Swiatek Returns at Stuttgart with New Coach Roig

Iga Swiatek returns to competition at the Stuttgart Open this week, marking the start of her claycourt season with new coach Francisco Roig by her side following a midseason shake-up to her team.

The world number four, a six-time Grand Slam champion, parted ways with previous coach Wim Fissette after a challenging hardcourt swing in 2026. She exited the Australian Open in the quarterfinals, followed by early defeats in Doha and Indian Wells, and a second-round loss to compatriot Magda Linette in Miami. Seeking a fresh approach, Swiatek turned to Roig, a veteran coach who guided Rafael Nadal from 2005 to 2022 and more recently worked with Emma Raducanu. The pair began collaborating at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Manacor, Mallorca, where Swiatek also received brief input from the retired Spaniard himself.

Swiatek described the transition as a deliberate step to address inconsistencies in her game. "I'm really happy to start with Francis," she said during a press conference in Stuttgart. "I was basically looking for someone with a good eye, really technical, but also a person that is experienced enough to help me through some different kind of situations." Their early sessions...