Iga Świątek has struggled to locate her best form at the start of this year.
After an excellent 2025 campaign – during which she won her first Wimbledon title – Swiatek has suffered several early exits at WTA events.
This led to Swiatek parting ways with coach Wim Fissette and hiring Francisco Roig in his place.
Are you worried about Iga Swiatek ahead of the French Open?
She retired from her third-round match in Madrid…
Swiatek’s results have improved little since hiring the Spaniard – and she was unfortunate to suffer from illness during her recent third-round loss at the Madrid Open.
John Isner is not worried about Iga Swiatek’s Roland Garros chances
Despite her recent results, John Isner isn’t ready to sound the alarm when it comes to Iga Swiatek.
Speaking on the Nothing Major Show, Isner said: “I am not panicking with her. I just think that her level and most likely to her early round opponents at Roland Garros, there is a big difference there.
“If she can get off to a good start and win a couple of matches, maybe she can get through a tough match early, she can start to feel more comfortable and a place where she is extremely comfortable.
“So, no, I am not going to pin her hopes at Roland Garros all on her Rome result.
Iga Swiatek’s 2026 clay-court results
- Stuttgart Open – lost in the quarter-finals to Mirra Andreeva
- Madrid Open – lost in the third round to Ann Li
- Italian Open: ?
“Of course she would like to do well there, but I think even with an early loss in Rome she could get things together and get it going.”
Conversely, Steve Johnson has expressed concern regarding Swiatek’s recent performances, claiming that he will be ‘panicking’ if Swiatek does not reach the Italian Open quarter-finals later this month.
“I am panicking,” Johnson said. “She needs a good result. She hasn’t had one.
Do you think Mirra Andreeva is more likely to win the French Open than Iga Swiatek?
Mirra Andreeva is into the Madrid Open final…
“We had that one clip or picture of Rafa helping her at his academy. It is panic time if she doesn’t make the quarters. She needs to get some mojo going before the French.
“I know it’s crazy to say but she has not made a semi [this year].”
Iga Swiatek’s Italian Open draw
Iga Świątek, the fourth seed in Rome, has received a bye through to the second round.
There, she will play Caty McNally or Daria Kasatkina in the Italian Open second round.
If the Polish superstar were to advance further, she would likely play 28th seed Emma Navarro or Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the third round.
At this year’s Italian Open, Swiatek has the opportunity to boost her ranking ahead of Roland Garros.
Swiatek is only defending 65 points at this year’s event, having been upset by Danielle Collins in the third round of the 2025 event.
Consequently, Swiatek could earn up to 935 extra WTA ranking points at the 2026 Italian Open.