Iga Swiatek’s latest game change raises eyebrows

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Swiatek’s new coach, Roig, begins an overhaul with a service change

Francisco Roig, Iga Swiatek’s new coach, has quickly moved to make adjustments he believes will benefit the six-time major winner.

Earlier this month, Swiatek brought in Roig following her decision to part ways with Wim Fissette, whom she had been working with for 18 months.

The decision followed a difficult spell on the WTA Tour, capped by a first-round defeat at the Miami Open. Roig was seen in Swiatek’s player box during the Stuttgart Open, where she went out in the quarterfinals.

The Spaniard has overhauled the Pole’s service motion entirely. Former British player Naomi Broady broke down some of the changes on Sky Sports.

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Naomi Broady shares thoughts on Iga Swiatek’s redesigned service motion

Speaking to Sky Sports, Broady said: “It was always a very stiff right arm. [Before], her racquet arm is almost completely straight as she takes it back, compared to this week, it’s bent almost to a right angle, like so many other players.

“I think so much of it is coming from trying to keep her wrist loose, you know, when your arm is straight, it’s very difficult to then have a loosey goosey wrist at the end to snap over the top of the ball or to brush up the back of it if you’re trying to hit spin.

“So the bent arm is supposed to be to get the height at the back with the arm for that sort of trophy tick position, but then also the importance is the looseness of the wrist. So, yeah, that’s the big key that we’re looking out for.”

She added: “It’s interesting that Swiatek felt it was the serve that needed the eyeballs because I don’t know if it’s something that I would have picked out of her game as a huge hole. It’s quite a big technical adjustment to happen mid-season.”