Iga Swiatek has hailed the training methods of her latest coach after advancing to the quarter-finals of the Italian Open on Monday.
The former world No.1 is currently working with Francisco Roig, whom she officially announced as her new coach on April 2nd. Roig is the former long-time mentor of Rafael Nadal and has worked with various other players. These include Emma Eaducanu, Matteo Berrettini and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Since joining forces, Swiatek has produced modest results on the Tour. She reached the quarter-finals in Stuttgart before losing to Mirra Andreeva. Then, at the Madrid Open, she retired from her third round match against Ann Li due to illness. Currently playing in Rome, the Pole has dropped only four games in her last two matches against Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Naomi Osaka.
“I felt like I understood Francis from the beginning. I guess it also depends on the specific relationship you have with the coach,” Swiatek told the media when asked what she wants from a coach.
“But I think any player wants a coach with a good eye, a clear plan of what to do, and how to achieve that.
“Francis has a really nice touch in terms of adjusting the practice to what the player needs right now. Also, he’s aware of all the factors that are coming in.
“It all kind of clicks together, both physical, mental and technical parts in the practices. You know that he’s aware of all of these. It’s nice.”
Roig has managed to keep up with his coaching duties despite tearing his Achilles tendon during a practice session with Swiatek on a court in downtown Rome to promote the Italian Open. The injury occurred on match point during a volleying game the two were playing with a $120 bet on the line.
“He’s taking a buggy,” Swiatek said of how Roig is getting around the venue and to the practice courts. “That is really saving us because on the first day, we couldn’t get it and he had to go all the way to the practice courts. It was pretty tough.
“Every day, he’s walking better on crutches. He’s learning a new skill,” she added with a smile.
Swiatek is chasing after her first clay court title since winning the 2024 French Open and has yet to contest a Tour final this year on any surface. It will not be an easy task in Rome, with her next match being against Jessica Pegula. Should she win, a possible showdown with Elena Rybakina could be next.
“Jess is always a tough opponent,” she said.
“She is already super experienced and calm, playing in a solid way. I will need to be ready, watch her games on the clay court, ’cause I think it’s been a while since we played on clay.”
Swiatek leads Pegula 6-5 in their head-to-head but has lost their two most recent meetings.
