Iga Swiatek is ready to make her much-anticipated comeback at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, and she’s got a fresh wave of optimism. After parting ways with her former coach, Tomasz Wiktorowski, Swiatek took some well-deserved time off to recharge amid the whirlwind of the WTA tour. Now, she’s teaming up with Wim Fissette, the former coach of Naomi Osaka and Kim Clijsters. This collaboration aims to help her regain the momentum she had achieved earlier in the season. Adding to the excitement, WTA Finals Tournament Director Garbine Muguruza is stepping in as a guiding force for Swiatek and the other finalists at the event!

On October 28, Garbine Muguruza, the newly appointed director of the WTA Finals, shared her vision for the upcoming event. “I can bring the player’s perspective to the event. This is something the WTA didn’t have before in this tournament. Knowing what the players might need, might feel, being there for them, talking to them and making sure they have everything they need — that’s my job,” Muguruza was quoted as saying by the official website of WTA.

The former world No. 1 emphasized her ambition to elevate the finals to new heights earlier in an interview with Arab News as well on October 12, stating, “The objective is to make the finals the most glamorous and prestigious event because I think the players deserve it.”

Being a former two-time Grand Slam champion, Muguruza was a force on the court, clinching the French Open in 2016 and Wimbledon a year later. Additionally, she qualified for the year-end championships for the last time in 2021. Now, as tournament director, she’s channeling that experience into her new role. “I’m trying to bring everything I would like to see if I were a player,” Muguruza shared. She wants players to feel the energy of the crowd, the excitement of the music, and to truly “own the show.”

The competition among the top eight players is fiercer than ever. Elena Rybakina will be aiming for a strong comeback after ending her partnership with coach Stefano Vukov. Coco Gauff will make her third consecutive appearance at the event, more than eager to build on her recent success from the China Open. As the players prepare to face each other in such a high-pressure environment, Muguruza is determined to support them. “I definitely want to make the players feel so happy that when they leave from Riyadh, they’re going to be like, ‘This was a great experience,” she further added.

Coming back to Iga Swiatek, she is now sitting at No. 2 in the WTA rankings. While she’s ready to reclaim her spot at the top, Aryna Sabalenka has had ample time to prepare for their possible encounter. It’s going to be a cracker of a contest if these two players come across each other again. Swiatek won the WTA Finals last year beating Jessica Pegula with a scoreline of 6-1, 6-0. Putting up a fierce battle once again shouldn’t be a problem for her, despite a brief absence from the sport.

The Pole has been active on social media, sharing glimpses of her training with her new coach, which gives many hope that she can rise to the occasion in Riyadh. However, not everyone is optimistic about Swiatek’s chances.

Will Iga Swiatek take back the crown with Wim Fissette?

Ahead of a dramatic split with Tomasz Wiktorowski, Swiatek was struggling to maintain her momentum, particularly after her French Open victory. Now, with Fissette by her side, she’s ready to tackle the challenges ahead. Recently, she shared glimpses of their training sessions on social media, radiating positivity and excitement.

Swiatek has arrived in Riyadh to defend her title at the WTA Finals starting November 2. Her recent Instagram posts show her beaming alongside Fissette, supported by her psychologist and her hitting partner as well. It’s clear she’s building a strong team. However, some analysts are skeptical about the coaching change. Krzysztof Rawa noted that Fissette’s style resembles Wiktorowski’s, saying, “Fissette is also a kind of ‘laptop coach.”

Despite the doubts, Swiatek remains optimistic. She believes Fissette’s experience will help her improve. “I’m very excited and looking forward to working with Wim,” she said. “He seems to have a great attitude, vision, and huge experience at a very top level of tennis. It’s always crucial to try and get to know each other better but we’re off to a good start and I can’t wait to compete soon.”

As the finals approach, can Iga Swiatek rise to the occasion and end her year on a high note? Let us know in the comments below!