Iga Swiatek’s former coach hits out at ‘fake news’ following split
Iga Swiatek and Tomasz Wiktorowski recently split after three years together, and now the latter has responded to ‘speculation’ about any fallout between the team.
Swiatek and Wiktorowski began working together at the end of 2021, going onto win four Grand Slam titles and nine WTA 1000 tournaments, enabling the Pole to hold the World No.1 ranking for 125 weeks and counting.
ROMAAAAAA🏆🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/oA9y7CkLiB
— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) May 18, 2024
However, their partnership came to an end two weeks ago when Swiatek announced that they would be parting ways in a statement on social media.
“After three years of the greatest achievements in my career, together with my coach Tomasz Wiktorowski we decided to part ways,” said Iga Swiatek. “I want to start with a big thank you and appreciating our work together.”
The 23-year-old continued, “Coach Wiktorowski joined my team for three seasons, when I strongly needed changes and a fresh approach to my game. His experience, analytical and strategic attitude and enormous knowledge about tennis helped us to achieve things I’ve never dreamed of only a few months after we started working together.
“Our main goal was to become No.1 player in the world and coach Wiktorowski was the one who said it first. We aimed very high, we headed to every tournament with a clear goal to win it. Together with coach Wiktorowski we won many tournaments and four Grand Slams.”
View this post on Instagram
This split has started much speculation, with Swiatek not competing since her quarter-final loss at the US Open, having withdrawn from tournaments in Seoul, Beijing and Wuhan.
And Wiktorowski has played down any sort of rift when speaking to Polish outlet Onet, “There has been a lot of speculation and insinuation… Definitely too much considering that the statement that was issued very precisely defines our decision. It is enough to read it with understanding, and not with the intention of looking for sensation. Our end of cooperation took place with respect for both parties and no fake news will change that.”
There have also been suggestions from some that Swiatek’s psychologist, Daria Abramowicz, may have played a role in the 23-year-old parting ways with Wiktorowski.
Although Wiktorowski has admitted there were sometimes ‘difficult situations’, the 43-year-old has claimed that matters were always resolved between the team.
“I think that we generally had very good relations in the team. During three years of intensive cooperation, it is impossible to avoid difficult situations, but even then we always found a way to reach an agreement and get back on track,” explained Wiktorowski. “Iga and everything related to preparing a player at the highest level have always been a priority for us.”
Swiatek is set to return to action at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, next month as she looks to hold off Aryna Sabalenka from taking the No.1 ranking away from her.
Inside the baseline…
Iga Swiatek announcing her split from Tomasz Wiktorowski definitely took many by surprise, so it is understandable that there has been speculation as to what caused it, especially as the statement seemed somewhat formal. However, Wiktorowski playing any rumours of a rift down should quieten this, and it will be interesting to see what his next avenue into coaching is. Even more interesting to see will be who Swiatek chooses as her next coach, as she suggested that it will be someone who is not Polish.
READ NEXT: Six Kings Slam winner to pocket record-breaking prize money
Join >> Receive $700/£600 of tennis gear from the Tennishead CLUB
Social >> Facebook, Twitter & YouTube
Read >> World’s best tennis magazine
Shop >> Lowest price tennis gear from our trusted partner
