Iga Świątek Struggles: Coach Gilbert Suggests Alcaraz, Sinner Approach

Iga Świątek’s 2026 season has taken a sharp downturn, with her failure to defend her Wimbledon title dropping her to No. 8 in the world rankings. The 25-year-old, once a dominant force, has won just three titles since mid-2024, a stark contrast to her previous success.

What’s Behind Świątek’s Struggles?

Brad Gilbert, former coach of Coco Gauff and Andre Agassi, expressed surprise at Świątek’s decline. 'Iga surprised me the most: how much she’s fallen off,' he said on the Big T Podcast. Gilbert noted her lack of finals appearances in the past ten months and suggested she hasn’t adapted her game like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

Gilbert’s Advice for Świątek

Gilbert believes Świątek needs to evolve her game, much like Sinner and Alcaraz did. 'You’ve got to add to your game. You’ve got to be willing and flexible,' he said. The coach pointed out that both Sinner and Alcaraz improved their serves and added variety to their games, something Świątek has yet to do.

What’s Next for Świątek?

Świątek hasn’t reached a final since winning the Korea Open in September 2025. With her ranking slipping, she faces an uphill battle to qualify for the 2026 WTA Finals. Gilbert’s advice may be the push she needs to regain her former dominance.