The 22-time Grand Slam champion was spotted at his academy in Mallorca, offering hands-on guidance as the Polish star prepares for the European clay-court swing. Nadal focused his mentorship on Swiatek’s positioning and return game exit areas, after he defended Carlos Alcaraz on his unexpected Miami Open, that have recently unraveled during critical match moments.

While Swiatek just announced the hiring of former Nadal coach Francisco Roig to her full-time camp, the “King of Clay” himself took a proactive role on the practice court, refining her footwork and tactical approach.

Viral footage of the session captured the two in animated conversation between points. For Swiatek, who has frequently cited Nadal as her childhood inspiration, the session was as much a “dream come true” as it was a necessary tactical overhaul.

Inside the Miami collapse: What went wrong?

he 2026 Miami Open was a tournament to forget for the former World No. 1. After dominating early rounds throughout her career, Swiatek’s second-round exit to fellow Pole Magda Linette sent shockwaves through the WTA.

There are three glaring issues in her Florida performance:

• In her 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 loss to Linette, Swiatek’s second serve became a primary target, winning just 58% of points in the final two sets.
• Swiatek finished the match with 38 unforced errors, a uncharacteristic total that spiked during her third-set collapse.
• Coming off a grueling quarterfinal exit at Indian Wells—a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 loss to Elina Svitolina—Swiatek appeared physically and mentally drained, lacking the “clutch” gene that defined her previous dominant runs.

The road back to No. 1

Currently ranked World No. 4—trailing Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, and Coco Gauff—Swiatek is in the midst of her most challenging stretch in years. She has yet to advance past a quarterfinal in four tournament appearances this season, sporting a 9-4 record overall.

With the clay season looming—a surface where she and Nadal have both built their legacies—Swiatek is betting that a “Spanish reset” and the Roig-Nadal influence will provide the spark needed to reclaim the top spot.

In a press conference ahead of his Shanghai Masters debut against Marin Cilic, Djokovic noted that he believes there is a lack of unity among players. He argued that while many complain about the same issue, few invest their time and energy into finding real solutions.

“As a player and someone that has been playing on the highest level for more than 20 years, I can say that the players are not united enough. Players are not participating enough when they should be. So they make the comments and they complain, and then they go away. And then if something is wrong, after a certain amount of time they come back again,” Djokovic noted.

He went on to emphasize that players themselves — not their teams, agents, or families — need to dedicate time to understanding how the system works in order to propose improvements.

“But you have to invest the time, you have to invest energy yourself, not your agent, not your team, not your parents, not anybody, yourself, to dedicate yourself to understand how the system works, to understand what are the things that can be done to be reversed, to be improved in terms of the players’ interest,” he continued.

Finally, the Serbian aimed a thinly veiled comment at the ATP and WTA’s top stars, stressing that they, in particular, should be more involved in shaping solutions. Still, Djokovic admitted from personal experience that change is unlikely, no matter the effort.

“For that to happen, you need the top players particularly, you know, to sit down, roll up their sleeves, and really care a bit more about participating in understanding all of the hot topics, I would say. Because going out in the media and talking about this and that, okay, it might stir up some energy or some attention. But in the end of the day, it’s not going to change, nothing is going to change, you know? I know it from my personal experience, trust me. So, yeah, it’s quite a complex topic,” Djokovic concluded.

Zheng Qinwen pushes back on Swiatek’s criticism of the schedule

World No.9 Zheng Qinwen, who was forced to withdraw from her China Open round of 32 match against Linda Noskova due to injury, voiced her disagreement with Iga Swiatek’s complaints about the demanding tennis calendar.

For the Chinese star, the tough schedule is simply part of the sport and something every professional must accept. Qinwen even made a bold statement, suggesting that the calendar isn’t overly demanding because only the strongest players can endure it.

“I mean, this is part of the game. As a professional player, this is what it is because we have to play that many tournaments since it’s on the calendar,” said the 22-year-old in her press conference. But I don’t think for professional players the calendar is too much because the strongest players survive, and that’s the rule in my head,” Qinwen stated.

In the wake of her victory over the American tennis sensation, Sabalenka appeared on a podcast to discuss the current toughest competitors she faces on the WTA circuit. She candidly identified Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek as her most formidable opponents to date.

“They have incredible movement. Sometimes you build a point, and with others, that shot might have been a winner, but against them, you often have to rework the point. Physically and mentally, it’s quite challenging,” Sabalenka explained regarding the world No. 2 and No. 3 in her appearance on Jay Shetty’s Podcast.

Gauff and Swiatek have been dominating headlines in the tennis world, and Sabalenka was forthright in her assessment of these two extraordinary players. Both have clinched at least one Grand Slam in recent years, delivering outstanding performances that have solidified their status among the world’s best.

Sabalenka’s inspirational message

During her appearance on the podcast, Sabalenka delivered a heartfelt message to those outside the realm of tennis, asserting her belief in being an inspiration. Sabalenka emphasized the importance of pursuing one’s passions, encouraging people to think about what they love and follow it wholeheartedly.

“People need to find something they love because when you love something, that’s what drives you to go and accomplish the things you need to do. And then you do better and improve, it’s pretty important,” Sabalenka shared with Jay Shetty on his podcast.

Sabalenka’s dedication after US Open triumph

Upon her victory at the US Open, the world number one chose to dedicate her triumph to a very special person who is no longer with her: her father. “When my dad passed away, I felt depressed. But I decided to use it as motivation to make our family name memorable in history. He became my strength,” Sabalenka said.

Now, as the WTA circuit progresses, Sabalenka aims to maintain her top spot in the global rankings, a position she has held for most of 2023. Despite the remarkable performances from competitors like Gauff and Swiatek, Sabalenka is determined to continue inspiring others through her dedication and success.

In their encounter, Anisimova displayed remarkable confidence, overshadowing the Polish sensation with her superior play. Securing the match 6-4, 6-3, Anisimova proved that her Wimbledon finals stumble was merely an off day.

Despite showcasing her ability to compete against the world’s elite female tennis players, Anisimova chose to reflect on her personal challenges, highlighting the times she opted out of play due to various issues. She addressed these struggles with the media after her victory.

“I’m living my dreams and I’m at a very good point in my life. I’m happy every day, which wasn’t the case a couple of years ago. I was going through a lot, and every day was a mess. Looking back, it’s not the most important thing to me. At the end of the day, it’s just a tennis match,“ Anisimova shared with reporters.

Swiatek’s interaction with a reporter

Following the match, Swiatek faced the media at a press conference. A question regarding her mental state post-defeat stirred unease. Swiatek, maintaining composure, offered a measured response.

A reporter asked, “Do you think you need a mental break after losing today?” The Polish star, with a serious demeanor, paused before replying, “I don’t know, I don’t think that my mind was exhausted playing on the court, why would you say that?”

The reporter persisted, commenting, “It looks like you were down the road.” Swiatek countered, “Talk to the people responsible for the schedule. Do you need a mental break?” This exchange highlighted Swiatek’s resilience and unwillingness to falter despite setbacks.

Anisimova’s historic achievement

Having reached the US Open semifinals, Anisimova joins an elite group of American women who have advanced to a Grand Slam semifinal on all three surfaces. The only other players to accomplish this feat are Serena and Venus Williams.

After dispatching Brazilian competitor Beatriz Haddad Maia in the previous round, Anisimova addressed her upcoming encounter with Swiatek at the US Open with candor. “Who would’ve thought we’d meet again so soon? I’m super excited. It’s going to be a great match… I hope… this time,” Anisimova remarked to the US Open press team.

With these comments, Anisimova hints at a revised strategy compared to her Wimbledon performance, where she failed to win a single game and appeared overwhelmed by the pressure, an outcome influenced by the numerous challenges she has faced since turning professional.

Now, with a renewed mindset and the backing of an enthusiastic home crowd, Anisimova aims to defy the odds. Although Swiatek enters as the favorite, Anisimova is determined to secure a spot in the US Open semifinals and prove her resilience on the grand stage.

Swiatek’s preparation for the quarterfinals

Prior to learning that Anisimova would be her opponent in the quarterfinals at the US Open, Swiatek demonstrated her focus and determination to succeed. Amidst an interview conducted by the tournament organizers, Swiatek was seen messaging her head coach, underscoring her commitment to preparing thoroughly for the tournament.

“I was just texting my coach. I asked him to reserve about 10 minutes on the practice courts if possible,” Swiatek disclosed during the interview following her Round of 16 victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova.

Swiatek’s admission about Rafael Nadal

In the post-match press conference after her Round of 16 triumph, the Polish sensation made an endearing confession regarding her admiration for Rafael Nadal. When asked by a reporter if she felt uncomfortable with fans requesting her sweaty towel after each match, Swiatek responded candidly.

“No, because I would have loved to have one of Rafa’s sweaty towels when I was a kid,” Swiatek expressed, reflecting on her youthful idolization of the Spanish icon as she watched him dominate the ATP circuit.

No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek opened her 2025 US Open campaign with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Emiliana Arango in exactly one hour. The win extended her streak of reaching the second round at Grand Slam tournaments to 24 consecutive events, surpassing Monica Seles’ previous record in the Open Era, according to the US Open.

Per OptaAce, Swiatek has now won 73 of 89 WTA-level matches played in the United States since 2020, giving her an 82% win rate, the best of any player with at least 30 matches in that span. Earlier this summer, she ended a 13-month title drought by winning Wimbledon, her sixth career Grand Slam, and followed it up with a victory in Cincinnati.

As Swiatek surpassed Seles’ record, we take a look at both players’ earnings. While Monica Seles officially retired back in 2008 and Swiatek’s career is at its peak, both players are undoubtedly in the list of best WTA players in history.

Iga Swiatek and Monica Seles: Career earnings

Swiatek has collected six Grand Slam titles: four at Roland Garros (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024), one at the US Open (2022), and one at Wimbledon (2025). At 24 years old, she has already established herself among the most successful players of her generation.

In terms of earnings, Swiatek has won over $41,549,048 in career prize money so far, making it already the third player with the most earnings in the all-time list. Meanwhile, Seles earned a total of $14,891,762 in prize money, placing her 41st on the all-time list.

Seles became the youngest French Open champion in history in 1990 at 16 years and six months. Between 1990 and 1992, she won eight Grand Slam singles titles before the age of 20: four Australian Opens, three French Opens, and two US Opens.

Seles’ career was interrupted in April 1993 when she was attacked during a match in Hamburg. She returned to competition in 1995 and won the 1996 Australian Open, her ninth and final major title.

Evidently, the prize money and sponsorship opportunities have grown significantly in the sport since Seles’ time, which is reflected in the numbers. Especially with the latest growth in the WTA.

Swiatek and Sabalenka present a sharp contrast in both playing style and personality on the women’s tour. Swiatek, 24, is introverted, methodical and remarkably consistent — traits that have made her dominant on clay and recently helped her capture a Wimbledon title on grass.

Sabalenka, 27, on the other hand, thrives on raw emotion and power, excelling on hard courts but often struggling to rein in her temperament during key moments on the court.

How much have they earned?

In terms of career prize money, Sabalenka has collected $34,797,811, while Swiatek has already surpassed her with $39,473,498, according to the official WTA website — despite being three years younger.

The difference can be traced back to Swiatek’s early dominance, winning big titles at a younger age, while Sabalenka’s breakthrough came later in her career. Swiatek also holds the edge in trophies, with 23 career titles (including six Grand Slams) compared to Sabalenka’s 20 (three Grand Slams).

Their rivalry

Although in recent times there has been some rapprochement between them — with joint training sessions and even TikTok videos together — the reality is that Swiatek and Sabalenka are not among the closest players on the tour, which makes sense given their rivalry.

Since 2022, they have dominated women’s tennis, frequently trading places at the top of the world rankings. Currently, Sabalenka holds the No. 1 spot, while Swiatek sits at No. 3. In head-to-head matchups, however, Swiatek leads the rivalry with eight wins to Sabalenka’s five.

Gauff was stunned in straight sets by wildcard Victoria Mboko in the last 16, leaving Swiatek with a golden opportunity to overtake her in the rankings if she went all the way and claimed the title. However, Clara Tauson dashed those hopes with a 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 victory.

Gauff currently holds the No. 2 spot with 7,789 points, while Swiatek trails by 856 points. Both players remain well behind World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka (12,225 points), who opted not to compete in the tournament.

The World No. 2 battle continues in Cincinnati

Swiatek will get another chance at the Cincinnati Open, though she faces an uphill task. She starts the tournament with an 846-point deficit—the current 856-point gap minus the 10 points Gauff is defending after her second-round exit in 2024.

The Pole has no points to defend from last year’s WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati, as her 390 points from reaching the semi-finals were removed following a positive test for the banned substance trimetazidine after the tournament.

Swiatek will need to win the tournament (worth 1,000 points) and hope that Gauff exits early. However, she admits she still needs to rediscover her rhythm on hard courts following the grass-court season, despite coming with a great nine-match winning streak.

“I still feel like I kind of need to transition on hard courts. And these matches are also kind of to learn again,” the six-time Grand Slam winner said after her defeat. “I feel like I did kind of the same mistakes I did at the end of my hard court season in March.”

Meanwhile, Gauff has struggled with her serve. In her three-set win over Danielle Collins, she recorded 24 double faults, and against Veronika Kudermetova, she added another 14. Against Mboko, she committed five more.

Osaka marked the new partnership with a hard-fought victory in the second round of the Toronto Masters. Facing 13th seed Liudmila Samsonova, Osaka rallied from a 6-4, 5-4 deficit and saved three match points before taking the second set in a tiebreak, 7-6(6), and sealing the match 6-3 in the third.

While it was Osaka’s second match in Toronto, it marked her first under Wiktorowski’s guidance. The Polish coach worked with Swiatek for three years beginning in 2022, a run that included four Grand Slam titles, 19 WTA Tour trophies, and a record-setting 37-match win streak. Swiatek also spent 125 weeks at world No. 1 during their collaboration and captured the 2023 WTA Finals title.

Wiktorowski’s coaching résumé also includes seven years alongside fellow Pole Agnieszka Radwanska, helping her reach the 2012 Wimbledon final, win the 2015 WTA Finals, and rise to world No. 2. He briefly coached Olga Danilovic in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic cut that stint short.

Osaka’s split with Mouratoglou ‘isn’t a surprise’

While Osaka’s decision to part ways with Patrick Mouratoglou surprised many fans, veteran tennis insider Jon Wertheim said the move was expected. Speaking on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast, Wertheim attributed the split to “results and logistics”.

“I don’t think this was a huge surprise,” Wertheim said. “This has been a relationship of less than a year. Osaka has won a fair amount of matches, but not at the biggest and best events”.

Wertheim added that Mouratoglou’s coaching style — widely regarded as motivational rather than tactical — may not have been the right fit for Osaka’s current needs.

“She just took a loss to Emma Raducanu in Washington, her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, was not there. I think some of this is about results and some of this is about logistics,” he continued. “Patrick is also a guy who pumps a player up with confidence… if a player doesn’t have confidence, as Naomi doesn’t appear to have much of right now, I am not sure what the relationship is all about”.

Anisimova had raised expectations after an impressive semifinal win over World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, but she couldn’t replicate that level of play in the final. Struggling with unforced errors, the American had no answers for Swiatek’s flawless performance.

With the win, Swiatek captured her first Wimbledon title and became just the second woman in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam final by a 6-0, 6-0 scoreline. The only other to do so was Graf, who defeated Natasha Zvereva with the same result in the 1988 French Open final.

Shutouts of this kind are virtually unheard of in WTA Grand Slam finals. In fact, the last time a Wimbledon final ended in a double bagel was back in 1911, when Dorothea Lambert Chambers beat Dora Boothby.

Swiatek also joined elite company by becoming just the second woman in the Open Era to win her first six Grand Slam finals, a feat previously accomplished by Monica Seles.

Swiatek reflects on Wimbledon breakthrough

After capturing the 2024 French Open, Swiatek hadn’t added another Slam title to her résumé—until now. Wimbledon had long been the one major that eluded her, with a previous best result of reaching the quarterfinals. But this year, she flipped the script.

“Honestly, I didn’t even dream [of winning Wimbledon]. It was just way too far, you know,” Swiatek admitted after the match. “I feel like I’m already an experienced player after winning the Slams before, but I never really expected this one”.

She credited her team—both new and longtime members—for believing in her throughout her journey. “I want to thank my team, because I feel like they believed in me more than I did. I want to thank my coach [Wim Fissette] who joined this year,” she continued.

“Obviously, with ups and downs, but right now we showed everybody that it’s working. Also to the team that has been with me for many years, I would be nowhere without you,” Swiatek added.

Expectations were high for Anisimova following her impressive performance against Sabalenka. However, fans were taken aback by her underwhelming display, as she suffered a swift defeat with a double 6-0 loss to Swiatek. Swiatek, who wasn’t initially considered a favorite due to her form at Roland Garros, showcased a remarkable turnaround in just 57 minutes.

Anisimova was plagued by a slew of unforced errors, a stark contrast to her previous match against world No. 8 Swiatek. The Polish player, competing at Wimbledon, exhibited a strong and focused mentality, delivering an outstanding performance with minimal mistakes.

With this victory, Swiatek clinched her first Wimbledon title, moving just one Australian Open title away from joining the elite group of players on the WTA circuit to achieve a career Grand Slam.

Top reactions and memes from the Wimbledon final

As Anisimova faced a challenging opponent in Swiatek, fans tapped into their creativity to comment on the American’s struggles in the final. Having reached this stage by ousting the world number one with an impressive semifinal display, Anisimova’s performance became a talking point across social media.

Swiatek sets records with first Wimbledon triumph

With a dominating performance at Wimbledon, Polish tennis sensation etched her name into the annals of tennis history, reaching a landmark previously achieved only by the legendary Steffi Graf during the Open Era of the WTA circuit. According to OptaAce, Swiatek became just the second player to capture a Grand Slam title with an extraordinary double 6-0 set scoreline.

Furthermore, Swiatek’s victory places her among an elite group of only eight players who have conquered Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces in professional tennis. She joins a pantheon of tennis greats alongside figures such as Graf, Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Hana Mandlikova, solidifying her status as one of the sport’s premier talents.