Sports · Tennis · 1 day ago
Iga Swiatek loses China Open match as questions grow over coaching
Iga Swiatek lost to Elise Mertens at the China Open in Beijing.
Swiatek had beaten Mertens in their two previous meetings.
The defeat came after Swiatek let a 5-0 lead slip in the first set.
Francisco Roig has coached Swiatek since last April, but commentators have speculated that he could be dismissed.
There has been no confirmation that the coaching partnership will end.
Former player John McEnroe said he did not think coaching was the problem and advised giving the partnership time.
Swiatek’s form also raises questions about whether she will qualify for the season-ending WTA Finals.
Iga Swiatek lost to Elise Mertens at the China Open after surrendering a 5-0 lead in the first set.
The defeat has intensified questions about Swiatek’s form and her coaching arrangement with Francisco Roig.
Tennis365 suggested Roig could be dismissed, citing what it described as frosty exchanges between Swiatek and her team.
Tennis analyst John McEnroe said coaching was not the problem in this match and advised giving the partnership time.
Swiatek’s next steps are uncertain, and Tennis365 said she may not qualify for the WTA Finals.
- Who
- Iga Swiatek and Elise Mertens. Swiatek’s coach, Francisco Roig, is also at the centre of questions about her coaching.
- What
- Swiatek lost to Mertens at the China Open, prompting scrutiny of her form and coaching arrangement.
- When
- The articles were published on October 10, 2026. The match date is not stated.
- Where
- The China Open in Beijing.
- Why
- Swiatek’s loss and apparent tension with her team prompted questions about her coaching. McEnroe said coaching was not the problem in this match.
Tennis365's coaching concerns
John McEnroe's view
Coaching and Swiatek's results
Tennis365's coaching concerns
Tennis365 suggested Roig may be sacked and said the exchanges between Swiatek and her team appeared frosty.
John McEnroe's view
McEnroe said coaching was not the problem in this match and advised giving the partnership time.
It’s inexplicable what happened with Swiatek
For me, I don’t think that you keep changing coaches is the best thing for anyone, really.
I don’t even know what she’s thinking right now, but the coaching was not the problem in this particular case.
Francisco Roig teamed up with Swiatek.
Swiatek surrendered a 5-0 first-set lead against Zheng Qinwen and lost.
Swiatek lost to Elise Mertens.
- Opponent
- Elise Mertens
- Tournament
- China Open
- Coach
- Francisco Roig
- Swiatek's Grand Slam titles
- Six
- Prior US Open lead
- 5-0 in the first set
Sources
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