Iga Świątek’s Ascending Form on Clay Courts

PARIS – A favorable spell surrounds Iga Świątek as she returns to the red clay of Paris. The four-time French Open champion is thriving under sunny skies. The heat amplifies Świątek’s topspin, a key asset in her gameplay. Her journey this week, however, has been eased by unexpected turns. Jelena Ostapenko, a challenging opponent for Świątek, was ousted by Magda Linette. This allowed Świątek to progress further without facing her nemesis in the third round.

Another blow to potential opposition came when No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina was upset by Yulia Starodubtseva in the second round. This opens Świątek’s path significantly, altering potential matchups ahead. Świątek is now slated to face No. 8 seed Mirra Andreeva rather than higher-ranked opponents.

Świątek began 2025 with some setbacks but now feels clear-headed with the presence of a new coach, Francisco Roig. Her tennis is flourishing at this Grand Slam with Roig, who joined two months ago. In the fourth round, she will face No. 15 seed Marta Kostyuk, a player Świątek has bested each time in their three encounters.

Reflecting on her form, Świątek observed her decision-making progress, stating she feels improvements since recent competition in the United States. Earlier in the season, Świątek struggled during WTA tournaments at Indian Wells, California, and the Miami Open. These tournaments saw her lose the No. 2 ranking to Rybakina and endure a surprising exit in Miami against compatriot Linette.

Prior to March, Świątek described her game as ‘complicated’ in her mind, highlighting issues of overhitting and indecision. She encountered a crossroad with two different playing styles. On one hand, a direct, aggressive game plan from Tomasz Wiktorowski. On the other, a patient and varied style introduced by Wim Fisette in 2024.

Though Świątek reached the Australian Open semifinals in 2025 and won Wimbledon that summer, her form fluctuated. The burdened serve demanded grit in rallies, adding pressure on her baseline game. The March defeat to Linette initiated changes, leading to her partnership with Roig, who instilled renewed confidence and strategic adjustments.

Roig’s connection to Rafael Nadal offers both inspiration and tactical insights to Świątek. His coaching embraces long rallies and strategic planning, enhancing Świątek’s confidence in decision-making. The focus on stable footwork and staying upright has been critical to her enhanced agility on the court.

Iga Świątek said of her evolving play, “Now I feel more solid, capable of returning each ball, without rushing decisions.”

Her adaptability was showcased in a straight-sets win against Sara Bejlek, despite many unforced errors. Świątek showed resilience, acknowledging her role in controlling the pace of the game as vital. Against Linette in the third round, she confirmed progress with a determined 6-4, 6-4 win.

Świątek recognized intuition as a challenge during the hard court season but credits Roig’s focus on methodical play. Her growing confidence assures Świątek she need not rush but instead manage her rallies effectively.

With weather conditions cooling, Świątek foresees advantages in hitting more freely. She remains mindful, though, of nuances each match may bring. Confidence and clarity mark her readiness to capitalize on these valuable clay-court weeks.