Iga Świątek has begun a new chapter in her career after appointing Rafael Nadal’s former coach, Francisco Roig, to her team. The Pole is currently at the Rafa Nadal Academy, fine-tuning her game alongside Nadal and Roig ahead of the much-anticipated clay-court swing, a move that recently earned the approval of German legend Boris Becker.
Boris Becker Reacts to Iga Świątek Preparing for Clay Season With Rafael Nadal and Francisco Roig
Świątek has struggled to find rhythm in the 2026 season. The 24-year-old saw her campaigns at the Australian Open, Qatar Open, and BNP Paribas Open all conclude at the quarterfinal stage, underscoring a run that has fallen short of her usual standards.
Her campaign took a sharper downturn in the Miami Open, where she suffered a surprising second-round defeat to Magda Linette. In the midst of this inconsistent run, Świątek also made a significant change off the court, ending her partnership with her coach Wim Fissette, who had been part of her team since 2024 and guided her to her maiden Wimbledon title last season.
Following these developments, reports surfaced that Świątek linked up with Roig for a training block at the Rafa Nadal Academy, as the two sought to build an early understanding. The Pole had found the right fit with the 58-year-old, appointing him as her new coach on Thursday. The former world No. 1 has previously worked with Piotr Sierzputowski, Tomasz Wiktorowski, and, most recently, Fissette.
Świątek’s dominance on clay is firmly established, having claimed 4 of her 6 Grand Slam titles on the surface, and she now sets her sights on reasserting that authority this season. The Pole was recently spotted training at the Rafa Nadal Academy alongside Roig and 14-time French Open champion Nadal. Both Roig and Nadal were seen offering detailed inputs to refine her forehand, while Nadal also focused on sharpening her footwork.
Like many within the tennis fraternity, 6-time Grand Slam champion Becker also took note of Świątek’s practice clip. The German praised Nadal’s unparalleled pedigree on clay and backed Roig as a “good choice” for the Pole.
“Love Rafa, the best there ever was, certainly on clay! Also, respect Francisco Roig! I have met him many times and love talking tennis 🎾 with him! Good choice, IGA !!!” he wrote on X.
Love Rafa , the best there ever was certainly on clay !
Also respect Francisco Roig !
I have met him many times and love talking tennis 🎾 with him!
Good choice IGA !!! https://t.co/jTGLLZiAfP— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) April 2, 2026
MORE: Iga Świątek Seeks ‘Chemistry’ With Emma Raducanu’s Ex-Coach Roig After Nadal’s Reported Advice
Roig worked with Nadal for over 15 years, from 2005 to 2022. He later had brief stints with Matteo Berrettini until October 2024 and Emma Raducanu between August 2025 and January this year. Soon after parting ways with Raducanu, he was seen working with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard ahead of the BNP Paribas Open.
Świątek, who has fallen to the No. 4 spot in the WTA rankings, would now look to refine her game with Roig by her side. She would also look to improve her 12-6 win-loss record heading into the clay-court season.
