Iga Swiatek’s Below-Par Start to 2026

Iga Swiatek suffered yet another disappointing defeat in Miami, in what has been a below-par year so far for the former world #1. Swiatek lost to fellow Pole Magda Linette in three sets, despite winning the first set 6-1. The loss ends her 73-match winning streak in opening round matches – a WTA record.

Struggling for Form

The 24-year-old is yet to go further than the quarter-final stage of any tournament this year, losing to eventual champion Elena Rybakina in the first Major of the year down under.

She then lost in the quarters of both her first two Masters 1000s of the year in three sets, first to Maria Sakkari, who herself is struggling for form, in Doha. Then to Elina Svitolina at Indian Wells.

Her poor start to the year, combined with arch rival Aryna Sabalenka’s incredible year so far means that Swiatek is now over 3000 ranking points from the top spot in the rankings that she once held in a vice-like grip.

In hope to regain some form ahead of her much-favoured clay season, Swiatek announced she had split with her coach Wim Fissette after 18 months together. Their time together was somewhat up and down, as it included a historic yet rather surprising run to Wimbledon glory, but no clay titles – a surface that Swiatek has historically enjoyed great success on.

Still the Queen of Clay?

In her career so far, Swiatek has enjoyed most of her success on clay; four of her six Major titles have come at the French Open, and she has won four Masters 1000 titles on the dirt.

However, 2025 was the first year since 2020 where Swiatek failed to pick up a title on clay, and it was arguably her worst surface last year.

The clay season arguably couldn’t have come at a better time for the Pole – a clean slate, an opportunity to put the disappointment of her year so far behind her on her favourite surface – Swiatek will always be a threat on clay, and anyone would be foolish to think otherwise.