“She is so good on clay”: Serena Williams’ ex-coach reveals Iga Swiatek reminds her of two former world number one players
WTA
Rennae Stubbs, the ex-coach of former world number one Serena Williams, has stated that Poland’s Iga Swiatek reminds her of Steffi Graf and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario. The 22-year-old is already regarded as the best
player currently playing in the women’s singles category, having won as many as
four Grand Slam titles so early in her career.
Three of those titles came while playing at the Roland
Garros, which shows that she loves playing on clay. Not only that as the current
world number one recently registered an impressive triumph in the Spanish
capital, where she lifted the Madrid Open after beating the current world number
two Aryna Sabalenka in the final with a score of 7-5, 4-6, 7-6.
Stubbs was recently quoted in a report in which she heaped praise on the four-time Grand Slam winner’s performances, especially while playing on clay. She stated that her performances remind her of two former world number ones, Graf and Sanchez Vicario, who combined won the French Open
nine times in their illustrious careers.
"It was one or two points where it really came down to
it, where Iga Swiatek got the ball back cross court but in the middle of the
court," said Stubbs. "So, through the middle of the court, I call it
the tunnel. It's a very big thing for me and I coach it. Hit it through the
tunnel, especially on clay and you're gonna find a shitty bounce in the middle
of the court there, where everybody runs.
Iga Swiatek recently won the Madrid Masters after beating Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
"You might get a dirty bounce. But I get it back, and
because Iga is such a great mover on clay. She is so good on clay, she reminds
me of Arantxa Sanchez and Steffi Graf and the great claycourt movers, where you
know they can get a ball that not many can, because they can just glide to the
shot."
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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