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 12 months’s US Open, issues shall be very totally 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 12 months’s WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Swiatek says that we shouldn’t anticipate an excessive amount of too quickly from the change – her determination was made with long-term progress in thoughts.
“I spent this time nonetheless enjoying tennis and for certain specializing in discovering new coach,” she mentioned of the time between at present 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 tough. For me it is a determination hopefully for years as a result of I have a look at my profession form of long-term.”
What sort of issues does the five-time Grand Slam champion and former World No.1 hope to study from Fissette?
“I believe it is form of apparent,” she mentioned. “I for certain need to enhance my serve, as I have been doing for previous years. I really feel like I nonetheless have to proceed that. For certain I am not an entire participant. I believe tactically there are numerous methods I might go and have extra selection on court docket. Wim has some good concepts.”
Swiatek, who’s 54-7 on the season with 5 titles, says she’s pleased to take issues sluggish. The actual deep dive will occur within the pre-season leadup to the 2025 Australian Open.
“Truthfully for now we have simply been making ready for this match and attending to know one another,” she mentioned. “The actual adjustments, we’ll discuss them through the low season as a result of that is the correct time to do it. For now I have been making an attempt to only be in the perfect form for this match. Some technicalities, we’ll 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 12 months because the Pole might recapture the No.1 rating from Sabalenka by making a title run, however Swiatek says it isn’t vital 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 perfect form of tennis. That is what I have to do,” she mentioned, including: “She’s a terrific participant. She additionally form of deserves to be world No. 1. For certain I will combat for me to be in that place.”
