Iga Swiatek’s 2026 campaign on the WTA Tour has not gone according to plan.
After winning the United Cup alongside Hubert Hurkacz in January, Swiatek has struggled to recapture her best form, suffering multiple early exits at major WTA Tour events.
Swiatek’s woes came to a head in Miami, where she lost her opening match to compatriot Magda Linette.
Swiatek later described the situation as her ‘worst nightmare’, and has since split with coach Wim Fissette.
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Rennae Stubbs has now weighed in on Swiatek’s recent form, offering some tactical advice to the six-time Grand Slam champion.
Rennae Stubbs says Iga Swiatek is going for winners too early in rallies
“If I was coaching her and was on the court with her I would say stay with the same shot,” Stubbs said on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast. “You don’t need to change the direction of the ball that much.
“I think you should stop trying to hit the sidelines.
“Hit the ball big and rely on the relentless pressure you are putting on your opponent, to be able to say, you change direction, you move this ball somewhere else, I’m not going to.
“I am going to stay in this rally as long as I can, with the same intensity.
This year, Swiatek has suffered losses to Elina Svitolina, Belinda Bencic, Maria Sakkari, Elena Rybakina, Magda Linette and Coco Gauff.
While many of these losses are not egregious, these are all players whom Swiatek is more than capable of defeating.
Stubbs, a multiple-time Grand Slam doubles champion, has suggested where Swiatek can change her game in order to improve her form on the WTA Tour.
Do you think Iga Swiatek will win a Grand Slam this season?
“I don’t think the footwork is the problem. I think the problem is she is trying to pull the trigger and change direction way too early in my opinion.
“I think the middle of the court is your best friend when you are feeling a bit stressed and I don’t think she utilises that part of the court enough when under pressure.”
Swiatek is set to take a break following her disappointing Miami Open campaign.
The Pole is set to return for the Stuttgart Open, which begins on April 13.
Swiatek has also decided to withdraw from the Billie Jean King Cup – a decision praised by Rick Macci.
Iga Swiatek’s record at the Madrid Open
Iga Świątek has an impressive record at the Madrid Open, reaching at least the semi-final stage in three of her four tournament appearances.
| Year | Result | Opponent |
| 2021 | Round Three | Ashleigh Barty |
| 2023 | Runner-up | Aryna Sabalenka |
| 2024 | Champion | Aryna Sabalenka |
| 2025 | Semi-finals | Coco Gauff |
Swiatek made her debut at the event in 2021, reaching the third round before losing to world number one Ashleigh Barty.
After missing the 2022 event, Swiatek returned in 2023 and defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova and Veronika Kudermetova on her way to the final.
Swiatek lost the 2023 final to Aryna Sabalenka, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6.
A year later, Swiatek avenged her loss to Sabalenka, defeating the Belarusian 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 in the 2024 final.
Last year, Swiatek reached the semi-finals, before losing 1-6, 1-6 to Coco Gauff.
