Swiatek's Coach Tears Achilles in Training Accident

In a bizarre turn of events that cast a shadow over preparations for the Italian Open, Polish tennis star Iga Świątek's new coach, Francisco Roig, suffered a serious injury during a promotional event in Rome. Roig, who recently joined Świątek's team, tore his Achilles tendon while participating in a friendly volleying game designed to promote the tournament.

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He did a split step and tore his Achilles.

The incident, which happened on Saturday, saw Roig sustain the injury during a moment of play where Świątek was on match point. Świątek herself admitted that she initially didn't grasp the severity of the situation, believing her coach was joking due to his stoic reaction. "His face was like normal. I thought he was joking at the first moment," she recounted after her opening match victory.

Roig, a respected figure in the tennis world who previously coached Rafael Nadal, underwent surgery in Warsaw on Tuesday. His recovery will necessitate a period of absence, forcing Świątek to adapt her training routines. "It's not easy right now in the practices because he can't be next to me. But we'll make it work," Świątek stated, expressing determination to overcome this unexpected challenge.

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His face was like normal. I thought he was joking at the first moment.

Despite the unfortunate incident, Świątek emphasized that her relationship with Roig, which began positively, did not require such an event to solidify. As she gears up for the French Open, where she is a multiple-time champion, this setback adds an unexpected layer of complexity to her campaign. The focus now shifts to how Świątek and her team will navigate her training and preparation without her coach's direct on-court presence.

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It's not easy right now in the practices because he can't be next to me. But we'll make it work.