Iga Swiatek’s season has turn into very sophisticated in current months. The Polish participant didn’t get the outcomes she wished within the final a part of the season, whereas her nice rival Aryna Sabalenka raised her degree by profitable the WTA in Cincinnati and particularly the US Open.
The French Open champion appeared to be in hassle from all factors of view within the final interval and has skipped a number of tournaments worrying her followers. Regardless of current difficulties, the world no 1 has nonetheless received a Grand Slam title proving to be virtually unbeatable on crimson clay.
The inertia of Iga’s season modified on the Paris Olympics, the place she was the large favourite to win the gold medal. Swiatek has disillusioned expectations by having to accept the bronze medal and since that point she has not been in a position to play her finest tennis. A couple of days in the past, information was introduced that shocked tennis followers around the globe.
Iga needs one thing totally different
Swiatek introduced the top of her lengthy skilled collaboration along with her longtime coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, together with whom she has received 4 Majors, 9 WTA 1000 and the WTA Finals, in addition to being no 1 on the earth for over 120 weeks. After giving up enjoying the WTA in Beijing, Swiatek introduced that he won’t take part within the WTA 1000 in Wuhan. This resolution significantly jeopardizes her management within the WTA rating.
“Coach Wiktorowski joined my crew for 3 seasons, once I strongly wanted modifications and a recent strategy to my recreation,” Iga wrote. “His expertise, analytical and strategic angle and large information about tennis helped us to attain issues I’ve by no means dreamed of just a few months after we began working collectively.
“Our essential purpose was to turn into No.1 participant on the earth and coach Wiktorowski was the one who mentioned it first. We aimed very excessive, we headed to each match with a transparent purpose to win it. Along with coach Wiktorowski we received many tournaments and 4 Grand Slams. Coach, THANK YOU, I want you all the perfect,” Swiatek wrote. “I do know that you simply want to relaxation after these 3 years of onerous work and touring lots and spending some properly deserved time along with your family members and I hope you will get what you want.”
She additionally added: “Because of this vital change on my crew, I give myself a few weeks to start out a cooperation with a brand new coach. I am in the midst of first talks with coaches from overseas (non-Polish) as a result of I am able to take the subsequent step of my profession. I’ll let once I decide.”
Barbara Schett on Swiatek
The followers hope that the Polish participant will discover the correct serenity to shut in one of the simplest ways a 2024 that has given her a lot satisfaction.
Talking with Eurosport, Barbara Schett opened up on Swiatek’s present standing: “Iga Swiatek could also be primary on the earth, however she nonetheless needs to develop her recreation exterior of clay, for instance on grass and onerous grass. It should be acknowledged that this has probably not occurred within the final two years. She is on the lookout for one thing totally different, an out of doors look, as a result of at this degree, each element counts.
I’m not stunned she’s on the lookout for somebody from overseas and never Poland. She wants one other pair of eyes and totally different stimulation. I used to be very disillusioned by the best way she performed at Wimbledon and the US Open, the place she was so one-dimensional and couldn’t adapt tactically. She was speeding however probably not on the lookout for options. She will actually develop her recreation much more and be taught when to defend and when to maneuver ahead.”
If she will get good outcomes on this final a part of the season, Sabalenka has a great probability to overhaul Iga on the prime of the WTA rating. Until there are any surprises, the Polish participant must be within the WTA Finals. ATP legend John McEnroe additionally mirrored on Swiatek’s current difficulties: “For me, she doesn’t wish to play protection. Generally she ought to again up a bit when the assault doesn’t work in addition to she would really like, equivalent to on clay.
She continues to attempt to hit, which is considerably shocking for somebody who prefers a slower floor. I used to be somewhat stunned that she didn’t need or can’t make changes on the quicker surfaces. I don’t know if she had a drop in confidence, however should you noticed somebody like Iga defend in addition to she assaults, it will be onerous for the opponents to beat. I’m somewhat stunned she didn’t make that adjustment, however she’s younger and hopefully she will adapt and enhance a bit within the web.”
