Incident Overview
In a recent incident during a practice match meant to generate excitement for the Italian Open, Iga Swiatek‘s newly appointed coach, Francisco Roig, sustained a serious injury. Roig, who has previously worked with tennis legend Rafael Nadal, suffered a torn Achilles tendon while playing a friendly volleying game with Swiatek in the scenic Piazza del Popolo in Rome.
Details of the Injury
The mishap occurred during a point that involved a $120 wager, with Swiatek on the cusp of victory when Roig attempted a movement that resulted in his injury. He managed to maintain his composure throughout the incident, which left onlookers unaware of the severity of his condition. Swiatek later described the moment,
“His face was like normal. I thought he was joking at the beginning.”
Recovery and Future Plans
This unfortunate event took place on Saturday, and Roig was already undergoing surgery for his injury by Tuesday in Warsaw. Despite the setback, Swiatek noted that Roig has only missed one practice, and they are making adjustments as he recovers from surgery.
“It’s not easy right now in the practices because he can’t be next to me. But we’ll make it work,”
she explained.
Coaching Transition
Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam winner, is currently preparing for the French Open, which she has won four times. After recently parting ways with her former coach, Wim Fissette, Swiatek had welcomed Roig into her training team, highlighting the strong relationship they had formed since his arrival.
“We had a good relationship from the beginning,”
Swiatek affirmed, emphasizing that their connection did not require any health crises to solidify.
