Rome, Italy : Iga Swiatek arrives at the French Open without a claycourt title since her Roland Garros triumph last year, but the Pole remains one of the favourites as she chases a fifth title in Paris and a seventh Grand Slam crown overall.
The 24-year-old has dominated on the Paris clay in recent seasons and became only the third woman to win three successive French Open titles in 2024 after Justine Henin and Monica Seles.
Yet Swiatek’s momentum has slowed since then, with the former world number one slipping to third in the rankings following an inconsistent 2025 campaign.
Her season began under the shadow of a doping suspension after the International Tennis Integrity Agency accepted that a positive test resulted from contaminated melatonin medication. Swiatek served a one-month ban that ended in December 2024.
Despite rebounding by winning Wimbledon Championships with a dominant 6-0 6-0 victory over Amanda Anisimova in the final, Swiatek has struggled for consistency this year.
She suffered quarter-final exits at the Australian Open, the Qatar Open and Indian Wells before a surprise second-round loss to compatriot Magda Linette in Miami.
The defeat prompted a coaching change as Swiatek parted ways with Wim Fissette and hired Francisco Roig, a longtime member of Rafael Nadal‘s coaching team during the Spaniard’s run of 14 French Open titles.
The partnership has yet to deliver a trophy, although there have been encouraging signs during the clay swing.
Swiatek managed only one win in Stuttgart before illness forced her to retire in Madrid with a gastrointestinal problem. She showed improvement in Rome, however, reaching the semi-finals before losing to eventual champion Elina Svitolina.
The Italian Open also featured Swiatek’s first victory over a top-10 opponent this season.
In Paris, she is likely to face stiff competition from world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who beat her in last year’s semi-finals, and world number two Elena Rybakina, who eliminated her at the Australian Open before winning the title.
Despite an uneven buildup, Swiatek’s record at Roland Garros ensures she remains one of the leading contenders when the tournament begins on Sunday.
