World number one Iga Swiatek is currently seeking a new coach after parting ways with Tomasz Wiktorowski following three successful seasons together. Their collaboration began in 2022, a pivotal time when Swiatek was an emerging star with just one Grand Slam title under her belt. Under Wiktorowski’s guidance, the 23-year-old Polish player soared to new heights, claiming an impressive four additional Grand Slam titles, which notably included three consecutive victories at the French Open.
Swiatek’s ascent was historic, making her the first Polish player to hold the world number one ranking in April 2022, a remarkable accomplishment that she has maintained for a total of 123 weeks. Despite this success, Swiatek recently announced that she has started the conversation with potential new coaches and will take a few weeks to carefully consider her next appointment. This period of reflection aligns with her decision to forgo participation in the ongoing China Open, where she withdrew due to personal matters.
“After three years of the greatest achievements in my career, together with my coach Tomasz Wiktorowski we decided to part ways. I want to start with a big thank you and appreciating our work together,” Swiatek wrote on Instagram.
“His experience, analytical and strategic attitude and enormous knowledge about tennis helped us to achieve things I’ve never dreamed of only a few months after we started working together.”
In her initial year with Wiktorowski, Swiatek achieved significant victories at both the French Open and the US Open, showcasing her remarkable skill and determination on the court. Notably, 2022 was marked by a historic 37-match winning streak, the longest achieved by a woman in this century. However, despite her incredible successes, the recent hard-court season brought some disappointment, as she exited the Australian Open in the third round and faced a quarterfinal loss at the US Open to Jessica Pegula.
In talking about her split with Wiktorowski, Swiatek acknowledged that he would appreciate the opportunity to spend more time at home after three extensive years of traveling, suggesting that this decision also signals a pivotal moment for her as she explores the prospect of working with a non-Polish coach. Piotr Sierzputowski, who previously coached her through her teenage years, has been a significant figure in her development, and Swiatek has previously expressed that she often feels more at ease when surrounded by individuals who share her language and cultural background.
Interestingly, it has now been four months since Swiatek last won a title, a notable gap for a player of her caliber. She has been absent from competitive play since her defeat at the US Open and will also miss the upcoming tournament in Wuhan, citing a substantial change within her coaching team as a contributing factor to her absence.
Swiatek has voiced her concerns about the relentless nature of the professional tennis circuit, particularly the increasing number of mandatory tournaments on the WTA Tour, which can create a challenging environment for players. Consequently, she has elected not to represent Poland in the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup Finals, leaving the WTA Finals next month as potentially her only opportunity to compete before the year concludes. As she navigates this transitional phase in her career, the tennis world eagerly anticipates her next moves both on and off the court.
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