World No. 1 Iga Świątek has made a significant coaching change by appointing Wim Fissette as her new coach, following her recent split with Tomasz Wiktorowski. This marks a pivotal moment in Świątek’s career as she prepares for the next phase of her tennis journey, keeping her eyes set on long-term success. The 23-year-old Polish star has expressed her excitement about the new collaboration, emphasizing her belief in viewing her career as “a marathon, not a sprint.”
Świątek had previously worked with Wiktorowski since before the start of the 2022 season, a partnership that led to tremendous success. During their time together, Świątek won 19 of her 22 WTA titles, including four of her five Grand Slam victories. The pairing saw Świątek rise to the pinnacle of women’s tennis, achieving her first World No. 1 ranking and establishing herself as a dominant force on the tour. The news of their split earlier this month came as a surprise to many, considering the tremendous success they had achieved together.
The decision to bring in Wim Fissette as her new coach has generated excitement and intrigue within the tennis world. Fissette is one of the most respected and experienced coaches on the WTA Tour, with an impressive track record of guiding top players to major titles. Most recently, he had been working with four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka before the two amicably parted ways last month.
Fissette’s coaching resume is nothing short of remarkable. He has worked with a host of elite players, many of whom have gone on to win or reach the finals of Grand Slam tournaments. His most notable success stories include coaching Osaka, Kim Clijsters, and Angelique Kerber to Grand Slam victories. In addition, he played a crucial role in helping Simona Halep and Sabine Lisicki reach major finals. Fissette has also worked with other top players like Victoria Azarenka, Petra Kvitova, Sara Errani, Johanna Konta, and Zheng Qinwen, making him one of the most well-rounded coaches on the tour.
In a social media post announcing her new coaching arrangement, Świątek expressed optimism and excitement about the next chapter of her career. She praised Fissette’s experience and vision, and underscored the importance of focusing on long-term goals.
“I’m excited and motivated to start a new chapter. I’m happy to announce that Wim Fissette is joining our team,” Świątek shared. “As you know, I’m preparing for the WTA Finals but my perspective is, as always, long-term, not short-term. I said many times that my career is a marathon for me, not a sprint and I’m working, operating and making decisions with this approach.”
The Polish star also spoke highly of Fissette’s approach to coaching, noting that his attitude and extensive experience at the top levels of the sport were key factors in her decision.
“I want to say that I’m very excited and looking forward to working with Wim. He seems to have a great attitude, vision and huge experience at the very top level of tennis. It’s always crucial to get to know each other better but we’re off to a good start and I can’t wait to compete soon.”
Świątek has not competed since the US Open and will make her return to the court at the WTA Finals in Riyadh next month. The prestigious year-end event will give Świątek the opportunity to defend her title, a challenge she will now face with Fissette by her side. Given the high stakes of the WTA Finals, it will be interesting to see how this new partnership performs under pressure and how quickly they can adapt to each other’s styles.
Meanwhile, Fissette himself recently reflected on his split with Naomi Osaka, sharing his thoughts on their journey together. In an Instagram post, the Belgian coach expressed his pride in the work they had accomplished and his disappointment that they couldn’t achieve a major breakthrough in their second stint together.
“I first started coaching Naomi in 2019, and it was truly a pleasure. More so to be part of the comeback journey, seeing her grow as a person, athlete, and now mother. A champion in many ways,” Fissette wrote. “We started from zero and developed week by week. In 15 years on tour, this was one of my best years working together with amazing people.”
Fissette went on to explain that, despite their best efforts, Osaka decided to move in a different direction after the US Open, but he remains grateful for their time together and optimistic about his future coaching endeavors.
“We were very close to a breakthrough. When you do the right things and keep hearing from peers you are in the right direction, it’s tough not quite getting it yet. After the US Open, Naomi decided to move forward with a new path. I accepted it knowing we close this second run with more good memories and gratitude for building her way back.”
Now, Fissette looks ahead to his new chapter with Świątek, and there is no doubt that the combination of Świątek’s talent and Fissette’s experience has the potential to be a powerful partnership. With the WTA Finals just around the corner, the tennis world will be watching closely to see how this new coaching team fares as they begin their journey together on the sport’s biggest stages.
As Świątek continues to build her career, her focus on the long-term and her willingness to make bold decisions—such as parting ways with Wiktorowski and bringing in Fissette—highlight her determination to maintain her status at the top of the game. The marathon continues for the young Polish star, and with Fissette by her side, the future looks incredibly bright.