Iga Swiatek‘s competitive spirit remains strong despite a challenging end to her 2024 season. After parting ways with longtime coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, she teamed up with Wim Fissette following a disappointing exit from the US Open quarterfinals. Swiatek then withdrew from the Asian Swing to rest and prepare for the WTA Finals. Although she did not make it far in the tournament, the Pole rose to the occasion at the Billie Jean King Cup alongside team Poland, helping the team make it to the semifinals against Italy! Now that her season has wrapped up, what’s next for the Polish star?

After the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, she reflected, “Last year I struggled with it, so this year I think I progressed in that a lot, but it’s hard not to reflect on everything.” It’s been a tough few months for Swiatek. However, she claims that “the first part was pretty perfect,” having clinched five titles this season, including the Grand Slam at the French Open. But then came the “ups and downs.”

She struggled to maintain consistency and lost her No. 1 ranking after 122 weeks to Aryna Sabalenka. “I think this year it was easier for me to play as No. 1 and with a target on my back,” she noted, adding that she felt less pressure than when she first achieved the ranking. While she triumphed at Roland Garros, she faced significant defeats, including a semifinal loss at the Olympics—where she was a favorite for gold—and a quarterfinal exit at the US Open against Jessica Pegula. These matches took a toll both physically and mentally.

Then, Swiatek’s split with Wiktorowski was significant; they won four of her five Grand Slam titles together. Now, with Fissette—a legendary coach known for his analytical approach—she feels confident moving forward. The two have shared glimpses of their training on Iga’s Instagram page. However, her early exit from the WTA Finals and semifinal loss at the BJK Cup highlighted the need for more time together. “So I’ll need some time to analyse, because from the beginning, I was just going from tournament to tournament.”

Swiatek acknowledges that they need time to understand each other’s styles and improve her performance. She admitted, “We haven’t had time with Wim to practice a lot. So it’s going to be nice to try that.” Despite recent disappointments, she maintains a positive outlook: “I’m going to start the new season with some new goals, and I’m already looking forward to it.” Her next match will be at the United Cup in December.

She seems confident as Fissette aims to help Iga Swiatek secure more Grand Slam titles, recognizing her immense potential. However, her 2025 campaign will be challenging as she starts ranked No. 2 behind Aryna Sabalenka, who is also under pressure to maintain her top position.

Swiatek’s rival opens up about how she overcomes challenges on the court

With a record of 71 matches this year, Sabalenka achieved her goal of finishing as World No. 1. After a sensational season that included four titles—two Grand Slams at the Australian Open and US Open—she has truly proven her mettle. Last year, she narrowly missed this opportunity when Iga Swiatek claimed the top spot. This time, the Belarusian rose to the challenge and ultimately took down Swiatek in their fierce competition for the ranking.

In an interview with Arab News after her Year-End No. 1 trophy presentation, Sabalenka and her coach, Anton Dubrov, reflected on their journey. Dubrov remarked, “I don’t think you can hold the No. 1 ranking, to be honest,” highlighting that strong contenders like WTA Finals Champion Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina are always in pursuit of the top spot.

Despite the stress and fatigue that come with being an elite athlete, Sabalenka continued to shine. After battling a shoulder injury before Wimbledon, she bounced back to win both the Cincinnati Masters and the US Open. Coach Dubrov believes her success stems from her adaptability: “For her, it’s about finding the way to adapt to all situations.”

Following her US Open victory, Sabalenka reached the quarterfinals at the China Open but lost to Karolina Muchova in a tough match. Yet she didn’t let that setback define her; instead, she quickly rebounded by winning the Wuhan Open. Now, as we look ahead to 2025, will we see a new side to both Iga and Aryna? Share your thoughts in the comments below!