Iga Swiatek, the current world No. 1 and five-time Grand Slam champion, has officially announced a significant change in her coaching team, marking a new chapter in her already illustrious career. The Polish star has hired renowned Belgian coach Wim Fissette, who recently ended his collaboration with former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka. Swiatek’s decision comes after she parted ways with her long-time coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, who had been an instrumental figure in her success over the past three seasons. The decision has sent ripples through the tennis world, as fans and pundits alike speculate on how this new partnership might shape her future.
Wim Fissette, a highly respected figure in women’s tennis, brings a wealth of experience to Swiatek’s team. Over the years, Fissette has worked with some of the game’s top players, including Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, and Simona Halep, helping guide them to Grand Slam titles and top rankings. His reputation as a tactician with a deep understanding of the game makes him an exciting addition to Swiatek’s camp. The 22-year-old Polish player is looking forward to working with Fissette, as she prepares for the upcoming WTA Finals and plans for the long-term development of her career.
In a social media post, Swiatek expressed her enthusiasm for the new partnership, saying, “I have some news for you today. I have to say that I am excited and motivated to start a new chapter in my career. I am happy to announce that Wim Fissette will be joining our team. As you know, I am preparing for the WTA Finals, but this is a long-term choice, not a short-term one. I have said many times that my career is a marathon, not a sprint, and I am working and making decisions with that in mind. I am very excited to work with Wim. He has great knowledge of the game and a lot of experience at the highest level of tennis. We need to get to know each other better, but we are off to a good start and I can’t wait to get back on the court and play.”
Swiatek’s decision to bring Fissette into her team also reflects her desire to improve her performance on faster surfaces, where she has struggled in comparison to her dominance on clay courts. While Swiatek has been nearly unbeatable during the clay swing, her performance on hard courts, especially after her 2022 US Open victory, has seen a noticeable decline. Moreover, grass has remained a surface where her game has not fully clicked, and she has faced several early exits at Wimbledon in recent years. With Fissette’s guidance, Swiatek aims to diversify her game and become more competitive on all surfaces, particularly as her main rival, Aryna Sabalenka, continues to improve on both hard and clay courts.
Sabalenka has narrowed the gap between herself and Swiatek in the WTA rankings, and the year-end No. 1 ranking will be at stake during the WTA Finals. Sabalenka’s game has become more consistent across different surfaces, making her a formidable contender for the top spot. This puts additional pressure on Swiatek to adapt her game beyond her comfort zone of clay. If she wants to maintain her status as the world’s top player, she will need to develop tactical variations and adjust her playing style on faster courts. With Fissette’s track record of coaching players to success across all surfaces, this collaboration could be exactly what Swiatek needs to elevate her game to the next level.
Swiatek’s recent announcement also formally ended her three-year partnership with Tomasz Wiktorowski, the coach who played a pivotal role in her rise to the top of women’s tennis. Under Wiktorowski’s guidance, Swiatek achieved remarkable success, including four of her five Grand Slam titles and multiple other WTA titles. In her farewell message to Wiktorowski, Swiatek expressed her gratitude for his contributions to her career, noting how he brought fresh perspectives and strategies to her game when she needed it most.
“After three years full of great successes, we have decided to part ways,” Swiatek wrote in a heartfelt message. “I want to start with a big thank you and appreciation for the work done together. Coach Wiktorowski joined my team when I was in dire need of changes and a new approach to my game. His experience, analytical and strategic attitude, and his huge knowledge of tennis helped us achieve things I would never have dreamed of just a few months after we started working together. Our main goal was the top of the rankings, and he was the first to say it and believe in it. Together, we won many tournaments, including four Slams. All this was possible thanks to the whole team, including my fitness trainer and physiotherapist Maciej Ryszczuk and my psychologist Daria Abramowicz.”
Swiatek’s message highlighted the respect and admiration she has for Wiktorowski, wishing him well in his future endeavors as he takes time to rest and spend time with his loved ones. She also acknowledged that this coaching change was a significant step, but necessary as she continues to evolve her game and reach new heights in her career.
This transition marks a critical moment for Swiatek, who at just 22 years old, is already considered one of the dominant forces in women’s tennis. The partnership with Wim Fissette could provide the tactical insight and experience she needs to solidify her place as the sport’s top player across all surfaces. As she prepares for the WTA Finals and looks ahead to the 2025 season, fans will be eager to see how this new coaching relationship impacts her game. Will Fissette be the key to unlocking Swiatek’s potential on hard and grass courts, allowing her to stay ahead of rivals like Sabalenka? Only time will tell, but the excitement surrounding this new chapter in Swiatek’s career is undeniable.