Iga Świątek has recently made a major decision in her career by appointing Belgian coach Wim Fissette to replace Tomasz Wiktorowski, marking a new chapter for the world No. 1. This coaching change follows Świątek’s impressive run under Wiktorowski, who guided her to four Grand Slam titles and helped her solidify her place at the top of the WTA rankings. Świątek’s move to hire Fissette is a bold step forward as she seeks to take her career to new heights after parting ways with her Polish coach in early October.
The decision to bring on Wim Fissette, a highly respected coach in the world of tennis, has sparked interest and speculation, as Fissette has a remarkable track record of working with some of the greatest female tennis players. But who exactly is Wim Fissette, and what makes him such a prominent figure in the sport?
### The Coaching Legacy of Tomasz Wiktorowski
Before delving into Fissette’s background, it’s important to acknowledge the success Świątek enjoyed under Wiktorowski. The partnership between Świątek and Wiktorowski began ahead of the 2022 season, and together, they achieved extraordinary success. Wiktorowski, a former coach of Polish tennis star Agnieszka Radwańska, played a key role in shaping Świątek’s game, enhancing her mental resilience and strategic play. During their collaboration, Świątek secured 19 of her 22 career WTA titles, including four Grand Slam victories at the French Open (2022, 2023) and the US Open (2022, 2023). Wiktorowski’s coaching helped Świątek ascend to world No. 1, a position she has held firmly.
However, by October 2024, Świątek felt it was time for a change. She cited her desire to “take the next step” in her career as a primary motivation for seeking a coach from abroad. After weeks of speculation, she finally landed on Wim Fissette, a coach with an impressive resume and a history of guiding top players to success on the biggest stages.
### Who is Wim Fissette?
Born on March 22, 1980, in Sint-Truiden, Belgium, Wim Fissette has long been passionate about tennis. His playing career, while modest, was enough to fuel his ambitions of becoming a top-tier coach. As a player, Fissette competed on the ITF Futures circuit in 1999 and 2000, reaching a career-high ATP ranking of world No. 1,291 in 1999. While his time as a player did not bring significant fame or fortune, it laid the foundation for his later success as a coach.
Fissette’s love for tennis began at the age of seven, and although he didn’t become a household name as a player, he pivoted into coaching, where his expertise flourished. On his official website, Fissette expresses his commitment to helping the world’s greatest players reach their full potential, a philosophy that has clearly guided his career.
### Fissette’s Coaching Credentials
Wim Fissette has built a stellar reputation over the years, coaching several of the biggest names in women’s tennis. His coaching résumé is packed with notable achievements, having worked with six world No. 1 players and helped secure six Grand Slam titles for his players.
Fissette first rose to prominence in 2009 when he became the coach of Belgian superstar Kim Clijsters. Clijsters had retired from the sport in 2007, but when she made a dramatic comeback in 2009, Fissette was by her side. Under his guidance, Clijsters won the US Open as an unranked wildcard just three tournaments into her return. She went on to defend her US Open title in 2010, claim the Australian Open crown in 2011, and briefly return to the No. 1 spot in the world rankings. Fissette’s success with Clijsters earned him recognition as one of the top coaches on the WTA Tour.
After his partnership with Clijsters ended, Fissette continued to work with other top players, guiding Sabine Lisicki to the Wimbledon final in 2013 and helping Simona Halep reach the 2014 French Open final. Over the years, Fissette has coached a who’s who of tennis stars, including Victoria Azarenka, Petra Kvitova, and Johanna Konta.
In 2017, he teamed up with Angelique Kerber, helping the German win her third Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2018. He then returned to work with Azarenka in 2019 before taking on Naomi Osaka in 2020. Fissette’s time with Osaka was highly successful, as she claimed her third and fourth major titles at the US Open (2020) and the Australian Open (2021) under his tutelage.
His recent stint with Zheng Qinwen in 2023 also demonstrated his adaptability, though he briefly left Zheng’s team to reunite with Osaka ahead of her anticipated comeback. However, the partnership ended once again in late 2024, opening the door for him to join forces with Iga Świątek.
### What Fissette Brings to Świątek’s Team
Świątek’s decision to hire Fissette suggests that she is ready to bring new dimensions to her game. Fissette’s extensive experience working with elite players from different eras of tennis means he understands how to refine and adapt a player’s game to compete at the highest levels. His track record speaks for itself, having guided multiple players to major victories and helping them navigate the psychological and physical demands of the sport.
The 44-year-old Belgian also brings a calm, analytical approach to coaching. Known for his attention to detail and ability to devise tactical game plans, Fissette is well-equipped to help Świątek manage the pressure of being world No. 1 while continuing to evolve her game. With Świątek’s immense talent and Fissette’s tactical expertise, this partnership could potentially extend her reign at the top of women’s tennis for years to come.
### What Lies Ahead
As Świątek prepares for the 2025 season, all eyes will be on how her new partnership with Fissette unfolds. With the Australian Open just months away, the duo will have to work quickly to build chemistry and develop strategies for the year ahead. But given Fissette’s history of immediate success with top players, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Świątek continue her dominance on the WTA Tour.
As for the world No. 1, she has made it clear that she’s hungry for more success. With Wim Fissette now in her corner, Iga Świątek’s journey toward even greater heights in tennis has only just begun.