Written by Richard Pagliaro | @Itenisi_Manje | Thursday, October 17, 2024
Photo credit: Robert Prange/Getty
Iga Swiatek he chose a familiar face as the new coach.
World No. 1 Swiatek has announced that it has hired a veteran Wim Fissette as his new coach.
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The announcement comes two weeks after Swiatek parted ways with the coach Tomasz Wiktorowskiending their highly productive three-year relationship.
Five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek is training with Fissette for next month’s WTA Finals in Riyadh.
“I am happy to announce that Wim Fissette has joined our team,” Swiatek wrote on social media. “As you know, I am preparing for the WTA Finals but my vision, as usual, is long-term, not short-term. I said many times that my work is my race, not a sprint and I am a sprint. to work, to work and to make decisions in this way.
“I want to say that I am very happy and looking forward to working with Wim. He seems to have a good mind, vision and great experience at the highest level of tennis. It is always important to try and get to know each other. It is better but we have started well and I can’t wait to compete soon.”
The hiring represents a new beginning for the player and the coach.
Former No. 1 Naomi Osaka parted ways with coach Fissette last month.
“4 years, 2 Slams and lots of memories,” Osaka wrote on Instagram. “Thank you Wim for being a great coach and a great person. I wish you all the best.”
Fissette began coaching Osaka from 2019 to July 2022. The two reunited late last year as Osaka stepped up her training after giving birth to a daughter, Shai, in July 2023.
Although Osaka held match points and almost edged out Swiatek at Roland Garros, she has struggled at times to maintain consistency in her first full season since becoming a mother.
The 23-year-old Swiatek is trying to get back on track following her US Open quarterfinal loss to Jessica Pegula.
An experienced coach, Fissette has worked with several Grand Slam champions, including Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber, Simona Halep, Petra Kvitova and Osaka. Fissette, 44, also coached Zheng Qinwen before returning to Osaka’s corner.
