Tennis-Swiatek's coach tears Achilles in 100-euro bet gone wrong

Iga Swiatek's new coach Francisco Roig suffered a ​torn Achilles tendon during a promotional ​event in Rome's Piazza del ‌Popolo, all ​for a wager of 100 euros ($118) with the world number three. The 58-year-old Roig, who has coached players such as Rafa ‌Nadal and Emma Raducanu, injured himself while stretching for a volley during a practice session in one of Rome's iconic public squares.

"Yeah, I broke my coach's Achilles," fourth seed Swiatek told ‌reporters after she beat Caty McNally in her first match at the Italian Open ‌on Friday. "Basically we're having a practice on Piazza del Popolo. It was supposed to be a live practice... We made a bet for 100 euros.

"I had 5-4 and the match point already. He did a ⁠split step ​and tore his ⁠Achilles. It happened on Saturday. On Tuesday, he had surgery already in Warsaw. We kind of took care ⁠of him." Roig, who took over as Swiatek's coach last month after she split with Wim Fissette, showed ​remarkable composure despite the serious injury, fooling both Swiatek and onlookers.

"I would (have) burst ⁠out crying, I would make such a drama. His face was normal," Swiatek added. "I thought he was joking ⁠at ​the beginning. My hitting partner thought he was joking as well."

The Spanish coach flew back to Poland for surgery but missed just one practice session and was back ⁠in Rome for the start of the tournament, wearing a cast on his leg and ⁠moving around on crutches. "He ⁠really wanted to be back, not to take time off," Swiatek said. "I really appreciate that he's here because for sure it's not ‌easy for him."

($1 = ‌0.8495 euros)

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