Iga Swiatek Implements Drastic Service Motion Overhaul Under Guidance Of Rafael Nadal’s Former Coach In Madrid

Iga Swiatek reveals a "drastic change" to her serve at the 2026 Madrid Open following training sessions with Rafael Nadal and coach Francisco Roig.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 3:45 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

A Dominant Opening In The Spanish Capital

The Madrid Open witnessed a return to form for Iga Swiatek as she cruised through her second-round match with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Ukrainian qualifier Daria Snigur. Competing at the Caja Magica, the Polish star appeared physically sharp and tactically superior to her 98th-ranked opponent. This victory marks a vital step in Swiatek’s pursuit of a second Madrid title, following her previous triumph in 2024, and serves as a statement of intent after a quarter-final exit in Stuttgart last week.

The Evolution Of The Service Motion

Beyond the scoreline, the primary focus of Swiatek’s performance was a visible change in her service motion. The 24-year-old explained that she is currently in the middle of a "drastic change" involving the position of her elbow. By keeping her arm more bent during the delivery, she aims to break a long-standing habit where her hand would instinctively return to a less effective position. According to Swiatek, this technical reset is something her team has wanted to achieve for a significant amount of time to improve her consistency.

Collaborating With The Nadal Coaching Tree

The technical shift follows Swiatek’s recent decision to hire Francisco Roig, a coach who spent years as a core member of Rafael Nadal’s team. Prior to the clay-court season, Swiatek spent a week training at Nadal’s academy in Mallorca to embed these new movements. She admitted that while she attempted to use the new motion in Stuttgart, it was not yet automatic. However, her performance in Madrid felt like a significant step forward in her body’s ability to remember and execute the refined movement under match pressure.