When Iga Swiatek arrived at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Manacor, she knew her clay season needed a complete reset. A 12-6 record since January, a drop to world number 4, and a split from coach Wim Fissette: the Polish star needed a fresh start. That fresh start has a name: Francisco Roig.
The Spaniard spent seventeen years alongside Rafael Nadal, from 2005 to 2022. He knows clay better than any active coach in the sport. When Swiatek reached out, the partnership felt natural: entrust her clay campaign to the man who helped build the greatest clay-court player in history.
Ten days in Mallorca sealed the deal. Swiatek trained at the Academy, where Roig analyzed her game, adjusted her point construction, and worked on patience in rallies. Nadal himself stopped by to hit some balls, offering tips and sharing stories about his own struggles and moments of doubt.
"It was probably the best practice weeks I had before a clay-court season," Swiatek said. "A crazy boost of motivation." She admitted feeling nervous training in front of her idol, but the experience left her galvanized.
Stuttgart served as the first test. A commanding 6-2, 6-3 win over Laura Siegemund in the second round was followed by a quarter-final loss to Mirra Andreeva. A mixed result, but the foundations Roig is building are beginning to take shape. Point construction, managing key moments, and more focused aggression: the areas of improvement are clear.
Madrid is the real exam. Swiatek has won three titles here between 2022 and 2024, and the Caja Mágica remains her comfort zone. But competition is fierce. has dominated the tour for months, arrives on a high after Stuttgart, and the young Andreeva keeps improving. To shine this week, Swiatek will need every ounce of the legacy that Roig can pass on.
