Iga Swiatek hires longtime Nadal coach Francisco Roig, begins reset on clay

Iga Swiatek is ready for a “new chapter” with a new coach. After parting ways with Wim Fissette following her early exit at the Miami Open, she has hired longtime Rafael Nadal coach Francisco Roig.

Swiatek announced the news on social media on Thursday, sharing photos of herself training at the Rafa Nadal Academy. In the posts, she is seen posing alongside both Roig and Nadal and practicing on clay ahead of the European swing.

“Welcome to the team, Francisco!” she shared on Instagram story of the pair on a red clay practice court. “Very excited for this new chapter.”

Read More: "Confused" Iga Swiatek suffers first opening loss since 2021 WTA Finals with Miami defeat to Magda Linette

The move comes as Swiatek looks to reset after a disappointing start to the 2026 season by her high standards. She reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open (losing to eventual champion Elena Rybakina), as well as in Doha and Indian Wells, but is still searching for her first title of the year.

Her struggles peaked in Miami, where she was stunned in her opening match by 34-year-old Magda Linette despite leading by a set. The defeat marked her first opening-round loss on tour since 2021.

Afterward, the 24-year-old described the moment as her “worst nightmare” and hinted that changes were coming.

“I think I am a bit confused. There’s no way but forward,” Swiatek said in the mixed zone afterwards. “I’m gonna try to work hard to get back to that. I have it in me, I just lost it for a second, the game.

“Tennis feels complicated in my head. I know it’s supposed to be simple. In terms of my mentality and how I feel on the court, it’s going to take a while.”

A few days later, Swiatek confirmed she was parting ways with Fissette, whom she had hired in 2024. The Belgian coach, who has previously worked with Grand Slam champions including Kim Clijsters, Naomi Osaka and Victoria Azarenka, enjoyed significant success with Swiatek, including her first Wimbledon title last summer.

However, in 2026 she has yet to advance beyond the quarterfinal stage at any tournament.

Read More: Iga Swiatek announces split from coach Wim Fissette following Miami Open loss

“I’ve decided to take a different path,” Swiatek wrote last week. “It was an intense time full of challenges and many important experiences. I’m grateful for his support, experience, and everything we achieved together—including one of my biggest dreams in sport…

“The rest of my team remains unchanged. I know there are many questions, but I’ll let you know what’s next at the right time.”

Now, Swiatek heads into the clay-court season with Roig at her side. The surface has historically been her strongest, and she will be looking to regain momentum during the European swing. Currently ranked No. 4, she also has an opportunity to climb the rankings after reaching the semifinals in Madrid and at Roland Garros in 2025.

Roig, a Spanish coach and former player, is best known for his long tenure working with Nadal, serving as both an alternate and later lead coach from 2005 to 2022. He has since coached Matteo Berrettini, Emma Raducanu and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Swiatek is next scheduled to compete at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, which begins on April 13.