"I’d rather my coach use it and tell me the important stuff”: Iga Swiatek addresses growing AI trend in tennis

Iga Swiatek referred to the growing presence of artificial intelligence tools in professional tennis following her quarter-final victory over Jessica Pegula. The 6-time Grand Slam champion reached the Rome Open semi-finals — her first appearance in the last four of a tournament this season — after crushing Pegula 6-1, 6-2.

The Pole is slowly beginning to look impressive again — just as she had in previous years during the clay swing. After surviving a tight first round against Caty McNally in three sets, she has barely conceded a handful of games in her following matches: one against Elisabetta Cocciaretto, three against Naomi Osaka, and another three against Pegula.

After defeating Pegula and reaching her first semi-finals of the season, the Polish player offered a detailed explanation of how data is integrated into her daily performance structure. The former World No. 1 was asked directly about whether players are beginning to use tools such as ChatGPT for opponent scouting and match planning.

Swiatek clarified that while analytics and statistical systems are part of her preparation environment, she does not personally engage with AI tools for tactical decision-making. Instead, she described a model in which external data services and analysts filter information before it reaches her coaching team.

Swiatek explained that her team already operates within a structured analytics ecosystem, where external providers deliver statistical insights that are then processed internally by her coaches. She stressed that she sees no need to personally engage with these systems, as the workflow is designed to keep decision-making clear and centralised within her coaching structure.

“Well, first of all, I buy stats. I would rather use these pro tools that they are using because I’m working with analytics and I get the service from them,” the 6-time Grand Slam champion said. “So I don’t feel there’s a need. I don’t know who’s using ChatGPT, but I’m pretty sure top players are using the same brand I use or other firms that are specializing in this.”

She added that while artificial intelligence is increasingly present in elite sport, it is primarily embedded within professional data services rather than used directly by players during preparation. “I guess they use AI for sure, but I don’t know how,” the 24-year-ol player added.

“I wouldn’t honestly go and search for the stats myself because you can get quite a lot. But it’s the other thing like using just the proper information and not making too many… not like it being too chaotic on the court for you.”

Swiatek made clear that she prefers a delegated model in which her coach interprets data and extracts only the most relevant elements. “I’d rather my coach use it and then he tells me, you know, the most important stuff and that’s it, but I’m using ChatGPT for other stuff, but not this.”

When asked to specify, she gave a brief example of non-tennis usage, reinforcing that her engagement with the tool remains peripheral to her sporting process. “Well, he’s writing emails for me sometimes.”

Swiatek is showing confidence once again on clay courts after a couple of tournaments without the expected results. The Pole arrived in Rome with a poor 2-2 record on clay courts after falling in the quarter-finals of the Stuttgart Open and the third round of the Madrid Open. This time in Rome, she has once again become the intimidating clay-court player she has been throughout her career.

“I’ve been playing a bit differently, I would say. More similar to how I played a couple of years ago, more like a clay-court player,” she said in her press conference. “So I guess all the things that we practiced really clicked during the last few matches. And I was feeling that I can really add a lot of spin and a lot of power to the forehands. The trajectory was really nice, so I just used it.”

Against Pegula, she landed 78% of her first serves, winning 72% of those points. The Pole did not face a single break point, while converting four of her seven break opportunities. Swiatek was impressive in winning 86% of the points Pegula played behind her second serve, while also winning 75% of her own second-serve points, showing far greater clarity during the rallies.

“I feel on clay there’s not so much pressure on the serve because it’s not so easy to get free points. So I know I have a really great baseline game,” explained the 3-time Italian Open champion. “Even if my serve is going to be kind of normal and not do a lot, I know that it’s still in my hands what will happen with the point, so I don’t think it’s that much important.”

Swiatek now awaits her appearance once again in the Rome semi-finals this Thursday, where she will face the winner between Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina, who will close the night session in Rome this Wednesday.