The tennis world is still reeling from Coco Gauff’s stunning 6-1, 6-1 demolition of Iga Swiatek in the semifinals of the 2025 Madrid Open, a match that marked one of the most lopsided defeats in the Pole’s illustrious career. The 64-minute thrashing not only propelled Gauff to her first Madrid final but also sparked widespread speculation about Swiatek’s next moves, with reports from Poland suggesting the world No. 2 might skip the 2025 Wimbledon Championships and the entire grass season. Coco Gauff’s former coach, Brad Gilbert, who guided her to the 2023 US Open title, didn’t hold back when sharing his thoughts on the potential decision, emphasizing the importance of Swiatek competing at the All England Club if her health permits.
Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion and clay-court titan, entered Madrid as the defending champion but was outplayed by Gauff’s aggressive tactics and pinpoint accuracy. The American, who had lost 11 of their previous 14 encounters, flipped the script with a clinical performance, dropping just two points on her first serve and committing only four unforced errors. “Mighty impressive effort from Coco, absolutely hammers Iga Pop for her 1st win on clay and 3rd straight win overall,” Gilbert posted on social media, celebrating his former pupil’s breakthrough. The victory, Gauff’s first over Swiatek on clay, showcased her evolving net play and tactical maturity, qualities that left Swiatek visibly shaken. During a changeover, the Pole draped a towel over her head, fighting back tears as she struggled to find answers, a moment that underscored the emotional toll of the defeat.
In the wake of the loss, whispers emerged that Swiatek, reeling from a season without a final and personal challenges, including the recent passing of her grandfather, might opt out of the grass season to reset. A tennis fan on social media, citing Polish reports, suggested it could be a “good plan” for Swiatek to skip Wimbledon, where she has only 130 ranking points to defend, to clear her head after a grueling clay campaign. Gilbert, however, pushed back against the idea. Responding to the fan’s post, he argued that Swiatek shouldn’t bypass Wimbledon unless health concerns demand it, emphasizing the tournament’s prestige and her potential to compete despite grass being her least dominant surface. “If she’s healthy, no way she skips it,” Gilbert wrote, reflecting his belief in Swiatek’s resilience and competitive spirit.
Swiatek herself acknowledged the need for rest after Madrid, where she hit 28 unforced errors and won just 35% of her first-serve points. “For sure, I want to have some days off, especially because I didn’t have any after Stuttgart,” she said, deferring scheduling decisions to her coaches. Her post-match press conference revealed a player grappling with technical and mental hurdles. “Everything collapsed tennis-wise. I wasn’t even in the right place with my feet before the shots,” she admitted, pinpointing poor movement as a key issue. The defeat, her worst on clay since a 6-1, 6-0 loss to Simona Halep at the 2019 French Open, highlighted a rare vulnerability, compounded by a season of inconsistency under new coach Wim Fissette.
Gilbert’s perspective carries weight, given his history of steering Gauff through high-pressure moments. His tenure with the American saw her overcome Swiatek’s dominance, with their last three meetings—all Gauff victories—signaling a shift in their rivalry. In Madrid, Gauff’s aggressive play forced Swiatek into “awkward positions,” as she noted post-match, a strategy Gilbert likely endorsed. While he celebrated Gauff’s triumph, his comments on Swiatek reflect a coach’s respect for a champion’s ability to rebound, urging her to face the grass season head-on.
As Swiatek prepares for the Italian Open in Rome, where she’s a three-time champion, the tennis community watches closely. Her decision on Wimbledon will hinge on her performance in Rome and at Roland Garros, where she’s the defending champion. For now, Gilbert’s words serve as a reminder of Swiatek’s enduring talent, even in defeat, and the expectation that she’ll rise to the challenge—tears, errors, and all.
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