Iga Swiatek is navigating a challenging clay court season as she aims to reclaim her titles. With Francisco Roig, formerly Rafael Nadal’s coach, now working with her, Swiatek is learning to manage the expectations that come with dominating on this surface.
Swiatek’s Uneven Performance in Rome
In Rome, Swiatek’s match against Caty McNally was a display of both her potential and her current struggles. Swiatek started strong, breaking McNally early and securing the first set 6-1, before building a 3-1 lead in the second. This mirrored the Swiatek who previously dominated opponents with intensity and a barrage of winners, holding a 21-3 record at the event with three titles.
However, the match became complicated as Swiatek’s form wavered. Her groundstrokes became erratic, and she struggled to convert break points, even double faulting at a critical juncture, eventually losing the second set.
The see-saw battle continued into the third set, with Swiatek again taking a 3-1 lead only to see McNally level the score. Ultimately, Swiatek regained her consistency and secured the win. “I’m happy at the end of the match I was solid and I used the right balls to attack, but was also patient enough to stay in the rally,” Swiatek said after her 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-3 second-round win.
McNally’s History Against Swiatek
McNally has proven to be a difficult opponent for Swiatek. McNally beat her in the Roland Garros girls’ event years ago and was the only player to take a set from her last year at Wimbledon. McNally’s confidence was evident in her aggressive play against Swiatek.
The Quest to Reclaim Clay Court Dominance
Swiatek is trying to recapture her past dominance on clay. From 2022 to 2024, she drew comparisons to Rafael Nadal on this surface. In 2025, she surrendered her clay court titles in Madrid, Rome, and Paris, along with her No. 1 ranking.
After losing those titles, Swiatek shifted her focus to improving her game on grass, a surface where she had previously struggled. This approach led to an unexpected victory at Wimbledon. The question now is whether Swiatek can apply the same mindset to her clay court matches in 2026, reducing the pressure she feels on a surface where she once had high expectations.
Swiatek lost to Mirra Andreeva in Stuttgart, experienced illness in Madrid, and had an unsteady performance against McNally. Francisco Roig, with his experience coaching Nadal, may be the right person to help Swiatek navigate these challenges.