Iga Swiatek has joined forces with Wim Fissette in a major change to her coaching set-up ahead of the WTA Finals. Fissette, 44, is a veteran of multiple Grand Slam successes working alongside the likes of Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep and Naomi Osaka.
Swiatek ditched Tomasz Wiktorowski earlier this month despite winning four Grand Slam titles and reaching the top of the world rankings under his tutelage. The decision came off the back of a semi-final exit at the Cincinnati Masters and a quarter-final defeat at the US Open.
With time to consider her options while sitting out the Asian hard-court swing due to ‘fatigue’, Swiatek has chosen Fissette to mastermind her training as she bids to stay at the summit.
“I’m excited and motivated to start a new chapter,” the Pole wrote on social media. “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. I want to say that I’m very excited and looking forward to working with Wim.
“He seems to have a great attitude, vision and huge experience at the very top level of tennis. It’s always crucial to get to know each other better but we’re off to a good start and I can’t wait to compete soon.”
Since beginning his top-level coaching career with Clijsters in 2009, Fisette has worked with many of the biggest names in women’s tennis including Victoria Azarenka, Petra Kvitova, Johanna Konta and Angelique Kerber.
The first of two spells with Osaka began in 2020. And after a 15-month break, Fissette and Osaka reunited last year for a second stint which lasted until last month.
Osaka said her early exit at this year’s US Open was ‘rough’ as she was being worked particularly hard in training. But Fissette insisted they were onto something, writing on Instagram: “We were very close to a breakthrough.
“When you do the right things and keep hearing from peers you are in the right direction, it’s tough not quite getting it yet. As the coach, you keep trusting the process, knowing the lessons are getting you closer to the trophies.
“I accepted [Osaka’s decision] knowing we close this second run with more good memories and gratitude for building her way back.”
