Danielle Collins Warns WTA Rivals After Iga Swiatek’s Rafael Nadal Training Session and New Coaching Partnership: “Going to Be Scary”

After months of suffering on the tour, Iga Swiatek turned to Rafael Nadal to seek his wisdom. She trained at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, and soon, the rumors of Nadal helping her find a new coach came true when Swiatek announced that Francisco Roig would be guiding her now.

Roig had worked with Nadal for 18 years. He joined the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s team before he won a Major title (in 2005), and their partnership ended after the 2022 season.

Before hiring the 58-year-old, Swiatek worked with Belgian coach Wim Fissette, under whom she lifted last year’s Wimbledon. Reacting to the new coaching partnership, Danielle Collins, who has yet to compete on the tour this year, has warned everyone on the tour to be wary of the six-time Grand Slam champion.

Yeah, and I think when you’ve had the success that Iga Swiatek has had, especially at a young age, and all the Grand Slams, all of the impressive feats on her resume, the only person that you can work with at this point is somebody that’s been at the highest, highest, highest level because you’ve been at that level. So it’s going to be scary for everybody on tour to see what’s next for Iga Swiatek with this new coaching partnership.

Danielle Collins said on Tennis Channel

Swiatek, considered the best clay-court player on the WTA Tour at present, failed to reach a final on the surface last year, including at Roland Garros, where she is a four-time champion, and also completed a three-peat (from 2022 to 2024). The last time she won a title on the surface was at the 2024 Roland Garros by defeating Jasmine Paolini.

Roig previously worked with Emma Raducanu, but the partnership did not last long. It was he who wanted to part ways. Then Roig joined Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard‘s team, and as per the Frenchman, the coach left him for Swiatek without even informing him. Perricard, whose agent informed him about the split, criticized Roig for his decision, saying, it took him a “good half-day to process it“.

Greg Rusedski on Iga Swiatek’s partnership with Francisco Roig

During his Off Court with Greg podcast, former ATP player Greg Rusedski gave his take on Iga Swiatek‘s decision to hire Francisco Roig. The 1997 US Open finalist said Swiatek hiring the Spanish coach fits the mold because Roig worked with someone (Rafael Nadal) who was a No.1 player and also won Grand Slam titles.

Because Iga’s a [former] World No. 1, when the agent goes out and looks for somebody: ‘Have you been with another No 1 player? Have you won a Slam?’ And that’s where Francisco fits the mold because the fact that he was with Rafa when he won majors. He’s been in the industry a long time. And that’s what Iga’s brief is to her agent: if you haven’t worked with a No 1, or haven’t coached a player to No 1 or a Slam win, she’s not even having a look at the moment.

Swiatek will be starting her campaign on clay at the Stuttgart Open, where she is a two-time champion. She won the title in 2022 and defended it the following season, defeating World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka both times. In last year’s Stuttgart Open, the 24-year-old suffered a quarterfinal defeat at the hands of eventual champion Jelena Ostapenko.

So far this season, the Pole has played three quarterfinals (Australian Open, Qatar Open, and Indian Wells). At the Miami Open, she suffered a shock opening-round exit, losing to countrywoman Magda Linette. The only title she has won this year is the United Cup with Poland back in January.

Also read: Former British No.1 Throws Major Seeding Warning to Novak Djokovic Ahead of Roland Garros

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