Iga Swiatek might be world No. 1 with a dominant record at Roland Garros, but her new coach Wim Fissette is keen for her to complete the Grand Slam set. The 23-year-old has struggled on faster surfaces and is yet to taste success at the Australian Open or Wimbledon. “Even when you’re number one in the world, it’s important to keep looking for things to improve,” Fissette told Eurosport.
Iga Swiatek has a new mentor in Wim Fissette and the experienced coach is already eyeing up more Grand Slam glory for the WTA superstar.
The 23-year-old world No. 1 has claimed five Grand Slams in the last five years, scooping up four of those on clay at Roland-Garros.
Fissette has tasted Grand Slam success six times during his time coaching Kim Clijsters, Angelique Kerber and Naomi Osaka respectively.
He has seen his players triumph at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, but one major evades him: The French Open.
The Belgian coach believes Swiatek can help him to complete the set, while he has his sights set on returning the favour by ending the Pole’s wait for Australian Open and Wimbledon titles on surfaces that have troubled her in the past.
“I’m really looking forward to experiencing the clay [at Roland-Garros] together with Iga,” he told Eurosport.
“I will learn from her and how she sees the clay and what makes her so special, the thinking process and all of that.
“Of course, we want her to stay as the ‘Queen of Clay’, but it will always be more difficult, she will be the main target who everyone wants to beat Iga on the clay. Everyone wants to be the Queen.
“Being more successful on the other grand slams is definitely a goal, to be maybe more comfortable on the faster surfaces.
“But again it’s not easy if you’re so successful on the clay and you play so many matches in a few weeks’ time and a quick turnaround on the grass, you need to get comfortable on the grass, confident in your game plan and movement.
“We’ll try different methods to find success there.”
Fissette: It’s important to keep looking for things to improve
Swiatek reigned supreme at the French Open in 2020 to claim her first major accolade at the age of 19, becoming the youngest player to win the tournament in 28 years.
Since then, she has become a dominant force on the professional circuit and has won 22 career titles. Fissette can already see where her game could be improved and although she is currently the world’s best player, believes she must continue to evolve if she is to grow with the game.
“I’m someone who always thinks long-term, and obviously, tennis always evolves,” Fissette added. “Everyone gets better every year, everyone finds ways to become better. Even when you’re No. 1 in the world, it’s important to keep looking for things to improve.
“I’ve coached a few times against Iga, so I have my vision on that but to have a clear view on where we have to go, I will need to get to know her better and spend some time with her on the court.” He added
“When something works you have to keep doing it, on the other hand, you need to keep evolving and that’s going to be really important.
“Iga has been a game-changer with her movement on the court, there has never been a player that has moved better on the court. It’s been really special to watch her play over the last two years.
“We have to spend time together, see how she sees things moving forward and how she sees herself evolving.
“We have to set some clear goals, I work a lot with data, and I’m just receiving all of [Swiatek’s] data right now and analysing them.
“It’s very easy to see the areas we need to improve.”
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