Iga Świątek has ignited a debate about what her performance at the 2026 Italian Open might mean for her prospects at the upcoming French Open. With the clay-court Major around the corner, former American players Sam Querrey, John Isner, and Steve Johnson argued about just how crucial her result at the WTA 1000 event in Rome might be for her future.
Why Sam Querrey, Steve Johnson, and John Isner Are Debating Iga Świątek’s Italian Open Fate
After Iga Świątek struck up a new coaching partnership with Francisco Roig and trained with Rafael Nadal at his academy before the European clay swing, there were high expectations about the Pole turning her season around on her favorite surface. However, she lost to Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix and was forced to retire mid-match at the Madrid Open due to illness, putting a dampener on the high hopes.
As she gears up for her campaign at the Italian Open, Sam Querrey, Steve Johnson, and John Isner debated whether it is time to sound the alarm for the world No. 3. During a recent episode of their “Nothing Major” podcast, Querrey said he would panic about Świątek’s French Open chances if she fails to reach the quarterfinals in Rome, while acknowledging that tennis analyst Steve Weissman holds the opposite view.
“If Iga Świątek doesn’t make a quarterfinal or better, are you panicking? I’m going to panic. Weissman, you already answered and said you’re not going to panic. She’s won so many times that it doesn’t matter how she does going in. Isner, if Iga doesn’t quarter, are you panicking?” Querrey questioned.
MORE: Coco Gauff Embraces ‘Euro Summer’ in Style, Iga Świątek Shows Off Pre-Italian Open Exploits
Isner also disagreed, emphasizing that the Pole’s hopes at Roland Garros aren’t solely dependent on her Italian Open run.
“No, I’m not panicking with her because I think that her level and most likely her early round opponents at RG, there’s a big difference there. If she can get off to a good start, win her first two matches, maybe she can get through a tough match early, she can start to feel more comfortable at a place that she is extremely comfortable at. So no, I’m not going to pin her hopes at RG all on her Rome result,” Isner argued. “Yes, she would like to do well there, of course, but I think even with an early loss in Rome, she can get things together and get it cooking at RG.”
Johnson, however, aligned firmly with Querrey, insisting it is “panic time” for Świątek because she needs a strong showing to build confidence ahead of the clay-court Major.
“I’m surely panicking with you, pal. She needs a good result. She hasn’t had one. Like, just for her own confidence sake. I mean, we had that one clip or picture or whatever of Rafa helping her at his academy. Maybe the advice was for her to just play more golf because that’s what, you know, maybe that’s the only advice Rafa was giving her. But, it’s panic time, dude,” Johnson said. “If she doesn’t make like the quarters, like she needs to get some mojo going before the French. You want to have some confidence.”
Continuing the debate, Weissman highlighted the 24-year-old’s exceptional record at the French Open, saying, “Four titles does not lie.”
MORE: Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Świątek: Who Has the Tougher Italian Open Draw?
Iga Świątek has entered the Italian Open as the No. 4 seed, looking to win her fourth title at the WTA 1000 event. She will face Daria Kasatkina or Caty McNally in the second round, following a first-round bye. If she wins, the Pole could set up a third-round clash with No. 28 seed Emma Navarro.
