Iga Swiatek hires Wim Fissette as her new coach

Iga Swiatek is hiring Wim Fissette to be her new coach, saying through social media on Thursday that she is bringing aboard somebody who has labored with an extended checklist of prime gamers that features Naomi Osaka, Kim Clijsters and Victoria Azarenka.

“I’m excited and motivated to start out a brand new chapter,” posted the No. 1-ranked Swiatek, who parted methods with Tomasz Wiktorowski two weeks in the past after three years collectively.

Swiatek hasn’t competed since Sept. 4, when she misplaced within the U.S. Open quarterfinals to eventual runner-up Jessica Pegula. Since then, Swiatek withdrew from the China Open and Korea Open.

Subsequent up for Swiatek is the season-ending WTA Finals, which will probably be held in November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“As you understand, I’m making ready for the WTA Finals however my perspective is, as at all times, long-term, not short-term. I stated many instances that my profession is a marathon for me, not a dash, and I’m working, working and making selections with this strategy,” Swiatek wrote on Thursday. “I need to say that I’m very excited and searching ahead to working with Wim. He appears to have an important perspective, imaginative and prescient and large expertise at a really prime stage of tennis. It’s at all times essential to attempt to get to know one another higher however we’re off to a very good begin and I can’t wait to compete quickly.”

Swiatek is 54-7 this season with 5 titles and about $7.5 million in prize cash. She received the French Open in June for her third consecutive title in Paris and fourth prior to now 5 years, elevating her profession haul to 5 Grand Slam trophies. 4 of these got here with Wiktorowski as her coach.

The 23-year-old from Poland additionally picked up a bronze medal on the Paris Olympics in August.

She will probably be attempting to carry off Sabalenka for the year-end No. 1 rating.

Fissette, who’s Belgian and Swiatek’s first non-Polish coach, had labored with Osaka most lately, and helped her win two of her 4 Grand Slam titles. He additionally was with Clijsters and Angelique Kerber for main championships. Different No. 1-ranked gamers Fissette has coached embody Azarenka and Simona Halep.