Iga Swiatek, the former world No. 1, has made the surprise decision to part ways with her coach, Wim Fissette, following a disappointing early exit from the Sunshine Double tournament series. The split comes on the heels of Swiatek’s unexpected defeat to fellow Pole Magda Linette, who won the match 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, marking the end of Swiatek’s remarkable streak of 73 consecutive opening-match victories that dated back to 2021.
Swiatek, who had brought Fissette on board in October 2024, expressed gratitude for the time they spent together. “After many months with my coach, I have decided to take a different path,” she stated, acknowledging Fissette’s contributions to her game. “Wim, thank you for your time and for the lessons you have taught me. I wish you all the best.”
Under Fissette’s guidance, Swiatek enjoyed one of the most successful periods of her career, culminating in a spectacular triumph at Wimbledon in 2025. During that tournament, she only dropped one set, famously delivering a double bagel to Amanda Anisimova in the final match. Furthermore, the Polish star continued her winning ways by securing titles in Cincinnati and Seoul.
However, since her victory in Seoul, Swiatek has encountered difficulties in maintaining her winning momentum. She has failed to advance past the quarterfinals in seven subsequent Tour-level events, with notable losses including a quarterfinal exit against Elena Rybakina at the Australian Open and a defeat to Elina Svitolina at Indian Wells.
Fissette took to social media to convey his sentiments regarding their collaboration. He reflected on their journey together, highlighting the significant moments they shared, particularly their Wimbledon championship win. “In 2018, I met Iga at the Wimbledon Champions Dinner after she won the juniors. Seven years later, we won it together. A nice story,” he wrote. Fissette also extended his gratitude to Swiatek’s fans, especially the Polish community, whom he praised for their fervent support of the sport.
In recent performances, Swiatek’s game has seemed to falter, especially with her heavy topspin forehand, which has led her to frequently switch racquets in search of better control. Her frustration evident on court raises questions about her readiness to tackle the upcoming challenges on the WTA Tour.
As Swiatek embarks on this new phase of her career, the tennis world will be watching closely to see how this change impacts her game and her pursuit of future titles.
