In a revealing glimpse into the inner workings of Iga Świątek’s camp, her former fitness coach, Jolanta Rusin-Krzepota, has opened up about her abrupt departure from the team in 2019, a pivotal year that saw the young Pole break into the WTA top 50. Rusin-Krzepota, who now works with Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, described the exit as a necessity driven by a dysfunctional team dynamic following significant changes in Świątek’s setup. “After the US Open 2019, I resigned from the cooperation,” she said, reflecting on her decision to step away. “I felt that whatever I did, it wouldn’t help and I simply couldn’t work in such conditions.” Her candid remarks shed light on the challenges within Świątek’s team as the then-18-year-old began her ascent to global stardom.
Rusin-Krzepota’s tenure with Świątek spanned nearly four years, a period that laid the physical foundation for the player’s explosive all-court game. In 2019, Świątek reached her first WTA final at the Ladies Open Lugano and surged into the top 50, signaling her potential as a future star. However, the arrival of sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz that year reshaped the team’s structure, introducing new methods that disrupted the established workflow. “When successes started coming, the team was rebuilt,” Rusin-Krzepota explained. “New people appeared and some things simply did not work the way they should have.” She criticized the lack of communication and discussion around these changes, which she felt undermined the expertise of existing staff members. “I’m talking about undermining the position of other specialists in the team, their knowledge and experience,” she added, describing an environment where she felt like she was “fighting windmills.”
Despite her departure, Rusin-Krzepota emphasized her enduring affection for Świątek, now a five-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1. “I still have Iga’s best interests in mind, I still have a huge sentiment for her,” she said, careful to avoid harming the player she helped nurture. “She is still a very young girl and I would not want my statements to affect her in any way.” Rusin-Krzepota stressed the importance of maintaining healthy team relationships for the player’s benefit, noting, “Whoever joins the team—whether it’s a physiotherapist, psychologist, or dietician—is responsible for their areas for the good of the player and for maintaining nice and healthy relationships. Unfortunately, this was missing here.” Her comments suggest a clash of professional approaches that made collaboration untenable, prompting her exit after the 2019 US Open.
Świątek’s team dynamics have faced scrutiny before, particularly regarding Abramowicz’s influence, which has drawn criticism from some fans and analysts. Rennae Stubbs, Serena Williams’ former coach, recently pointed to Abramowicz as a factor in Świątek’s timid performance against Coco Gauff in the 2025 Madrid Open semifinals. However, Świątek has staunchly defended her psychologist, dismissing such claims as “false theories” in 2023. “These people know nothing about me or my life,” she said, emphasizing the professional boundaries she maintains with Abramowicz while valuing their personal rapport. “We set session times and work through specific things,” she added, noting they might share a meal or watch something together but keep work distinct.
Since 2019, Świątek’s career has soared, with four French Open titles and a US Open crown, though her 2025 season has been turbulent, marked by nine losses and a title drought. Her recent reunion with former coach Piotr Sierzputowski, who guided her to the 2020 French Open title, hints at a strategic reset as she prepares for Roland Garros. Rusin-Krzepota’s revelations offer a window into the growing pains of a young star navigating success and team changes, underscoring the delicate balance required to sustain excellence at the highest level.
# Iga Świątek’s Ex-Fitness Coach on Her 2019 Departure
## A Sudden Exit
Jolanta Rusin-Krzepota, Iga Świątek’s fitness coach until 2019, recently revealed why she left the Pole’s team after the US Open. “After the US Open 2019, I resigned from the cooperation,” she said. “I felt that whatever I did, it wouldn’t help and I simply couldn’t work in such conditions.” Her departure came as Świątek broke into the WTA top 50, marking a turning point in her career.
## Team Restructuring Challenges
Rusin-Krzepota, now with Marta Kostyuk, described a disrupted team dynamic after sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz joined in 2019. “When successes started coming, the team was rebuilt,” she said. “New people appeared and some things simply did not work the way they should have.” She criticized the lack of communication, stating, “I’m talking about undermining the position of other specialists in the team, their knowledge and experience,” which left her feeling like she was “fighting windmills.”
## Enduring Support for Świątek
Despite the split, Rusin-Krzepota holds no bitterness. “I still have Iga’s best interests in mind, I still have a huge sentiment for her,” she said, adding, “She is still a very young girl and I would not want my statements to affect her in any way.” She stressed the need for healthy team dynamics: “Whoever joins the team… is responsible for their areas for the good of the player and for maintaining nice and healthy relationships. Unfortunately, this was missing here.”
## Świątek’s Defense and Evolution
Świątek’s relationship with Abramowicz has faced scrutiny, with critics like Rennae Stubbs questioning the psychologist’s influence. Świątek, however, dismissed such claims as “false theories,” saying, “These people know nothing about me or my life.” Now working with Piotr Sierzputowski again, Świątek aims to regain her form at Roland Garros after a challenging 2025, highlighting the complexities of balancing team dynamics with her rise to tennis stardom.
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