight wins in Paris, turning into the fourth lady within the Open Period to win not less than 4 Roland-Garros titles—and the primary to win three in a row since Justine Henin in 2007.
In brief, she regarded untouchable on clay.
However the tide turned in 2025. Swiatek fell within the Stuttgart quarterfinals and went on to overlook out on defending her titles in Madrid, Rome and Roland-Garros.
Now, as she appears to be like to rebuild that aura, Swiatek has made a daring transfer—turning to the Rafael Nadal Academy for her clay-court preparation. After parting methods with coach Wim Fissette, she introduced in Francisco Roig, longtime member of Rafael Nadal’s teaching group.
Forward of her fifth look in Stuttgart, Swiatek spoke in regards to the determination and her early impressions.
“I’m actually completely happy to start out with Francis,” she stated on Monday. “I used to be on the lookout for somebody with a very good eye, very technical, but additionally skilled sufficient to information me by completely different conditions. I really feel like Francisco has seen all the pieces on tour.”
Swiatek, who has misplaced 5 of her final 16 clay-court matches—a pointy distinction to her 62-5 file on the floor from 2022 to 2024—admits the partnership continues to be in its early phases.
“We’re nonetheless attending to know one another. All of it occurred fairly rapidly,” she stated. “It’s a constructive factor to discover a coach quick, particularly in the course of the season. It provides you a way of safety, and I used to be already capable of get some good apply in Mallorca.”
The choice to coach on the Nadal Academy had been on her thoughts for a while.
“I needed to go to Mallorca as a result of I knew the amenities and the courts,” Swiatek stated. “I knew I might do stable work there with out distractions.”
And she or he even acquired a lift from the King of Clay himself.
“I requested if it will be potential for him to come back and possibly give some suggestions or simply be an inspiration,” she stated. “It was a privilege to have him on courtroom. I didn’t anticipate a lot as a result of I understand how busy he’s—but it surely meant quite a bit.”
Because the clay season begins, Swiatek will probably be hoping a little bit of that Nadal magic travels together with her.
