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Iga Świątek’s slump sparks Brad Gilbert’s sharp critique of her form

2026-07-16 · Iga Świątek · Opinion

Iga Świątek’s slump sparks Brad Gilbert’s sharp critique of her form

Brad Gilbert, the veteran coach and analyst, has laid bare his frustration with Iga Świątek’s stagnant progress this season, labeling her recent struggles the most alarming fall among the WTA’s elite.

**## What did Brad Gilbert say about Iga Świątek?**

Gilbert, speaking on his *Big T* podcast, ripped into Świątek’s refusal to adapt her game despite her coaching change. “Iga didn’t follow the path of Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner and improve,” he said. “Top players hit rough patches, but her drop is the starkest.” He slammed her rigid approach, urging flexibility mid-season rather than waiting for breaks. “If I need to change something, I do it now-not after the off-season,” he stressed.

**## How bad is Świątek’s slump?**

The Polish star hasn’t reached a final in ten months, a drought that’s dragged her from world No. 1 to No. 8. Her 2024 Wimbledon title win now looks like a fluke of a draw, Gilbert suggested. Since then, she’s bowed out early at the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon, plus a quarter-final exit at the US Open. Her ranking is under siege, with 1,550 points from last year’s Montreal, Cincinnati, and US Open events up for grabs in the coming weeks.

**## Why does Gilbert’s critique sting?**

Gilbert’s words carry weight. A former world No. 4 and coach to Andre Agassi, he’s known for brutal honesty. His take? Świątek’s technical flaws are glaring, and her refusal to address them risks permanent decline. “She surprised me the most,” he said. “How far she’s fallen.”

**## What’s next for Świątek?**

Her return looms at the Canadian Open in Toronto on 4 August. Experts call it a make-or-break stretch-not just for points, but for her confidence. The Polish press has already dubbed it a “redemption arc” after her Wimbledon title defense collapsed in June. If she bombs in Toronto, her top-10 status could crumble within weeks.

Gilbert’s verdict? Świątek must act fast-or risk sliding into obscurity among the WTA’s also-rans.

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