By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday November 1, 2024
Picture Supply: Matthew Calvis
As she ramps as much as play for the primary time since this yr’s US Open, issues will likely be very completely different on the floor for Iga Swiatek. Gone from her teaching field is Tomasz Wiktorowski, the person who helped information her to 4 of her 5 main titles. In is Wim Fissette, one other supercoach with a extremely regarded pedigree.
Talking to reporters forward of this yr’s WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Swiatek says that we shouldn’t anticipate an excessive amount of too quickly from the change – her choice was made with long-term progress in thoughts.
“I spent this time nonetheless enjoying tennis and for positive specializing in discovering new coach,” she stated of the time between as we speak and the top of her US Open, the place she misplaced to Jessica Pegula within the quarterfinals. “Making this transition, it is at all times difficult. For me it is a choice hopefully for years as a result of I take a look at my profession type of long-term.”
What kind of issues does the five-time Grand Slam champion and former World No.1 hope to be taught from Fissette?
“I believe it is type of apparent,” she stated. “I for positive need to enhance my serve, as I have been doing for previous years. I really feel like I nonetheless must proceed that. For positive I am not a whole participant. I believe tactically there are various methods I might go and have extra selection on courtroom. Wim has some good concepts.”
Swiatek, who’s 54-7 on the season with 5 titles, says she’s completely happy to take issues gradual. The true deep dive will occur within the pre-season leadup to the 2025 Australian Open.
“Actually for now we have simply been getting ready for this event and attending to know one another,” she stated. “The true adjustments, we will discuss them throughout the low season as a result of that is the correct time to do it. For now I have been making an attempt to simply be in the very best form for this event. Some technicalities, we will work on them within the pre-season.” The Hunt for No.1 a Non-Issue
The media likes the narrative of a duel for the No.1 rating on the WTA Finals. They’ve it this yr because the Pole might recapture the No.1 rating from Sabalenka by making a title run, however Swiatek says it isn’t necessary for her in the meanwhile.
Does she know what number of factors she must take again the highest spot from Sabalenka?
“I do not. I need to play the very best type of tennis. That is what I must do,” she stated, including: “She’s an important participant. She additionally type of deserves to be world No. 1. For positive I’ll battle for me to be in that place.”
