The professional tennis circuit is seeing a significant coaching reshuffle as Iga Swiatek enters a “new chapter” of her career, a move that has left other rising stars searching for new guidance. The world No. 4 has officially hired Francisco Roig, a longtime coach of Rafael Nadal, to lead her team as she prepares for the clay court season.
While Swiatek views the appointment as a necessary reset, the hire has created a void for Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Roig, who had been working with the French powerhouse, has stepped away from that partnership to join Swiatek. In the wake of Roig’s departure, Mpetshi Perricard is reportedly turning to former world No. 4 Greg Rusedski to fill the coaching vacancy.
A Strategic Reset for Swiatek
The decision to bring Roig on board follows a period of volatility for Swiatek. After a shock opening-round loss at the Miami Open—her first first-round exit at a WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz tournament since 2021—the six-time Grand Slam champion announced her split from coach Wim Fissette.
Swiatek and Fissette had been partnered since October 2024, a tenure that included a victory at Wimbledon 2025 and titles in Seoul and Cincinnati. However, the partnership ended abruptly after Swiatek was upset by Magda Linette in Miami. Following that loss, Swiatek expressed deep disappointment in her performance, stating she felt unable to fulfill the expectations placed upon her and described herself as “a bit confused.”
To find her footing, Swiatek has relocated her training to the Rafa Nadal Academy, where she has begun working with Roig. Roig brings a prestigious resume to the team, having spent years as a cornerstone of Rafael Nadal’s success and more recently coaching players such as Matteo Berrettini and Emma Raducanu.
The Ripple Effect: Mpetshi Perricard and Rusedski
The movement of elite coaches often creates a domino effect across the tour. For Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Roig’s transition to Swiatek’s team represents a sudden loss of technical leadership. The French player is now navigating the transition by bringing Greg Rusedski into his camp.
Rusedski, known for his massive serve and aggressive baseline game during his playing career, offers a different tactical profile than Roig. For a player like Mpetshi Perricard, whose game relies heavily on power and precision, the addition of a former top-five player like Rusedski is a strategic attempt to maintain momentum despite the loss of Roig.
The Nadal Influence
The connection to Rafael Nadal extends beyond Roig’s hiring. Swiatek has long cited Nadal as her idol and a primary influence on her game. During a recent interview with Sport.pl, she described Nadal as the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) and a mentor she can turn to when facing professional hurdles.
When questioned about whether Nadal played a role in her search for a new coach, Swiatek remained guarded, stating, “I’d like to preserve that between us, given that he’s part of that story. I wouldn’t wish to put him in an awkward position.” Regardless of the behind-the-scenes details, the move to the Rafa Nadal Academy underscores her commitment to adopting the discipline and clay-court mastery associated with the Spaniard.
For global fans, this shift is more than just a personnel change; it is a tactical pivot. Swiatek is attempting to reclaim the dominance she once held on clay, a surface where she has historically been the benchmark for the WTA.
Road to Stuttgart
The new partnership between Swiatek and Roig will face its first major test shortly. Swiatek is scheduled to return to competitive action at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, a WTA 500 event that begins on April 13.
The Stuttgart event serves as a critical checkpoint for Swiatek. After a disappointing “Sunshine Swing” where she failed to advance past the quarterfinals in her last four tournaments, the Polish superstar needs a strong showing in Germany to signal that the “reset” is working.
As for Mpetshi Perricard, the focus remains on how quickly he can integrate Rusedski’s approach into his game to avoid a dip in form following the Roig split.
Next Checkpoint: Iga Swiatek begins competition at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart on April 13.
Do you think the move to the Rafa Nadal Academy will return Swiatek to her dominant form on clay? Let us know in the comments.
