Wim Fissette, one of the most respected coaches in the world of women’s tennis, has set an ambitious goal for his new charge, Iga Świątek: to make her an all-surface threat, not just a dominant force on clay. The Belgian coach, who has a track record of guiding players to Grand Slam success, including Naomi Osaka, Victoria Azarenka, and Simona Halep, now turns his focus to the five-time Grand Slam champion Świątek, who has already proven herself on clay but aims to expand her prowess on hard and grass courts. Fissette has wasted no time in sending a clear message to Świątek’s biggest rivals, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, warning that he knows how to prepare his player for any challenge they present.
Świątek’s decision to hire Fissette, following her split from long-time coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, marks a significant shift in her career. For the first time, the world No. 1 has chosen to work with a non-Polish coach. The change comes after a successful but perhaps stagnant partnership with Wiktorowski, as Świątek reportedly felt that her former coach could no longer help her develop her game further. Enter Fissette, a seasoned coach who has steered some of the biggest names in tennis to Grand Slam glory, most notably guiding Naomi Osaka to two of her major titles and having worked with a string of top-tier players like Halep, Azarenka, Kim Clijsters, and the rising star Zheng Qinwen.
Although Świątek remains the No. 1 ranked player in the world, her dominance has been largely confined to clay courts. Her extraordinary success at Roland Garros, where she has won three of her five Grand Slam titles, is undeniable, but her results on hard courts and grass have not matched that level of consistency. She has shown vulnerability on these surfaces, particularly over the last two seasons, where rivals like Sabalenka and Rybakina have exposed gaps in her game. Świątek is keenly aware of this, and with Fissette’s guidance, she is determined to turn things around.
“Our goal is for Świątek to start adding more Grand Slam titles on other surfaces as well,” Fissette stated in a recent interview with *Eurosport Poland*. “The clay-court season has its own twists. There are a lot of matches and tournaments played in a short period of time. You need to get into a rhythm, gain confidence, and after Paris, it’s time to switch to other surfaces. Then there will be an opportunity to work on playing on other surfaces and try to succeed there.”
This insight speaks to the methodical approach Fissette plans to take with Świątek, as he acknowledges the challenge of transitioning from clay to hard courts and grass, which requires both mental and tactical adjustments. For Świątek, mastering this transition could be the key to cementing her legacy as one of the greatest all-surface players in the game. Although she has had some strong performances on hard courts, including her U.S. Open triumph in 2022, consistency on faster surfaces remains an area for improvement.
Fissette brings with him an analytical, detail-oriented coaching style that Świątek believes can make a difference. “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 explained when discussing how elite players like Świątek approach competition. His strategy involves deep analysis of opponents, utilizing video footage and data to identify strengths and weaknesses. “How do I work? I have information, videos. I prepare my players, we discuss strengths and weaknesses, prepare tactically, and draw conclusions,” he elaborated.
In the case of Świątek’s two biggest rivals, Sabalenka and Rybakina, Fissette’s approach is no different. He’s well aware that Świątek will need to overcome these two in order to maintain her position at the top of the sport and continue adding Grand Slam titles to her resume. Both Sabalenka and Rybakina have posed serious challenges to Świątek, particularly on hard courts, where their power and aggressive styles have troubled the Polish star in recent matchups.
“In the case of tennis players like Aryna Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina, you make an analysis and look for a way to beat them,” Fissette said. His plan will likely focus on helping Świątek adjust her game to neutralize their power, improve her return of serve, and find ways to exploit their weaknesses. It’s a daunting task, but Fissette is no stranger to preparing players for the toughest of battles. His experience with Osaka, who faced similar challenges in defeating aggressive, power-hitting opponents, will likely be invaluable in helping Świątek navigate her most formidable adversaries.
Świątek’s 2022 season was a testament to her dominance, but as Fissette acknowledged, the competition has caught up with her in 2023 and 2024. Opponents have learned to adjust their tactics and have found ways to push her to the limit. Now, with Fissette in her corner, Świątek hopes to evolve her game further and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of women’s tennis. The Belgian coach’s expertise, combined with Świątek’s extraordinary talent and work ethic, could very well be the recipe for sustained success across all surfaces.
The partnership between Świątek and Fissette is still in its early stages, but the potential is immense. With Fissette’s track record of elevating players to Grand Slam victories and Świątek’s desire to continue growing as a player, the world of women’s tennis could be on the verge of witnessing the next great all-surface champion. As the competition intensifies and her rivals become even more dangerous, Świątek is poised to rise to the occasion, with Fissette’s guidance offering her the tools to thrive outside her clay-court comfort zone. The road ahead is challenging, but the goal is clear: to make Iga Świątek an unstoppable force on any surface.