Iga Swiatek Hires Rafael Nadal’s Ex-Coach Francisco Roig Ahead of Stuttgart Open, French Open Bid

Swiatek banks on Nadal mentor

World number four Iga Swiatek begins her clay season at the Stuttgart Open with new coach Francisco Roig, Rafael Nadal’s long-time mentor. After early exits in Australia, Doha, Indian Wells, and Miami, the four-time French Open champion trained at Nadal’s Mallorca academy as she eyes a reset before Roland Garros.

Swiatek turns to Nadal’s former coach Roig to revive clay season after rocky start...

Iga Swiatek is counting on new coach Francisco Roig’s experience and technical knowledge to jumpstart her season as the world number four opens her clay campaign at the Stuttgart Open this week after a frustrating start to the year.

The six-time Grand Slam champion from Poland lost in the Australian Open quarter-finals and at tournaments in Doha and Indian Wells before suffering a surprise second-round loss to Magda Linette at the Miami Open last month.

That led Swiatek to split with coach Wim Fissette and bring in Roig, who coached her idol Rafa Nadal from 2005-22 and most recently worked with Briton Emma Raducanu.

“I'm really happy to start with Francis,” Swiatek told 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. I feel Francisco has lived through ⁠everything on tour.

“It's going really amazing ... I was able to find a new coach pretty fast, which is a positive thing because when you do that in the middle of the season, ‌it's nice to have some security in that.”

Swiatek, a four-time French Open champion on her preferred clay, kicked off preparations for the Grand Slam starting May 24th with a training block at Nadal’s academy in Mallorca under the Spaniard’s close watch.

👀 @iga_swiatek 🔥 pic.twitter.com/PY0xW7iFEJ

— Rafa Nadal Academy (@rnadalacademy) April 3, 2026

“I asked if it would be possible for him to come and maybe be some kind of inspiration, also hear ‌some feedback from him,” Swiatek said.

“It was a privilege to have him on court. I honestly didn't have ‌many expectations because I know he's super busy and he has a lot of stuff to do, even though he always has different projects and everything.

“Now I'll continue with Francisco. He'll be the person that ⁠takes care of the ⁠whole process. That's the ‌plan for now.”