Iga Swiatek, the current world No. 1 in women’s tennis, has added a new chapter to her career by hiring Wim Fissette as her coach, a decision that has caught the attention of the tennis world. Fissette, a renowned Belgian coach who has worked with some of the sport’s greatest talents, including four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, has made headlines with his bold proclamation that Swiatek is “probably the best tennis athlete of all time.” His high praise comes as he takes on the challenge of working with Swiatek, who has already established herself as a dominant force in women’s tennis with five major titles to her name at just 23 years old.
The collaboration between Swiatek and Fissette was confirmed on Thursday, following the Pole’s split from her previous coach, Tomasz Wiktorowski, earlier this month. Swiatek expressed her excitement about the partnership, emphasizing her long-term vision for her career. In a social media post, she wrote, “I’m excited and motivated to start a new chapter. I’m happy to announce that Wim Fissette is joining our team. 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.”
Swiatek’s words underscore her measured approach to her career, one that has already seen her rise to the pinnacle of the sport with a blend of mental toughness, technical mastery, and a desire for continuous improvement. The decision to bring Fissette on board reflects her commitment to maintaining that upward trajectory, especially as she prepares for the WTA Finals and the upcoming 2025 season.
### Wim Fissette’s Impressive Resume
Wim Fissette is no stranger to coaching elite talent. Over the course of his career, he has guided numerous top-tier players on the WTA Tour, including Naomi Osaka, Kim Clijsters, Angelique Kerber, and Victoria Azarenka, all of whom have achieved significant success under his tutelage. His ability to work with top-ranked players and guide them to Grand Slam victories has made him one of the most sought-after coaches in tennis. The fact that Swiatek, the reigning world No. 1, has chosen to work with him speaks volumes about her ambitions and the trust she places in his expertise.
In an interview with *Belga*, Fissette shared how the opportunity to coach Swiatek came about. “Her manager contacted me about ten days ago. He wanted to know if I was interested and available,” Fissette revealed. “After the end of my collaboration with Naomi [Osaka], I was hoping to receive a call from another player, and if possible from someone like Iga. It’s obviously a great honor. And very special to be able to coach a world No. 1.”
Fissette did not hold back when discussing Swiatek’s abilities, going so far as to call her “probably the best tennis athlete of all time.” His admiration for her game is evident, as he highlighted her speed, defensive capabilities, and the heavy spin she generates on her shots, making her a formidable opponent. “Iga is very fast, defends extremely well, is very solid. And she puts a lot of spin on the ball, which makes it difficult for her opponents,” Fissette added.
### Areas for Improvement
Despite his high praise, Fissette also acknowledged that there are areas of Swiatek’s game that can be improved. “I hope to be able to improve her game, because there are certainly some aspects that can be improved,” he said. “It will probably take a little time, because I will have to get to know her. We have not set any real goals yet. We will not have much time before the Masters (WTA Finals), but we will try to achieve the best possible result. It will be especially during the preparation for the 2025 season that we will be able to work well.”
This pragmatic approach reflects Fissette’s experience in working with top athletes. He understands that immediate results may not always be possible, especially when taking over a player’s coaching during a crucial part of the season. However, his emphasis on long-term development aligns perfectly with Swiatek’s own philosophy of viewing her career as a marathon rather than a sprint.
Swiatek’s decision to bring in Fissette at this stage of her career is particularly intriguing, given her relatively recent rise to prominence. Since bursting onto the scene with her first Grand Slam title at the French Open in 2020, Swiatek has been a dominant force on the WTA Tour. Her aggressive baseline game, coupled with her mental fortitude, has made her a tough opponent on any surface. But like any elite athlete, Swiatek understands the importance of evolving her game to stay ahead of the competition, and Fissette’s track record suggests that he is the right coach to help her achieve that.
### Looking Ahead: The WTA Finals and Beyond
Swiatek’s next challenge will be the WTA Finals in Riyadh, where she will compete against the best players in the world. Although her preparation time with Fissette will be limited before the tournament, the pair will be looking to make the most of their collaboration in the weeks leading up to the event. Swiatek, who has not played since her quarter-final exit at the US Open, will be eager to finish the season on a high note and head into the 2025 season with renewed momentum.
For Fissette, the WTA Finals will offer a valuable opportunity to observe Swiatek in high-pressure situations and begin implementing any tactical adjustments they have discussed. However, it is clear that both coach and player are focused on the long-term, with the 2025 season seen as the period where they will be able to fully develop their partnership.
As Fissette put it, “It will be especially during the preparation for the 2025 season that we will be able to work well.” This patience and long-term planning will likely serve Swiatek well as she continues to build on her already impressive career.
### Conclusion
The new partnership between Iga Swiatek and Wim Fissette marks an exciting chapter in the world No. 1’s career. With Fissette’s wealth of experience coaching some of the biggest names in tennis, and Swiatek’s relentless pursuit of excellence, this collaboration has the potential to further elevate the Polish star’s game. As both coach and player take a long-term approach, the tennis world will be watching closely to see how this dynamic partnership unfolds, beginning with the WTA Finals and continuing into the 2025 season and beyond.