The tennis world was left reeling after Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, ended Iga Swiatek’s reign as the “Queen of Clay” in a gripping 2025 French Open semifinal, halting the Pole’s 26-match Roland Garros winning streak with a 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-0 victory. The defeat marked Swiatek’s first loss in Paris since 2021 and sparked renewed scrutiny over her 12-month title drought, with critics pointing to her lack of silverware since her 2024 French Open triumph. However, Sascha Bajin, Naomi Osaka’s former coach, has come to Swiatek’s defense, arguing that the expectations placed on the 23-year-old are unfairly high. “The bar is too high for Iga Swiatek,” Bajin declared, emphasizing that her semifinal run against an in-form Sabalenka is a testament to her enduring quality.
Swiatek’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster, marked by personal and professional challenges. After a dominant 2024, where she clinched five titles, including Madrid, Rome, and Roland Garros, the Pole has faced setbacks, including a doping suspension, a public harassment incident, and the loss of her grandfather before the Madrid Open. Her third-round exit to Danielle Collins at the 2025 Italian Open and a semifinal loss to Coco Gauff in Madrid saw her drop to No. 7 in the WTA rankings, with just 18 points separating her from sixth-placed Mirra Andreeva. Despite these struggles, Bajin, who guided Osaka to two of her four Grand Slam titles, insisted that Swiatek’s performance in Paris should not be diminished. “Everyone talking about Iga not winning anymore. Losing to the number 1 player on tour in the semifinal at Roland Garros is not a loss anywhere in my books,” he stated, highlighting the caliber of her opponent.
The French Open semifinal showcased Swiatek’s resilience but also her vulnerabilities. She battled back from a 4-1 deficit in the first set, forcing a tiebreak that Sabalenka dominated 7-1. Swiatek responded in the second set, leveraging her heavy topspin and defensive mastery to level the match 6-4. However, the third set saw a rare collapse, with Sabalenka delivering a 6-0 “bagel” in just 22 minutes. Swiatek admitted post-match, “I think I lost my intensity a bit, and she played as strong as in the first set, but I didn’t react to that well and just couldn’t push back.” Sabalenka, meanwhile, praised Swiatek’s tenacity, noting, “Iga is the toughest opponent, especially on the clay, especially at Roland Garros.” The Belarusian’s victory, her second over Swiatek on clay, propelled her to her first French Open final, where she faces Gauff.
Bajin’s defense comes at a time when Swiatek’s team dynamics are evolving. After parting ways with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski in October 2024, Swiatek hired Wim Fissette, another of Osaka’s former coaches, who brings a wealth of experience from working with Grand Slam champions like Kim Clijsters and Angelique Kerber. “I’m very excited and looking forward to working with Wim. He seems to have a great attitude, vision, and huge experience at the very top level of tennis,” Swiatek said, expressing optimism about their long-term collaboration as she prepares for the WTA Finals in Riyadh. Fissette’s focus on improving Swiatek’s serve, as noted by journalist Ben Rothenberg, could address a key weakness exposed in Paris, where she won only 39% of second-serve points against Sabalenka.
Swiatek’s 40-3 Roland Garros record remains a testament to her clay-court dominance, second only to Rafael Nadal in efficiency. Her 2025 campaign, though title-less, included a thrilling fourth-round comeback against Elena Rybakina, where she rallied from a 6-1, 2-0 deficit, and a straight-sets win over Elina Svitolina. Reflecting on her Paris run, Swiatek remained philosophical: “I love playing here, so for sure I’m happy I was fortunate enough to play so many施大
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