Swiatek’s coach suffers Achilles injury during wager
Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek has reported that her new coach, Francisco Roig, suffered a torn Achilles tendon during a promotional event in Rome’s Piazza del Popolo, following a wager of €100 (£86), reports BritPanorama.
Roig, aged 58 and known for coaching prominent players such as Rafa Nadal and Emma Raducanu, injured himself while stretching for a volley during a practice session. Following the incident, Swiatek shared her disbelief, stating, “Yeah, I broke my coach’s Achilles.”
She detailed the circumstances of the injury, noting, “Basically, we’re having a practice on Piazza del Popolo. It was supposed to be a live practice… We made a bet for €100. I had 5-4 and the match point already. He did a split step and tore his Achilles.” The injury occurred on Saturday, and by Tuesday, Roig had already undergone surgery in Warsaw.
Despite this setback, Swiatek managed to secure victory against Caty McNally at the Italian Open and will face either Emma Navarro or Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the next round. The incident provides an unusual backdrop to her campaign at the tournament.
In light of recent discussions among elite players regarding prize money arrangements at grand slams, Swiatek is among a group expressing concerns over revenue distribution. They argue that prize money at Roland Garros this year will constitute less than 15 per cent of the tournament’s total revenue, a significant shortfall from the 22 per cent share they are advocating for.
During discussions, Aryna Sabalenka emphasized that players are the sport’s main attraction and deserve a larger share of earnings. Swiatek echoed this sentiment, indicating that their proposals have been reasonable, yet the adjustments in prize money remain inadequate. The prospect of a player boycott was raised, with Sabalenka affirming that it could become a necessary action if negotiations do not progress.
The incident with Roig adds a layer of complexity to Swiatek’s preparation for her matches, reminding fans how unpredictable sports can be, not just in competition but also in the realms surrounding it.
