By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, October 17, 2024
Picture credit score: Robert Prange/Getty
Iga Swiatek has chosen a well-recognized face as new coach.
World No. 1 Swiatek introduced she’s employed veteran Wim Fissette as her new coach.
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The announcement comes two weeks after Swiatek cut up with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, ending their extremely productive three-year partnership.
5-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek is coaching with Fissette for subsequent month’s WTA Finals in Riyadh.
“I am completely satisfied to announce that Wim Fissette is becoming a member of our staff,” Swiatek posted on social media. “As , I am getting ready for the WTA Finals however my perspective is, as all the time, long-term, not short-term. I mentioned many instances that my profession is a marathon for me, not a dash and I am working, working and making choices with this strategy.
“I need to say that I am very excited and searching ahead to working with Wim. He appears to have an incredible angle, imaginative and prescient and large expertise at a really high degree of tennis. It is all the time essential to try to get to know one another higher however we’re off to a great begin and I am unable to wait to compete quickly.”
The hiring represents a recent begin for each participant and coach.
Former No. 1 Naomi Osaka cut up with coach Fissette final month.
“4 years, 2 Slams and a complete lot of reminiscences,” Osaka posted on Instagram tales. “Thanks Wim for being an incredible coach and a fair better particular person. Wishing you all the perfect.”
Fissette initially coached Osaka from 2019 to July of 2022. The pair reunited late final yr as Osaka elevated her coaching after giving delivery to daughter, Shai, in July of 2023.
Although Osaka held match factors and almost toppled Swiatek at Roland Garros, she’s generally struggled to maintain consistency in her first full season again since changing into a mother.
The 23-year-old Swiatek is making an attempt to get again on observe following her US Open quarterfinal defeat to Jessica Pegula.
A highly-experienced coach, Fissette has labored with a number of Grand Slam champions, together with Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber, Simona Halep, Petra Kvitova and Osaka. The 44-year-old Fissette additionally coached Zheng Qinwen earlier than he returned to Osaka’s nook.
