World number one Iga Swiatek’s recent coaching change has been making headlines, as she aims to improve her game and solidify her dominance in women’s tennis. The 23-year-old, already regarded as one of the sport’s top talents, has brought on veteran coach Wim Fissette to help elevate her performance, especially when it comes to facing close rivals such as Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff. Swiatek’s decision to make this change comes on the back of what she considers a disappointing stretch in recent tournaments, where she fell short of her own high expectations.
Swiatek’s most recent appearance at a major event was at the 2023 US Open, where she was surprisingly knocked out in the quarterfinals by America’s Jessica Pegula. In a match where Swiatek was heavily favored, she lost in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, marking a rare occasion where she was outplayed on a hard court. The defeat was not just a setback in terms of the tournament but also a blow to her confidence, as she had hoped to extend her reign at the top of women’s tennis.
Following the US Open exit, Swiatek made the decision to take a break from tennis, opting to skip two high-profile WTA 1000 events: the China Open and the Wuhan Open. While her absence allowed her body and mind time to recover, it also gave her rivals, most notably Aryna Sabalenka, an opportunity to close the gap in the WTA rankings. As it stands, Swiatek leads Sabalenka by a razor-thin margin of just 69 points in the race for the year-end number one ranking, making the upcoming events critical in determining who will finish the year on top.
In the midst of this break, Swiatek made the decision to part ways with her longtime coach, Tomasz Wiktorowski, a move that raised eyebrows within the tennis community. After enjoying significant success under Wiktorowski, including four Grand Slam titles, the decision to move on from a winning partnership was seen as a bold but necessary step for Swiatek, who is seeking to expand her success beyond clay courts.
Enter Wim Fissette, a highly respected coach with a track record of guiding top-tier talent to Grand Slam victories. Fissette has previously worked with some of the biggest names in women’s tennis, including Naomi Osaka, Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep, and Victoria Azarenka. His experience, particularly in helping players achieve success across different surfaces, is what makes him an ideal candidate to guide Swiatek into the next phase of her career.
In a recent interview with *Tennis365*, Fissette shared insights into his approach with Swiatek, emphasizing that their primary goal is to prepare her to win more Grand Slam titles on various surfaces, not just clay, where she has already proven her dominance. “Our goal is for Swiatek to start adding more Grand Slam titles on other surfaces as well,” Fissette said. “The clay-court season has its own twists. There are a lot of matches and tournaments played in a short period of time. Top players want to play big matches, that’s their main motivation. They usually don’t have problems with it, it makes them happy.”
Fissette’s comments reflect a clear understanding of what drives elite athletes like Swiatek. The challenge for the Polish star isn’t just about maintaining her form but also evolving her game to consistently challenge and beat her closest rivals on all surfaces. While Swiatek has already won five Grand Slam titles, four of those have come on clay, a surface where she feels most comfortable. The challenge now is to replicate that success on hard and grass courts, where players like Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, and Coco Gauff have posed the most significant threats to her dominance.
Fissette’s methodical approach involves studying the strengths and weaknesses of these top competitors and devising strategies to exploit them. “How do I work? I have information, videos. I prepare my players, we discuss strengths and weaknesses, prepare tactically and draw conclusions,” he explained. “In the case of tennis players like Aryna Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina, you make an analysis and look for a way to beat them.”
This level of preparation and analysis is critical as Swiatek faces off against a highly competitive field. Sabalenka has emerged as one of her fiercest competitors, particularly on hard courts, where the Belarusian’s power game often gives her an edge. Meanwhile, Rybakina and Gauff have also posed challenges for Swiatek, with both players showing they can beat the world number one on faster surfaces. Fissette’s task will be to refine Swiatek’s game in such a way that she can consistently handle the unique threats posed by each of these players.
As Swiatek gears up for the year-end WTA Finals, where she will face off against the top eight players in the world, her partnership with Fissette will be put to the test almost immediately. The tournament, set to be played on a hard court, will be a crucial opportunity for Swiatek to demonstrate that she has the tools and mindset to succeed beyond her favored clay courts. With Sabalenka, Gauff, and Rybakina all expected to compete, the WTA Finals will serve as a litmus test for how well the new coach-player duo is working together.
While it remains to be seen how quickly Swiatek will adapt to Fissette’s coaching style and strategies, the Polish star has made it clear that she is committed to continuing her growth and evolution as a player. With the right guidance and a renewed focus, Swiatek has the potential to not only maintain her position at the top of the women’s game but also to expand her dominance across all surfaces, cementing her legacy as one of the greatest players of her generation.
Hi @CincyTennis 👋🏼 pic.twitter.com/euhgC4oOu7
— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) August 15, 2024