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‘It changes’ – Coco Gauff dismisses Iga Swiatek struggles to ignite clay court hopes and end four-year drought
Iga Swiatek has been a thorn in Coco Gauff’s side throughout their careers. The rivals have played each other 15 times in their careers, despite being just 23 and 21 respectively, and it’s the Pole who has a commanding lead in their bouts with an 11-4 record in her favor. Coco Gauff is enjoying her best tennis of the year on clayGETTY However, the tide is slowly changing with Gauff claiming the last three matches, with the most recent win coming at the Madrid Open in early May. Her record was once so lopsided towards Swiatek that the American joked she was scared about her head-to-head with the Pole becoming like Gael Monfils’ struggles against Novak Djokovic. Djokovic has 20 wins and zero losses against the Frenchman. “It feels good,” Gauff said after her first career win over Swiatek in August 2023. “To be honest, I don’t know if I was thinking too far ahead. No offense to Gael, but I did not want that record, like the Novak and Gael record. I didn’t want that.” There was one area in which Swiatek always dominated Gauff — on clay. Before that win in Madrid against Swiatek, Gauff was 0-10 in sets played against the World No.2 on the surface. Now that she has beaten Swiatek on clay, and in devastating fashion too, winning 6-1, 6-1, she admitted her perspective on her has changed. “Yeah, I mean, I think for sure it changes some things when you maybe see someone who won Roland Garros that many times not having the best results,” Gauff said. Swiatek has been in a bit of a slump in recent weeks, having not won a title in 2025 so far, and when she was thrashed by Gauff in Spain, scrutiny on her intensified. Recent wins include beating Emma Raducanu in straight setsGetty Gauff hasn’t won a singles title on clay since her Emilia 2021 titleGETTY The Pole is dubbed the Queen of Clay, having won each of the last three editions of the French Open — and 10 of her 22 WTA titles have come on her favourite surface. Her vulnerabilities in 2025 were exposed again when America’s Danielle Collins clinched a 6-1, 7-5 victory at the Italian Open in the second round in a shocking upset. Gauff was quick to remind everyone that Swiatek’s achievements mean it’s impossible to count her out. “You also have to respect that she’s a four-time champion at Roland Garros. I always think if someone wins a tournament that many times, regardless of what shape they’re in, they can definitely figure out a way to win again,” she added. “If I were to play her at French Open, I would throw away the results in Madrid, not even think about it, expect her to play her best tennis.” Gauff is currently suffering a four-year drought for a title on clay, a surface she typically enjoys. Her last came at the Emilia-Romagna Open in 2021 and she came close to winning another in Madrid this year but lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the final. However, with Sabalenka and Swiatek both out of the Italian Open, Gauff is the overwhelming favorite to win the title in Rome ahead of a clash with Qinwen Zheng in the semifinals. “When I was younger, I always thought my best surface was hard, and then I got on tour, and I thought my best surface was on clay, and then the US Open, and I was like maybe it is hard!” Gauff told Tennis Channel. “But I don’t know, there’s something about clay that I have always felt comfortable on. I feel like this year, more than ever, I am moving the best that I have, especially so early in the clay season.” With the French Open looming, a championship on clay would be the best preparation. “It’s not really that much in my mind, cause I really want another Slam,” Gauff told Tennis Chanel when asked if being top of the rankings was in her sights. Madrid was Gauff’s first final of 2025Getty Gauff claimed victory at the French Open last year in the doublesGetty “It’s not something that I think about, I’d rather take away some more Slam trophies.” And there’s no reason why Roland Garos can’t be the place she picks up her second major. So far, she has two semi-finals and a final in Paris, along with a doubles title in 2024 — a decent return considering clay has often spelled trouble for American stars. Only three of Serena Williams‘ 23 single majors came at the French Open, and she remains the last American to win the title in Paris, back in 2015. On the men’s side, the drought is even longer, stretching back to 1999, when Andre Agassi beat Andrei Medvedev. Coco Gauff has beaten Swiatek in their last three matchesGETTY Players from the USA tend to struggle on the surface as a result of the lack of opportunities to play on the red clay used in European tournaments at a grassroots level. Many of the already limited number of clay courts in the United States are fast, low-bounce versions — the polar opposite of those in Europe. If Gauff can end her own drought in Italy, there is no re
Iga Swiatek has been a thorn in Coco Gauff’s side throughout their careers.
The rivals have played each other 15 times in their careers, despite being just 23 and 21 respectively, and it’s the Pole who has a commanding lead in their bouts with an 11-4 record in her favor.
However, the tide is slowly changing with Gauff claiming the last three matches, with the most recent win coming at the Madrid Open in early May.
Her record was once so lopsided towards Swiatek that the American joked she was scared about her head-to-head with the Pole becoming like Gael Monfils’ struggles against Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic has 20 wins and zero losses against the Frenchman.
“It feels good,” Gauff said after her first career win over Swiatek in August 2023.
“To be honest, I don’t know if I was thinking too far ahead. No offense to Gael, but I did not want that record, like the Novak and Gael record. I didn’t want that.”
There was one area in which Swiatek always dominated Gauff — on clay.
Before that win in Madrid against Swiatek, Gauff was 0-10 in sets played against the World No.2 on the surface.
Now that she has beaten Swiatek on clay, and in devastating fashion too, winning 6-1, 6-1, she admitted her perspective on her has changed.
“Yeah, I mean, I think for sure it changes some things when you maybe see someone who won Roland Garros that many times not having the best results,” Gauff said.
Swiatek has been in a bit of a slump in recent weeks, having not won a title in 2025 so far, and when she was thrashed by Gauff in Spain, scrutiny on her intensified.
The Pole is dubbed the Queen of Clay, having won each of the last three editions of the French Open — and 10 of her 22 WTA titles have come on her favourite surface.
Her vulnerabilities in 2025 were exposed again when America’s Danielle Collins clinched a 6-1, 7-5 victory at the Italian Open in the second round in a shocking upset.
Gauff was quick to remind everyone that Swiatek’s achievements mean it’s impossible to count her out.
“You also have to respect that she’s a four-time champion at Roland Garros. I always think if someone wins a tournament that many times, regardless of what shape they’re in, they can definitely figure out a way to win again,” she added.
“If I were to play her at French Open, I would throw away the results in Madrid, not even think about it, expect her to play her best tennis.”
Gauff is currently suffering a four-year drought for a title on clay, a surface she typically enjoys.
Her last came at the Emilia-Romagna Open in 2021 and she came close to winning another in Madrid this year but lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
However, with Sabalenka and Swiatek both out of the Italian Open, Gauff is the overwhelming favorite to win the title in Rome ahead of a clash with Qinwen Zheng in the semifinals.
“When I was younger, I always thought my best surface was hard, and then I got on tour, and I thought my best surface was on clay, and then the US Open, and I was like maybe it is hard!” Gauff told Tennis Channel.
“But I don’t know, there’s something about clay that I have always felt comfortable on. I feel like this year, more than ever, I am moving the best that I have, especially so early in the clay season.”
With the French Open looming, a championship on clay would be the best preparation.
“It’s not really that much in my mind, cause I really want another Slam,” Gauff told Tennis Chanel when asked if being top of the rankings was in her sights.
“It’s not something that I think about, I’d rather take away some more Slam trophies.”
And there’s no reason why Roland Garos can’t be the place she picks up her second major.
So far, she has two semi-finals and a final in Paris, along with a doubles title in 2024 — a decent return considering clay has often spelled trouble for American stars.
Only three of Serena Williams‘ 23 single majors came at the French Open, and she remains the last American to win the title in Paris, back in 2015.
On the men’s side, the drought is even longer, stretching back to 1999, when Andre Agassi beat Andrei Medvedev.
Players from the USA tend to struggle on the surface as a result of the lack of opportunities to play on the red clay used in European tournaments at a grassroots level.
Many of the already limited number of clay courts in the United States are fast, low-bounce versions — the polar opposite of those in Europe.
If Gauff can end her own drought in Italy, there is no reason why she can’t put 10 years of American struggles in France to bed.
