Iga Swiatek’s coach Francisco Roig has outlined clear expectations for the Polish star as she heads into the Asian swing, telling her she needs to cause discomfort to opponents rather than forcing winners on every point.
Speaking to Radio ZET, Roig said he wants to see a more measured version of Swiatek’s game after a mixed 2026 season.
“She is supposed to cause discomfort to her rival.”
— Francisco Roig
“I would like to see a player who just plays and doesn’t feel like she has to send winners,” Roig explained. “Sometimes I observe exchanges in which I get the impression that Iga makes a mistake earlier than the other player just because she takes too many risks and wants to play too fast.
“Sometimes it’s worth calming down and just playing the right shot. You don’t have to try to hurt your opponent at every point. You can cause her problems with the quality of the shot, not with the fact that everything is played very quickly. And that’s what we’re working on.”
Swiatek showed improved form during the North American hard-court swing. She claimed her first title of the season at the Canadian Open in Toronto, defeating Elena Rybakina 6-2, 6-3 in the final, and reached the semifinals in Cincinnati before a Round of 16 exit at the US Open against Qinwen Zheng.
Despite that late surge, Swiatek sits at No. 9 in the WTA rankings and remains outside the current qualification places for the WTA Finals. Roig confirmed that reaching the year-end event remains the team’s main target.
“It is certainly still very far away, but yes – this is our goal,” he said. “However, if we do not achieve it, the world will not collapse… if we do well in the two upcoming tournaments, we can still be dependent on the results achieved by our rivals.”
Swiatek is expected to begin the Asian swing at the China Open in Beijing, which starts on 30 September. The WTA 1000 event offers a significant points opportunity with limited ranking points to defend.
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Roig, who joined Swiatek’s team in April after previously working with Rafael Nadal, has focused on technical adjustments including the serve, movement and point construction. The message ahead of Beijing is clear: prioritise quality and consistency over pure aggression.
Roig wants Swiatek to make opponents uncomfortable through solid, high-quality tennis rather than forcing the issue on every ball.
The China Open and subsequent Wuhan Open represent Swiatek’s best remaining chances to climb the Race to the WTA Finals.
FAQ
What did Francisco Roig say about Iga Swiatek’s game?
Roig wants Swiatek to stop forcing winners and instead cause discomfort to opponents through higher-quality, more controlled shots. He said she sometimes makes errors by taking too many risks and playing too fast.
Is qualifying for the WTA Finals still Swiatek’s goal?
Yes. Roig confirmed it remains the main target, though he said missing it would not be the end of the world and would allow more preparation time for 2027.
When does the China Open start?
The China Open in Beijing begins on 30 September 2026.
What was Swiatek’s best result in the US swing?
She won the Canadian Open title in Toronto, defeating Elena Rybakina in the final.
