Iga Swiatek enters Roland Garros searching for her fifth title in Paris during what has arguably been the most difficult period of her career.
The second Grand Slam of the season began on May 24, with the world’s top players arriving in the French capital hoping to lift one of the most prestigious trophies in tennis. The Pole already opened her campaign with a dominant 6-1 6-2 victory over Australian Emerson Jones in the first round and will face Sara Bejlek next as she continues to look for another title in Paris
Despite recent struggles and inconsistent performances throughout the season, Świątek remains among the favorites thanks to her remarkable record on clay courts and her history of dominance at Roland Garros. For several years, she was considered nearly unbeatable on clay and established herself as the leading player of her generation. After winning her first French Open title in 2020 at just 19 years old, she quickly became the face of women’s tennis.
However, the past two seasons have been very different from the dominant years that made her World No. 1. In 2024, Świątek began to show signs of vulnerability. Even so, the Polish player still managed to win three titles last season, including her first Wimbledon championship–also her first career title on grass.
Iga Swiatek’s Fall from the Top
A Tough Clay-Court Season
This year’s clay season, however, has been far from ideal for Świątek. Results that once seemed automatic have become more difficult to achieve, and several unexpected defeats have raised questions about her current level heading into Roland Garros.
In Stuttgart, she suffered a quarterfinal loss to Mirra Andreeva in a three-set battle, losing 6-3 4-6 3-6. Things became even more complicated at the Madrid Open. During her match against Ann Li, Świątek was forced to withdraw in the third set due to a gastrointestinal illness. At the Italian Open, Świątek once again fell short of expectations. She was defeated in the semifinals by Elina Svitolina in another disappointing result.
Despite those struggles, Roland Garros remains the tournament most closely associated with Świątek’s legacy, where she has consistently produced her best tennis under pressure. She captured the title in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024, establishing herself as the “Queen of Clay.”
Still, memories of last year’s defeat remain fresh. Her 2025 campaign ended in disappointment after a semifinal loss to Aryna Sabalenka. After a tight opening set, Świątek faded physically and mentally, eventually losing 6-7 6-4 0-6. The result marked one of her toughest losses at Roland Garros.
The Competition in Paris
The competition in this year’s tournament is expected to be extremely strong. Among the biggest threats is Coco Gauff, the reigning Roland Garros champion who defeated Sabalenka in last year’s final.
Sabalenka also remains one of the most dangerous players in the draw despite an inconsistent clay season. The Belarusian star suffered surprising defeats in Madrid against Hailey Baptiste and later at the Italian Open against Sorana Cîrstea.
With several top players struggling for consistency, this year’s women’s draw in Paris appears more open than it has in recent seasons. That uncertainty could either benefit Świątek or make her path even more complicated.
Can Iga Swiatek Reclaim Her Throne?
As Roland Garros begins, will she once again prove why she became the queen of clay, or has a new era in women’s tennis finally arrived in Paris?
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
