Iga Swiatek Sinks in WTA Rankings Before Roland Garros

Iga Swiatek has dropped to WTA World No. 5 ahead of Roland Garros 2025.
Iga Swiatek has dropped to her lowest spot in the WTA Rankings since 2022.
Iga Swiatek has dropped to her lowest spot in the WTA Rankings since 2022. | IMAGO / ABACAPRESS

The WTA Rankings have been updated following the Italian Open, and there were major shakeups at the top of the list. No player was more negatively affected than Iga Swiatek.

In the updated rankings released on May 19, Swiatek dropped three spots to World No. 5. The Polish superstar has hemorrhaged valuable rankings points as she has failed to defend her titles throughout clay court season.

Italian Open winner Jasmine Paolini (No. 4) and finalist Coco Gauff (No.2) joined Jessica Pegula (No. 3) in jumping over Swiatek in the WTA Rankings. It is Swiatek's lost ranking since 2022.

Iga Swiatek practices at Roland Garros.
Iga Swiatek is preparing for Roland Garros 2025. | IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Even worse, there will not be a chance for Swiatek to improve her standing before Roland Garros. Swiatek, the winner of the last three French Opens, must defend her title as the fifth seed.

The main draw has not yet been announced, but Swiatek is guaranteed to face a much more challenging path to the final.

After losing to Danielle Collins in the third round of the Italian Open, Swiatek shut down any speculation about Roland Garros.

She has since spent her long break practicing in Paris a full two weeks early. The official Roland Garros social media team has shared sneak peeks at Swiatek's training at Philippe Chatrier.

Iga Swiatek practicing at Roland Garros.
Iga Swiatek began practicing at Roland Garros on May 15, 2025. | IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Swiatek has not won a title, much less reached a finals match, since she won Roland Garros 2024 last June. Since then, the five-time Grand Slam champion has trudged through the roughest stretch of her career.

Over the past year, Swiatek has dealt with the doping scandal, subsequent ban, and a coaching change that has yet to pay off.

Four of Swiatek's five Grand Slam titles have come on the clay courts at Roland Garros, so she should always be considered a contender to win the tournament. However, her dark horse status for 2025 was unfathomable this time last year.

Roland Garros runs from May 25 - June 8. Stay locked into Sports Illustrated's Serve On SI for all of your tennis news from the court and beyond.

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Iga Swiatek refuted reports that she is considering skipping Wimbledon.

Carlos Alcaraz won the Italian Open and handed Jannik Sinner his first loss of 2025.

Jasmine Paolini beat Coco Gauff to win the women's 2025 Italian Open.


Published | Modified
Pat Benson
PAT BENSON

Pat Benson covers professional tennis for Serve on Sports Illustrated, reporting on ATP and WTA events worldwide. From Challenger tournaments to Grand Slams, he brings readers in-depth coverage, daily recaps, and exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in the sport. With a decade of experience in sports journalism, Pat is recognized as a trusted voice in tennis media. You can contact him at 1989patbenson@gmail.com.

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