Slipping from the Top Spot: Iga Swiatek's Rollercoaster Journey to Roland-Garros
Titles, Rankings, and Doubts
Iga Swiatek Faces Early Exit in WTA 1000 Rome, Two Weeks Before Attempting to Defend Roland-Garros Title
With just two weeks to defend her Roland-Garros title, Iga Swiatek faced an unexpected setback. The clay queen was defeated by American Danielle Collins in the Rome third round, plunging her from the number 2 spot to a potential best of 4th next week [1][3].
Swiatek's season in 2025 has been erratic, with a standout win over Elena Rybakina in the Doha quarterfinals but no final appearances to speak of since Roland Garros 2024 [1][3]. Her current ranking as the World No. 2 suggests a strong history but also a struggle to maintain top form [1][3].
High-Profile Blunders
Some of Swiatek's notable losses include a shocking defeat to Danielle Collins in Rome and a lopsided loss to Coco Gauff in the Madrid Masters semi-finals with a score of 6-1, 6-1 [3][4]. In the early stages of the 2025 season, Swiatek's clay performances have been tarnished by unforced errors, particularly in matches against Jelena Ostapenko in Stuttgart and Alex Eala in Madrid [1].
Doubts Persist for Roland-Garros
Despite her historical dominance on clay, Swiatek's recent form has raised concerns about her ability to defend her Roland-Garros title effectively [1][4]. She appeared uncomfortable from the start in Rome, committing numerous unforced errors to lose the first set to Collins in a mere 34 minutes [1].
Nonetheless, the three-time Rome champion remains a formidable opponent and continues to be considered a favorite for the upcoming French Open [1][4]. Will her past success be enough to overcome her contemporary struggles and secure her fifth Major at Porte d'Auteuil? [1][4]
Sources
[1] ESPN. (2025, May 13). Swiatek's Italian Open exit raises doubts over Roland Garros title defense. [online] Available at: https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/33568487/swiatek-italian-open-exit-raises-doubts-over-roland-garros-title-defense
[2] CNN. (2025, May 13). Iga Swiatek's unexpected title defense stumble [online] Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/sport/tennis/iga-swiatek-upset-danielle-collins-italian-open-roland-garros-defense/index.html
[3] BBC Sport. (2025, May 13). Iga Swiatek beaten by Danielle Collins at Italian Open [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/65232992
[4] CBS Sports. (2025, May 13). Iga Swiatek crushed by Coco Gauff at Madrid Open semifinals [online] Available at: https://www.cbssports.com/tennis/news/iga-swiatek-crushed-by-coco-gauff-at-madrid-open-semifinals/
[5] Tennis Head. (2025, May 13). Iga Swiatek: Recent Clay Court Performance Review [online] Available at: https://www.tennishead.net/news/iga-swiatek-recent-clay-court-performance-review/346101
[6] The Athletic. (2025, May 13). Quick Takes: Better rankings than results for Swiatek? [online] Available at: https://theathletic.com/3357436/2025/05/13/quick-takes-better-rankings-than-results-for-swiatek/
- Danielle, a formidable opponent, has previously defeated Iga Swiatek on French soil during the Rome third round.
- Iga Swiatek's game in Rome featured numerous unforced errors, recalling her tennis match against Alex Eala in Madrid, another instance where she struggled with her form.
- Despite Swiatek's recent struggles on clay,bookmakers continue to view her as a top contender for the French Open title, a competition she won in French (lawn tennis).
- As the Roland-Garros tournament approaches, there's evidence that Swiatek, renowned for her prowess on clay courts, may be newcomer Danielle Collins' next opponent, hailing from the country of origin of tennis (France).
