Sports · Tennis · 9 hrs ago
Swiatek faces questions over coaching partnership after China Open defeat
Iga Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion from Poland, lost to Elise Mertens at the China Open last week.
The defeat renewed questions about her partnership with coach Francisco Roig, whom she hired in April after splitting with Wim Fissette.
Swiatek won the Canadian Open in August and reached the Cincinnati Open semi-finals under Roig.
But 2026 is the first year since 2021 that she has not won a Grand Slam title.
Former world number four Greg Rusedski has raised questions about whether Roig and Swiatek’s long-term psychologist, Daria Abramowicz, are aligned.
Swiatek has not yet completed a full season with Roig.
The view presented is that she should give him another year to put his plans into practice before deciding whether the partnership is right.
Iga Swiatek’s China Open quarter-final defeat to Elise Mertens has renewed questions about her coaching partnership with Francisco Roig.
Swiatek hired Roig in April after splitting from Wim Fissette.
She won the Canadian Open in August and reached the Cincinnati Open semi-finals under Roig.
A Tennis Head article argues Swiatek should give Roig another season before deciding whether he is the right fit.
Former world number four Greg Rusedski raised questions about whether Roig and Swiatek’s psychologist, Daria Abramowicz, are on the same page.
- Who
- Iga Swiatek, her coach Francisco Roig, and former player Greg Rusedski.
- What
- Swiatek’s China Open defeat has prompted questions about her coaching partnership. The article argues she should keep working with Roig.
- When
- The defeat was at the China Open the week before the article was published on 12 October 2026.
- Where
- The China Open was held in Beijing, according to the article.
- Why
- Swiatek’s recent results, including her loss to Elise Mertens, have led to questions about whether Roig is the right fit.
Supporters of keeping Francisco Roig
Critics questioning the partnership
Future of the partnership
Supporters of keeping Francisco Roig
Swiatek should give Roig another season to implement changes.
Critics questioning the partnership
Rusedski questioned how long the partnership would continue and whether Roig and psychologist Daria Abramowicz were on the same page.
Recent results
Supporters of keeping Francisco Roig
The article points to Swiatek’s Canadian Open title and Cincinnati semi-final as signs of improvement.
Critics questioning the partnership
The article cites her China Open quarter-final loss to Mertens as a reason questions have re-emerged.
Swiatek hired Francisco Roig after splitting from Wim Fissette.
Swiatek won the Canadian Open under Roig.
Swiatek lost to Elise Mertens in the China Open quarter-finals.
- Coach
- Francisco Roig
- Hired
- April 2026
- China Open result
- Quarter-final loss to Elise Mertens
- Canadian Open
- Swiatek won the title in August
- Cincinnati Open
- Swiatek reached the semi-finals
What people are saying
Then in Beijing the way she lost to Mertens was painful.
I think there is a bit of a power dynamic between coach and psychologist going on and are they are on the same page?
Sources
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