Iga Swiatek splits with coach, a bold choice

Women’s world number one, Iga Swiatek, has parted ways with her coach Tomasz Wiktorowski after three years. The 23-year-old is regarded as one of the best players currently playing in women’s tennis in the singles category, along with Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka.

According to her own high standards, Swiatek is going through a bit of a lean patch. The patch started at Wimbledon, as the reigning world number one failed to make the final of the last four events. Swiatek, who decided to withdraw from the China Open because of personal reasons, has now announced splitting up with her coach in a post on her official account on the social media platform.

"After 3 years of the greatest achievements in my career, together with my coach Tomasz Wiktorowski we decided to part way," she wrote. "I want to start with a big thank you and appreciating our work together."

Before withdrawing from the China Open, Swiatek participated in the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year — the US Open — where her journey ended in the quarterfinals as she lost to America’s Jessica Pegula in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-4. Before that, she came second-best in the Cincinnati Open semifinal against her closest rival in rankings, Sabalenka, in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-3.

Swiatek also participated in the Paris Olympics, where she won the bronze medal. She lost in the semifinal to China’s Qinwen Zheng in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 7-5. In the bronze medal match, she defeated Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-1. Swiatek’s most impressive result this year once again came at the Roland Garros, where she lifted the French Open title for the fourth time and third time in three years after beating Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-1.