Swiatek\u2019s Early 2026 Season<\/p>\n
The 2026 season started out in a somewhat rough place for Swiatek. Even though the Polish team ultimately won their first United Cup title, she did not help by losing her opening singles match against Belinda Bencic. At the Australian Open, she did somewhat better but lost to eventual champion Rybakina in straight sets (7-5, 6-1).<\/p>\n
After this upset, Swiatek also only made it to the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open and then decided to withdraw from the Dubai Tennis Championship. At the Miami Open a few months later, the Polish player ended a 73-opening-match-win streak when Magda Linette defeated her in a three-set showdown (1-6, 7-5, 6-3).<\/p>\n
A Mid-Season Coaching Change<\/p>\n
After the shocking opening-round exit at the Miami Open, Swiatek decided to part ways with Wim Fissette, her head coach of the past two years. When commenting on the split, the Polish player said, \u201cI feel disappointment, bitterness and responsibility for my performance on the court of course \u2026 That being said, after many months of working together with my coach Wim Fissette, I’ve decided to take a different path.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the weeks following that decision, Swiatek consulted with legendary Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal at his academy about how to make the most of the remaining season. She chose to appoint Francisco Roig, the tennis coach who helped bring Nadal to 22 Grand Slam titles during his illustrious career.<\/p>\n
Rare Win in Toronto<\/p>\n
Swiatek\u2019s one singles title win of the 2026 season so far has come at the National Bank Open. She was fresh off a surprise third-round Wimbledon defeat by rising Filipina star Alex Eala<\/a>, but that did not stop the Polish player from winning her first two matches in straight sets.<\/p>\n The real test for Swiatek came when she faced Rybakina in the final. The Kazakhstani player was having a pretty phenomenal year and already had a Grand Slam title under her belt. However, Swiatek won her 26th career title in straight sets (6-2, 6-3).<\/p>\n Surprise US Open Exit<\/p>\n After a Canadian Open title and a semifinal defeat by Jessica Pegula in Cincinnati, Swiatek was a bit of a wildcard walking into Flushing Meadows. Nevertheless, she defeated Xiy Wang 6-2, 6-3 in the first round and then took down Nadia Podoroska also in two sets (6-3, 6-2).\u00a0<\/p>\n Swiatek had a tough battle in the third round against Marie Bouzkova but narrowly won after both sets went to tiebreak games and each ended 7-3. In the fourth round, the Polish player faced the rejuvenated Qinwen Zheng<\/a>, and she seemed to be making quick progress. After taking a 5-0 lead, Swiatek lost the next seven straight games and lost the second set 6-3 for an early exit.<\/p>\n The Rest of the Season<\/p>\n Swiatek\u2019s 2026 season has only the Wuhan Open left, and she must find success there if she wants to secure her place at the WTA Finals. In an interview with Radio Zet, Roag sounded optimistic, saying, \u201cAbove all, she made fewer mistakes [in recent tournaments]. But Iga is Iga. She has to try.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHer forehand had a better shape,\u201d he continued, \u201cand she played better angles on her backhand \u2026 We still need to improve all of these things, and many more, but that\u2019s the foundation.\u201d However, Roag\u2019s comments were made before Swiatek was eliminated by Elise Mertens at the China Open quarterfinal. It will be decided next week how the Polish player\u2019s season ends.<\/p>\n
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