Iga Świątek Embraces Challenges at French Open

Paris – Iga Świątek is experiencing a week of favorable circumstances at the French Open. She is back on her favorite red clay courts, where her topspin forehand thrives under the warm sun and heat. This element of nature has aligned with fortune, providing Świątek with a favorable draw.

Avoiding a difficult third-round matchup against Jelena Ostapenko, Świątek saw Latvian Ostapenko defeated by Magda Linette, her teammate from Poland. Additionally, Elena Rybakina, a No. 2 seed, was upset in the second round, allowing Mirra Andreeva, seed No. 8, to emerge as Świątek’s potential semifinal challenger.

Świątek’s inner clarity and balance have become evident, contrasting with a previous phase of feeling lost. Joined by her new coach, Francisco Roig, Świątek progresses to the fourth round and faces Marta Kostyuk, a No. 15 seed, against whom she boasts a 3-0 record.

“I feel like the decision-making has been better, and that’s an improvement,” Świątek shared on Friday.

Earlier in the year, Świątek encountered tricky matches during WTA 1000 events, including Indian Wells and the Miami Open. She lost her world No. 2 rank after a quarterfinal exit at Indian Wells and suffered a second-round loss to Linette in Miami, breaking a 73-match winning streak.

This challenging period led Świątek to acknowledge the complexity of tennis in her mind. Her victories were distinguished by a seamless balance between offense and defense. However, she faced instances of indecision, resulting in over-hitting shots.

Świątek struggled to integrate two playing styles: the direct, assertive approach advised by Tomasz Wiktorowski, contributing to her four Grand Slam titles, and the patient, variety-rich style from Wim Fisette, reintroduced toward the end of 2024.

Her achievements in the 2025 Australian Open semifinals and Wimbledon were interspersed with similar losses. Świątek fired Fisette after her loss to Linette, expressing her aspiration to become a formidable force on the court.

Świątek subsequently sought guidance from Spain, training at Rafael Nadal’s academy in Mallorca. Roig, Nadal’s former coach, joined her team, offering a positive influence with his humor and adaptability. They shared engaging experiences, including golf at the Madrid Open.

Roig’s method incorporated longer rallies in practice, boosting Świątek’s decision-making confidence. Her footwork also received adjustment, emphasizing balance and stability.

As Świątek adapted, she achieved a straight-set win against Sara Bejlek at the French Open, though it wasn’t faultless. She encountered moments of indecision attributed to multiple attacking opportunities.

“I wanted to be flexible and adjust and play my game,” Świątek expressed. “Sometimes mistakes happened, but in important moments, I was focused and patient enough to play solid.”

Her strategic approach paid off against Linette in the third round, leading Świątek to a 6-4, 6-4 victory. Although not flawless, Świątek maintained control.

Ahead of facing Kostyuk in cooler conditions, Świątek plans to adjust accordingly. Her current confidence suggests an ability to extend her favorable circumstances into the coming week.