Despite her dedication to re-establishing her footing, Iga Swiatek’s season has been marked by coaching shifts and inconsistent performances, especially following an impressive first half of the year. As the Polish star struggled to maintain her momentum, a particularly challenging North American hardcourt swing contributed to a rocky season. After parting ways with her longtime coach, Tomasz Wiktorowski, Swiatek quickly brought on a new coach, the experienced Wim Fissette, who previously worked with Naomi Osaka. Yet, the partnership has received mixed reactions from the tennis world, and some insiders doubt whether Fissette will be able to provide the unique perspective Swiatek may need to enhance her game.
Swiatek’s tenure with Wiktorowski had been incredibly successful, yielding multiple WTA titles and propelling her to the top of the rankings. However, some analysts noted a pattern: while Swiatek excelled on clay courts, her performance on other surfaces left room for growth. Many believed that a coaching change might help her develop a more well-rounded game. This led to her surprising decision to work with Fissette, a respected figure in tennis known for his analytical approach. Despite Fissette’s credentials, tennis journalist Krzysztof Rawa recently expressed skepticism about the compatibility of this coaching change, arguing that Fissette may be too similar to Wiktorowski in coaching style to effectively address Swiatek’s needs.
In a candid interview with *Sport.pl*, Rawa voiced his concerns, stating, “I read in one of the articles that Wim Fissette is very different from Tomasz Wiktorowski. Well, I think the opposite – he is a very similar coach.” Rawa elaborated that Wiktorowski, while hesitant to cite influences, has acknowledged Fissette as one of his inspirations, appreciating the Belgian’s analytical mindset. Fissette, like Wiktorowski, is considered a “laptop coach,” a term used for coaches who prioritize data-driven strategies and analysis. According to Rawa, this similarity might limit Swiatek’s ability to push her game in new directions.
Rawa also mentioned that Swiatek might benefit more from a coach who can bring fresh and unconventional strategies to her training. “I think Iga could use a slightly different trainer profile,” he explained, suggesting that Swiatek requires a coaching style that balances analytical insight with adaptability and creativity. With Fissette, Swiatek may face the risk of falling into familiar patterns instead of exploring alternative approaches that could help her excel across various surfaces, especially the faster courts where she has traditionally struggled.
Adding to the complexity of Swiatek’s season is her recent dip in ranking. After 50 consecutive weeks as World No. 1, Swiatek lost her position to Aryna Sabalenka on October 21. Sabalenka has been in outstanding form, with strong performances in Cincinnati, New York, and Wuhan, surpassing Swiatek in the rankings by a narrow margin of 41 points. Former player CoCo Vandeweghe weighed in on Swiatek’s current standing during the *Tennis Channel Inside-In* podcast, expressing doubt that the Polish star will reclaim the top spot soon.
“She [Swiatek] hasn’t really played too much post-US Open, where you see people are trying to get some momentum back,” Vandeweghe commented. “I’m gonna drop Iga in that list. I think Iga, also, she’s having such a long season. There’s too many tournaments, yet you’re still playing. After the US Open, every player is fried.” She added, “I don’t think Iga’s gonna be able to retake the No. 1 ranking from Sabalenka even if she does win out. I could be wrong, and I’m happy to be wrong. There’s obviously commitments that WTA makes you play.”
Swiatek’s journey to regain her ranking will depend heavily on her performance in the upcoming WTA Finals in Abu Dhabi, where she will face off against the season’s top players. Not only will the tournament be a crucial test of her skills, but it will also be her final chance to gather the points she needs to close the ranking gap with Sabalenka. With 1,500 points up for grabs, Swiatek’s task in defending her title and reclaiming the World No. 1 position is formidable, especially given the intense field she will face in Abu Dhabi.
Beyond points, Swiatek’s season finale will offer a broader insight into her readiness to adapt her playing style and coaching relationship with Fissette. As she faces rivals who are equally driven to end the year on a high note, Swiatek’s performances may also reflect the impact of her coaching change. The expectations surrounding her new partnership are high, yet questions linger about how effectively Fissette’s influence will shape her future.
Swiatek’s recent struggles are not uncommon among top players facing transitions in both coaching and ranking. Her split from Wiktorowski and partnership with Fissette represent a strategic shift meant to address her vulnerabilities and improve her game beyond clay. Still, only time will reveal if the collaboration with Fissette will unlock new potential or if Swiatek will need to experiment further to enhance her adaptability on different surfaces.
For Swiatek, the challenges this season serve as a reminder that the path to long-term dominance requires continuous evolution. While her initial success under Wiktorowski brought her to the pinnacle of women’s tennis, her quest to expand her skills and maintain consistency across all court types may demand a more varied approach. The WTA Finals present an ideal opportunity to showcase how these recent adjustments are impacting her play, and whether she can effectively leverage Fissette’s expertise to challenge Sabalenka for the top ranking.
Ultimately, Swiatek’s resilience and commitment to growth will be tested as she heads into the final stretch of the season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if she can overcome the obstacles that have punctuated her year. With her eyes set on reclaiming the No. 1 ranking, Swiatek’s journey in Abu Dhabi may mark either a triumphant comeback or a learning phase in her evolving career.