WTA, Tennis Damen Finals 2025 - Day Five RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA NOVEMBER 5, 2025: Iga Swiatek of Poland speaks to the media after losing her final group-stage match to Amanda Anisimova of the United States on Day 5 of the 2025 WTA Finals, part of the Hologic WTA Tour, at King Saud University Indoor Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 5, 2025. Riyadh Saudi Arabia PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xArturxWidakx originalFilename:widak-wtafinal251105_npT1e.jpg
WTA, Tennis Damen Finals 2025 - Day Five RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA NOVEMBER 5, 2025: Iga Swiatek of Poland speaks to the media after losing her final group-stage match to Amanda Anisimova of the United States on Day 5 of the 2025 WTA Finals, part of the Hologic WTA Tour, at King Saud University Indoor Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 5, 2025. Riyadh Saudi Arabia PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xArturxWidakx originalFilename:widak-wtafinal251105_npT1e.jpg
Playing the WTA Finals remains Iga Swiatek’s main target for the season. After a difficult start, the Pole hopes to make the year-end event after a change in her coaching.
At the moment, Swiatek sits outside the qualification places for the WTA Finals. Former Rafael Nadal coach Francisco Roig is now working with her, hoping for solid results in the upcoming tournaments.
"It's definitely still a long way off, but yes, it's our goal,” Roig said. “Iga and I talked about the WTA Finals. The point is, if we perform well in the two upcoming tournaments, we could still qualify depending on our opponents' results.”
April 25, 2026, Madrid, Madrid, Spain: Iga Swiatek of Poland plays against Ann Li of USA during the Mutua Madrid Open 2026, ATP, Tennis Herren Masters 1000 and WTA, Tennis Damen 1000, at La Caja Magica on April 25, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. Madrid Spain - ZUMAa181 20260425_zaa_a181_201 Copyright: xOscarxJ.xBarrosox
April 25, 2026, Madrid, Madrid, Spain: Iga Swiatek of Poland plays against Ann Li of USA during the Mutua Madrid Open 2026, ATP, Tennis Herren Masters 1000 and WTA, Tennis Damen 1000, at La Caja Magica on April 25, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. Madrid Spain - ZUMAa181 20260425_zaa_a181_201 Copyright: xOscarxJ.xBarrosox
This marks a critical juncture for Swiatek's season, as the Finals approaches.
It took until August for Swiatek to reach a final. Hoping for a change of results, she ended her work with Wim Fissette and brought in Roig to her team in April.
The coaching change showed results. Swiatek secured the WTA 1000 event in Toronto after winning the final against Elena Rybakina in two straight sets. She also managed to reach the Cincinnati semifinals.
If the 25-year-old doesn’t achieve her target, she’ll buy herself time to prepare for the next season.
“However, if we don't achieve it, it won't be the end of the world," Roig added, as reported by Tennis World USA's Sead Dedovic. "We'll have a little more time to prepare as best we can for next season.”
Since 2021, Swiatek has made it to the WTA Finals every time, winning in 2023. She ended that season as the world No. 1. However, things look very different this time around.
Heading out of the US Open in the fourth round did not help her chances. Now, the China Open in Beijing awaits her.
Coach Roig knows what he wants from her player.
The road to finals qualification
The China Open begins September 28, and Roig expects an overall improvement in Swiatek’s game.
"So I want to see a player who comes in with a better serve, good movement, good coordination, and without unnecessary stress," Roig said, per the same Tennis World USA's Sead Dedovic report. "That will show up to some extent anyway.”
Swiatek clinched the China Open in 2023, and to make the WTA Finals this year, she needs to do the same. However, Roig pointed out that the first game will not be easy.
Although the first-round pairings haven’t been released, Swiatek will be hoping for a solid start. According to Roig, Beijing will be optimal for the Pole.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar