Iga Swiatek offered a candid assessment of her evolving partnership with new coach Francisco Roig following her quarterfinal exit at the Stuttgart Open.
The six-time Grand Slam champion saw her campaign come to an end after a hard-fought defeat to Mirra Andreeva, who rallied from a set down to secure a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory.
New coaching era begins
Swiatek entered the tournament amid a significant transition, having recently parted ways with former coach Wim Fissette. The split came after a disappointing early exit at the Miami Open, ending an 18-month collaboration.
In response, the Polish star brought in Francisco Roig, best known for his long association with Rafael Nadal. Roig also had a brief stint working with Emma Raducanu, adding further experience to his coaching résumé.
Positive signs despite defeat
Although Iga Swiatek’s Stuttgart run ended earlier than expected, there were encouraging signs during her first tournament under Roig’s guidance. She opened her clay-court season with a solid win over Laura Siegemund before running into a resurgent Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals.
Reflecting on her new coaching setup, Swiatek emphasized that the relationship is still in its early stages and continues to evolve.
“I think for now, you know, we’re getting to know each other,” said the 24-year-old in her post-match press conference.
“He’s giving me space to kind of figure it out in matches. You know, I have a clear vision of what to do.
“It’s just sometimes hard to do that. That wasn’t like a main thing today, I would say.”
Focus shifts to clay season
The Stuttgart Open marked Iga Swiatek’s first outing of the clay season, a surface where she has historically excelled. Despite the setback, her comments suggest a steady and patient approach toward building chemistry with Roig.
With major clay tournaments still ahead, the focus will now be on refining her game and translating that “clear vision” into consistent results on court.
While the loss to Mirra Andreeva may have halted her progress in Stuttgart, Swiatek’s measured response highlights a long-term perspective.
The partnership with Roig remains a work in progress, but early signs indicate a collaborative approach aimed at unlocking her best form.
As the clay season unfolds, all eyes will be on how this new coaching dynamic shapes her performances on the WTA Tour.