Iga Swiatek Denounces Harsh Polish Media Speculation Amid Strategic Coaching Transition to Francisco Roig

Tennis star Iga Swiatek clarifies her staff changes and hits back at Polish media criticism as she prepares for her debut with coach Francisco Roig.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 16, 2026, 3:49 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

The Strategic Shift to Francisco Roig

The world of professional tennis witnessed a significant tactical pivot as Iga Swiatek officially integrated Francisco Roig into her coaching setup following the Miami Open. This transition follows her recent separation from Wim Fissette, a move finalized in March after a period of inconsistent results on the tour. According to Swiatek, the selection of Roig was driven by a specific need for a coach with a sharp technical eye and the extensive experience required to navigate the complexities of the professional circuit. She characterized the recruitment as a rapid development that allowed for an immediate training period in Mallorca, providing a sense of security during a mid-season staff change.

Deflecting Domestic Media Pressure

During a press conference ahead of the Stuttgart Open, Swiatek addressed the pervasive speculation originating from the Polish media regarding the composition of her team. The athlete explicitly stated that her public confirmation of the team’s stability was intended to silence what she described as super harsh and chaotic reporting in her home country. While critics previously targeted her coach and psychologist during performance slumps in 2025, Swiatek utilized her recent media appearance to draw a firm boundary. She clarified that her decision to keep her staff intact was a calculated move to provide clarity for her fans and to end unfounded rumors about further dismissals.

The Enduring Role of Core Personnel

Despite the change at the helm of her coaching staff, the six-time major winner remains committed to her long-term collaborators, specifically sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz and physiologist Maciej Ryszczuk. Swiatek rejected the notion that her decision was based solely on sentiment or loyalty, instead framing it as a pragmatic assessment of what currently functions well within her professional environment. According to Swiatek, the work she performs with Abramowicz and Ryszczuk represents a proven process that she is unwilling to disrupt. This stability is viewed as essential by the 24-year-old, who noted that the relatively short lifespan of a professional sports career leaves no room for wasting time on unnecessary changes.