Iga’s French Open: Channeling Sinner’s Winning Ways?

Iga Swiatek, the undisputed “Queen of Clay,” is facing an unexpected crisis of confidence ahead of the 2025 French Open. Despite her stellar record at Roland Garros, where she has won four of the past five titles, including the last three, her recent form has been lackluster. Amidst this backdrop, suggestions are emerging that Swiatek could benefit from adopting a strategy similar to that of Jannik Sinner, the current world number one. What exactly does this entail, and could it be the key to Swiatek securing her fifth French Open crown?

Swiatek’s Recent Struggles

Swiatek’s dominance on clay has been a defining feature of her career. However, the 2025 season has presented a different picture. She has struggled to find her rhythm and confidence, failing to win a single WTA tournament in the lead-up to the French Open. This is a stark contrast to previous years, where she typically entered Roland Garros with multiple titles under her belt.

Her struggles were evident in several key tournaments. She suffered a quarter-final loss to Jelena Ostapenko in Stuttgart and a humbling defeat to Coco Gauff in Spain. Her woes continued in Rome, where she made an early exit against Danielle Collins. These results have led to a drop in the WTA rankings, with Swiatek entering the French Open as the fifth seed. This is her lowest ranking since 2022, making her path to the final considerably more challenging.

Adding to the pressure, Swiatek has been dealing with personal challenges. She made a short trip back to Warsaw for the funeral of her grandfather, which may have impacted her mental state. During a semi-final defeat by Coco Gauff, Swiatek was visibly upset, highlighting the emotional toll of her recent struggles.

The Sinner “Playbook”: What It Entails

Jannik Sinner’s rise to the top of the men’s game has been meteoric. Known for his aggressive baseline game, mental fortitude, and continuous improvement, Sinner embodies a blueprint for success that Swiatek could potentially emulate. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements of Sinner’s approach:

1. Aggressive Baseline Play

Sinner is known for his aggressive baseline game, characterized by powerful groundstrokes and a willingness to take the initiative in rallies. He dictates play with his forehand and backhand, putting pressure on his opponents to defend. He can turn defensive positions into attacking ones, pouncing on weaker replies straight away. While Swiatek also possesses a strong forehand, she could benefit from incorporating more of Sinner’s relentless aggression into her game.

2. Mental Toughness

One of Sinner’s greatest strengths is his mental toughness. He remains calm and focused under pressure, rarely allowing his emotions to get the better of him. This mental fortitude has been crucial to his success, enabling him to perform at his best in high-stakes situations. Swiatek, while generally mentally strong, has shown signs of vulnerability recently. Emulating Sinner’s composure could help her navigate the challenges of the French Open.

3. Continuous Improvement

Sinner is constantly working to improve his game, focusing on refining his technique and adding variety to his shots. He identifies areas for improvement and works diligently to address them. This commitment to continuous improvement has been key to his rapid progress. Swiatek could benefit from a similar approach, focusing on developing new aspects of her game to keep her opponents guessing.

4. Strategic Tournament Planning

Sinner has demonstrated a strategic approach to tournament planning, prioritizing rest and preparation ahead of major events. For example, after a strong showing at the Rome Masters, he withdrew from the Hamburg Open to focus on the French Open. This calculated decision-making allows him to enter Grand Slam tournaments feeling physically and mentally fresh. Swiatek could adopt a similar strategy, carefully selecting tournaments and prioritizing recovery to ensure she is at her best for the biggest events.

5. Adaptability

Sinner exhibits great adaptability, adjusting well to varied conditions, surfaces, and the play styles of his opponents. He is able to modify his game plan as needed, making him a difficult opponent to strategize against. Swiatek, while successful on clay, could further enhance her adaptability to perform consistently on all surfaces.

Swiatek’s Strengths and Weaknesses

To effectively implement the Sinner “playbook,” Swiatek needs to have a clear understanding of her own strengths and weaknesses.

Strengths:

• Forehand: Swiatek’s forehand is a formidable shot, allowing her to dominate points and hit winners from various positions on the court.
• Mental Toughness: Generally, Swiatek deals well under pressure and can bring out her best during crucial moments.
• All-Court Game: While primarily a clay-courter, Swiatek has demonstrated her ability to perform well on hard courts, showcasing her adaptability.
• Athleticism and Movement: Swiatek is extremely quick and agile, enabling her to cover large portions of the court and reach challenging shots.

Weaknesses:

• Hard Court Consistency: Swiatek has not yet achieved the same level of consistency on hard courts as she has on clay, making her performances on these surfaces more unpredictable.
• Serve: Swiatek’s serve, particularly her second serve, can be a vulnerability. It is often too short and lacks variety, making it easier for opponents to attack.
• Recent Form and Confidence: Swiatek’s recent struggles have impacted her confidence, leading to tension and emotional outbursts during matches.

How Swiatek Can Implement the Sinner Playbook

To incorporate Sinner’s strategies, Swiatek could focus on the following:

1. Enhance Aggression:

Swiatek can take inspiration from Sinner’s aggressive baseline play by further developing her own attacking game. This could involve:

• Increasing Forehand Power: Focus on generating more power and spin on her forehand to dictate rallies and hit more winners.
• Taking the Initiative: Be more proactive in stepping into the court and taking control of points, rather than waiting for opportunities to arise.
• Aggressive Returns: Look to attack second serves and put pressure on her opponents from the start of the point.

2. Fortify Mental Game:

Swiatek can strengthen her mental game by:

• Practicing Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness techniques to stay present and focused during matches, reducing the impact of pressure and emotions.
• Visualizing Success: Visualize successful outcomes and positive performances to build confidence and self-belief.
• Developing Coping Mechanisms: Identify strategies for managing stress and frustration during matches, such as deep breathing or positive self-talk.

3. Prioritize Serve Improvement:

Addressing her serve weakness is crucial for Swiatek’s continued success. She can:

• Increase Serve Power: Work on generating more power on her first serve to win free points and put pressure on her opponents.
• Add Variety to Second Serve: Develop a more consistent and reliable second serve with different spins and placements to avoid easy attacks.
• Improve Directionality: Enhance the directionality of her serve to force opponents to hit forehands or backhands, disrupting their rhythm.

4. Strategic Scheduling and Rest:

Learning from Sinner’s strategic approach, Swiatek can:

• Plan Tournament Schedule: Carefully select tournaments to balance competition with adequate rest and preparation.
• Prioritize Recovery: Incorporate recovery protocols into her training regimen, including massage, stretching, and active recovery.
• Mental Breaks: Take short mental breaks between tournaments to recharge and avoid burnout.

5. Embrace Adaptability:

Swiatek can become more adaptable by:

• Analyzing Opponents: Thoroughly analyze her opponents’ strengths and weaknesses to develop tailored game plans.
• Varying Shot Selection: Incorporate more variety into her shot selection, including drop shots, slices, and changes of pace, to disrupt her opponents’ rhythm.
• Adjusting to Conditions: Practice adjusting her game to different court surfaces, weather conditions, and crowd atmospheres.

Can Swiatek Regain Her Crown?

Despite her recent struggles, Swiatek remains a formidable opponent on the clay courts of Roland Garros. Her past success and innate talent make her a perpetual threat to any opponent she faces. Former world No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo believes that Swiatek’s performance in the early rounds will be crucial in regaining her confidence and momentum for a shot at capturing her fifth French Open title.

While Swiatek’s current form may raise doubts, her ability to rediscover her mojo at Roland Garros should not be underestimated. Her statistics at the tournament are remarkable, with 21 consecutive victories and a career record of 35 wins in 37 matches since 2021. Roland Garros is the one place where you would back Swiatek to rediscover her best form.

By incorporating elements of the Sinner “playbook,” Swiatek can enhance her aggression, strengthen her mental game, improve her serve, and become more adaptable. These changes, combined with her existing strengths, could provide the edge she needs to overcome her recent struggles and reclaim her title as the “Queen of Clay.”

The 2025 French Open promises to be a thrilling and unpredictable competition. With top players like Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff in good form, Swiatek will face a tough challenge. However, if she can channel Sinner’s winning ways and rediscover her confidence, she has the potential to reign supreme once again. The tennis world eagerly awaits to see if Swiatek can rise to the occasion and capture her fifth French Open crown.