Just when it seemed like everything was falling into place for Iga Świątek, a potential issue has emerged with her recent decision to appoint Wim Fissette as her new coach. After an incredibly successful three-year partnership with Tomasz Wiktorowski, which saw Świątek rise to World No. 1 and win four Grand Slam titles, she has decided to move in a new direction. The Polish star recently announced the end of her collaboration with Wiktorowski and, shortly thereafter, revealed that Fissette would be joining her team. However, while Świątek expressed optimism about the new partnership, not everyone shares her enthusiasm. An expert has warned that Fissette may not be able to live up to the high expectations surrounding his appointment.
Fissette is a highly regarded coach with an impressive résumé. Over the years, he has worked with several top-tier players, including Naomi Osaka, Simona Halep, Kim Clijsters, and Victoria Azarenka. His coaching career is decorated with successes, and he is known for his ability to formulate effective tactical strategies for his players. In a statement shared on social media, Świątek expressed her excitement about working with Fissette: “I’m happy to announce that Wim Fissette is joining our team. I’m very excited and looking forward to working with Wim. He seems to have a great attitude, vision, and huge experience at a very top level of tennis. It’s always crucial to try and get to know each other better, but we’re off to a good start, and I can’t wait to compete soon.”
Despite Świątek’s enthusiasm, not everyone in the tennis world is convinced that Fissette is the right fit for the World No. 1. One such skeptic is Lech Sidor, a commentator for Eurosport, who shared his concerns about Fissette’s coaching style during a live program on the Polish sports channel ‘Meczyki.’ According to Sidor, Fissette’s coaching approach may not be suited to what Świątek needs at this stage in her career. “Fissette was always a very good analyst. He made good tactical plans, but he didn’t get into technical nuances. He wasn’t a fan of big changes, he preferred to come a bit ready-made. He’s not a man who has been introducing a revolution so far,” Sidor explained.
Sidor’s primary concern is that Fissette’s coaching style could prevent Świątek from continuing her dominance in women’s tennis, particularly on the Grand Slam stage. “What will happen to Iga? I think that following a similar path may not be enough to maintain the level and continue winning Grand Slam tournaments,” Sidor warned. His critique centers around Fissette’s reluctance to fine-tune the technical aspects of his players’ games. This, Sidor suggests, could be problematic for Świątek, who, despite her remarkable achievements, still has areas of her game that could benefit from improvement, particularly when it comes to adapting her style on faster surfaces.
Fissette’s track record includes coaching several high-profile players, but not all of his relationships with them have ended on a positive note. Notably, his split with Naomi Osaka after her premature exit at the US Open raised eyebrows. Following their breakup, WTA star coach Rennae Stubbs publicly criticized Fissette, suggesting that financial disagreements played a significant role in the split. “He likes the money. I know for a fact. You know, some of the things that got him fired from other jobs was that he wanted more money,” Stubbs commented at the time.
Despite these concerns, not everyone is critical of Świątek’s decision to work with Fissette. Acclaimed tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg offered a more optimistic perspective on the new partnership. Rothenberg stated that Fissette had been his top prediction to become Świątek’s new coach and that he believes the pairing could yield positive results. Specifically, Rothenberg noted that Fissette has a strong track record of improving the serves of the players he works with, an area where Świątek has room for growth. “Wim Fissette was my main prediction to be Iga Świątek’s next coach, and I think he should be a great fit. He’s been especially good at strengthening the serves of his players, which I think is the area where Świątek has the most room to improve in her game,” Rothenberg stated.
Świątek’s decision to part ways with Wiktorowski came as a surprise to many, given their successful run together. Under his guidance, she not only ascended to the top of the WTA rankings but also established herself as a dominant force in the women’s game, winning four Grand Slam titles, including multiple French Opens, where she has been particularly dominant. However, Świątek has always been open about her desire to continue evolving as a player, and it seems she believes that Fissette is the right person to help her do that.
For now, only time will tell whether Świątek’s decision to bring Fissette on board will pay off. Her upcoming performance at the WTA Finals will provide the first glimpse into what this new partnership might yield in the long run. As the tennis world watches closely, expectations will be high for the reigning World No. 1 to maintain her form and continue her pursuit of Grand Slam titles.
In the meantime, Świątek remains focused on the future and excited about what lies ahead. With Fissette by her side, she will be looking to build on the tremendous success she has already achieved and solidify her status as the dominant force in women’s tennis for years to come. Whether Fissette can help her take that next step, particularly on faster surfaces like grass and hard courts, remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: the tennis world will be watching.