Iga Swiatek’s former coach Tomasz Wiktorowski has finally broken his silence following their split as he also addressed suggestions the Pole’s psychologist Daria Abramowicz has too much influence on the world No 1’s decisions.
After a successful three-year partnership that yielded 19 titles – including four of the 23-year-old’s five Grand Slams – Swiatek took the tennis world by surprise at the beginning of August when she announced they have parted ways.
The statement was short as the Pole stated: “I want to start with a big thank you and appreciating our work together. Coach Wiktorowski joined my team for three seasons, when I strongly needed changes and a fresh approach to my game.
“His experience, analytical and strategic attitude and enormous knowledge about tennis helped us to achieve things I’ve never dreamed of only a few months after we started working together.
“Our main goal was to become No 1 player in the world and coach Wiktorowski was the one who said it first.
“We aimed very high, we headed to every tournament with a clear goal to win it.”
Some felt there was more to it than a case of a player simply needing to change things up, but even though the announcement came out of the blue, Wiktorowski has insisted it was not a shock.
“It was simply a necessity. We never made sudden and, above all, ill-considered decisions,” he told WP SportoweFakty.
Wiktorowski added: “There has been a great deal of speculation and insinuations… Definitely too much considering that the statement that was issued was very precise and defines our decision.
“You just need to read it with understanding, and not with the intention of looking for sensation. The end of our cooperation took place with respect for both parties and no fake news will change that.”
There had been suggestions – both in the past and after the coaching announcement – that psychologist Abramowicz wields too much power when it comes Swiatek’s decision-making, but Wiktorowski insists the whole team worked well together during his three years as coach.
“I believe that in general we had very good relationships in the team. During three years of intensive cooperation it is impossible to avoid difficult situations, but even then we always found a way to agree and come out on top,” he said.
“The priority for us has always been Iga and everything related to preparing a player at the highest level.”