Iga Swiatek is back and unstoppable at the 2026 French Open! The Polish star, a four-time champion at Roland Garros, began her campaign with a commanding victory over wildcard Emerson Jones, showing everyone that she remains a formidable force on the Parisian clay. Former world number one Mats Wilander had no doubts: “It seems impossible to beat Iga Swiatek on Court Philippe-Chatrier.”
After a challenging start to the season, with an early exit at the Stuttgart tournament and a withdrawal due to illness in Madrid, Swiatek appeared to be far from her best form. However, her performance at the Rome tournament clearly indicated that the “old” Iga is back, reaching the semifinals and delivering a solid display against Elina Svitolina.
In Paris, the Polish player did not hold back and dispatched Emerson Jones in just one hour, with a clear score of 6-1, 6-2. In the on-court interview, Swiatek confessed: “I’m very happy to play on this court. The first matches are always to help me adapt to the conditions. I’m pleased with how I played today, especially tactically. I felt good with the ball. It was a good first match, no doubt.”
The TNT Sports specialist, Mats Wilander, highlighted a significant change in the champion’s playing style: “She is playing better, a bit further back on the baseline. On this court, the ball bounces very high and that works to her advantage. She seems impossible to beat here. She is not being as aggressive as before, when she was super aggressive and that didn’t always work. Now, she is back to her best.”
Henri Leconte, former world number five and runner-up at Roland Garros in 1988, also noted the influence of new coach Francisco Roig, who replaced Wim Fissette after the Miami Open: “She has returned to what she wants: staying at the baseline and going for her shots. She is moving better. The work with Roig is paying off. When she plays like this, she is a serious title contender.”
Despite these optimistic forecasts, Swiatek remains grounded and refuses to underestimate the journey to the title: “Nothing is easy. With more titles, it’s even harder because everyone expects you to always be ready and playing perfectly. You have to stay humble, not take anything for granted, and work from day one to play well.”
Adapting to the tournament conditions is also a key factor for the Polish player, who noticed the differences between Rome and Paris: “After Rome, where it was cold and the surface was heavier, this court feels completely different. You have to adjust.”
Mats Wilander and Henri Leconte will be covering all the action from Roland Garros for TNT Sports, where every point will be broadcast live, ensuring that no play from Swiatek goes unnoticed.
If there is anyone who can halt Iga Swiatek’s triumphant march at the 2026 French Open, they have yet to appear. For now, the sensation on clay is clear: Swiatek is back, stronger and more lethal than ever!
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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