"From my standpoint that's ridiculous": Francisco Roig ditching Mpetshi Perricard through agent slammed but can Swiatek move work?

Friday, 10 April 2026 at 16:03

The coaching move involving Iga Swiatek and Francisco Roig has sparked debate, with Brad Gilbert and Nick Monroe raising questions not only about the fit, but also how the transition was handled.

“That’s awful from a coach”

Monroe was critical of the way Roig’s departure from Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard unfolded on the Big T Podcast. “Look, with Francisco Roig, this situation was handled poorly. He told Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard’s agent that he was moving on to Iga Swiatek, and then the agent told the player. From my standpoint, that’s ridiculous. That’s awful from a coach. Call your player directly and tell them you’re moving on, it’s not that big of a deal.”

Perricard has since moved on, bringing in Greg Rusedski as his coach. But for Monroe, the key issue remains professionalism. “Go to the player first. Don’t go through the agent or the back door.”

Meanwhile, Roig has already begun work with Swiatek at the Rafa Nadal Academy, where Rafael Nadal has also been seen offering guidance on court.

A strong assistant, but can he lead?

Questions around Roig’s credentials as a lead coach were also raised, particularly given his history.

Monroe pointed out the short-lived nature of several of Roig’s previous coaching roles: “That’s the big question. Roig has mostly been a number two coach. He worked with Matteo Berrettini, which lasted about nine months. He coached Emma Raducanu for five or six months. He was with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard for just a month.”

Gilbert added further context: “And before that, Sloane Stephens, which didn’t go very well.”

Roig’s long-term role as an assistant to Nadal is undeniable, he spent nearly two decades in that position, but when Nadal made a major coaching change after Uncle Toni, he opted for Carlos Moyá instead.

Gilbert compared the situation to other sports: “It reminds me of guys in the NFL like Josh McDaniels, great assistant coaches, but not always successful as head coaches.”

With Swiatek, Roig now steps into his highest-profile role yet. "This will be the first time that he’s coaching somebody of this pedigree, so it’ll be interesting to see if he can adapt.”

Iga Swiatek counts on Roig now as her new full time coach.

The importance of adapting to the player

Both men emphasised that success at this level depends on a coach’s ability to tailor their approach.

Gilbert explained his own philosophy: “For me, I don’t have a fixed style as a coach. It’s about adapting to the player. You ask, how do I make them better? What do they need to work on? What areas do we need to manage and improve?”

That adaptability could prove crucial with Swiatek, who is looking to regain clarity in her game.

Why Swiatek could be a better fit

Despite concerns, there are reasons to believe the partnership could work, particularly when it comes to Swiatek’s physical attributes.

Gilbert highlighted one key advantage: “Movement is the big one. Iga is unbelievably fast, probably the second-best mover on the women’s tour behind Coco Gauff.”

That speed gives her options that other players Roig has coached may not have had.

“So if Roig or Nadal wants her to extend points, she absolutely has the ability to do that. With Emma, maybe she doesn’t feel as comfortable doing that yet, it’s something she may need to develop.”

A results-driven reality

Ultimately, as Gilbert pointed out, coaching at the elite level is simple in one respect, it comes down to winning.

If Roig can help Swiatek rediscover her identity and produce results, the move will be justified. If not, questions about his ability to step out of the assistant role will only grow louder.

As ever in tennis: Results will decide everything.

Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief

Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.

Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.

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