Iga Swiatek‘s recent split with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski has sparked new discussions among the tennis community. This decision has already affected Świątek’s plans. She withdrew from key tournaments, including the WTA 500 in Seoul, as well as the WTA 1000 events in Beijing and Wuhan. Giving an explanation for her immediate decision, Świątek shared, “After an important change in my team, I decided to withdraw from the tournament.” While Swiatek’s “first talks with coaches from abroad are already underway”, two tennis coaches are being mentioned as possible choices.

While Swiatek prepares for the WTA Finals in Riyadh, scheduled for November 2-9, one name doing rounds is of the Belgian coach Wim Fissette(per Sport.pl’s Lukasz Jachimiak). He has previously worked with top players, like Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka, Petra Kvitova, Angelique Kerber and, most recently, Naomi Osaka. However, former tennis player Joanna Sakowicz-Kostecka expressed reservations in a conversation with the Polish publication, saying, “I don’t think it’s a good choice at all.”

Whereas, renowned tennis expert Tomasz Tomaszewski has a different opinion. He suggested Coco Gauff’s ex-coach, Brad Gilbert, as the ideal candidate. “If I were Iga’s advisor, I would say without hesitation: Brad Gilbert. For me, he’s the best coach in the world,” Tomaszewski said.

Iga’s previous collaboration, which began in 2022, led to immense success, with Świątek winning 19 WTA titles, including four Grand Slam victories. During this period, she also achieved an extraordinary streak of 37 consecutive match wins, held the world No. 1 ranking for 123 weeks and won a Bronze medal.

With the WTA Finals just around the corner, fans are eagerly waiting to see if Świątek will choose a new coach before the tournament begins. Surprisingly, Iga Świątek’s recent split from coach Tomasz Wiktorowski has also highlighted the complexities of their professional relationship.

Iga Swiatek’s distance from ex-coach disclosed amid the discussions of her split

According to a report from the same publication, during the American hard-court swing, Świątek and Wiktorowski “regularly slept in other hotels, such as in Miami.” The report suggests that their bond was strictly professional and had no elements of a friendly connection. Journalists covering the American swing observed, “They didn’t go to coffee or dinner together. There was no special chemistry between them, but there were victories. It worked, and everyone was comfortable.”

This tension became particularly evident during the Olympic Games, where Świątek secured a silver medal. The pressure of the competition sometimes took a toll on their relationship. Reports also indicated that “he became nervous, used offensive words, and increasingly treated Iga harshly, such as in New York.” Along with that, it seems like their lifestyles were mismatched, as Wiktorowski “led a completely different lifestyle than Iga. Less sporty, let’s call it.”

The tennis community remains divided on the ideal candidate, but it’s clear that whoever steps in will have big shoes to fill after Wiktorowski’s success with Świątek.