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Tennis: Retired pro Wojciech Fibak weighs in on Iga Świątek's split with coach

04.10.2024 19:00
Former Polish tennis player Wojciech Fibak has commented on Iga Świątek's decision to part ways with her coach of three years, Tomasz Wiktorowski, saying that the split was not Wiktorowski's fault.
Tomasz Wiktorowski has ended his three-year collaboration with Iga Świątek. This archival photo captures him during one of Świąteks training sessions ahead of the Olympic tennis tournament.
Tomasz Wiktorowski has ended his three-year collaboration with Iga Świątek. This archival photo captures him during one of Świątek's training sessions ahead of the Olympic tennis tournament.PAP/Adam Warżawa

Fibak voiced optimism that Świątek, the world's top-ranked female player, would soon return to form and perform well at the WTA Finals in Riyadh in early November.

In an interview with public broadcaster Polish Radio, Fibak said that recent results had been below expectations for Świątek, her coach, her team and her fans.

He added that while Świątek "is still fighting hard, she has lost some of the consistency" that once defined her game.

Fibak also told Polish Radio that the split between Świątek and Wiktorowski had been anticipated for some time, saying it was "in the air."

However, he said he remains hopeful that this change will lead to a positive outcome for the Polish world No. 1.

According to Fibak, after three intense years, Wiktorowski "deserved a break" because the life of a professional coach or player may appear enjoyable from the outside, but it often comes at the cost of missing out on connections with loved ones, something Wiktorowski "greatly missed."

Świątek won four Grand Slam titles and an Olympic bronze medal under Wiktorowski. As she now seeks a new coach from abroad, Świątek looks to take the next step in her career.

In the meantime, she has withdrawn from the WTA 1000 tournament in Wuhan and the entire autumn Asian season due to fatigue and personal reasons, marking a pause in her competitive play since September 5.

Former tennis player, Polish businessman, collector, and art patron Wojciech Fibak at the opening of an exhibition at the Fibak Gallery in Warsaw (PAP/Radek Pietruszka) Former Polish tennis player Wojciech Fibak is also known for his work as a businessman, art collector and patron of the arts. This photo (PAP/Radek Pietruszka) shows him at the opening of an exhibition at the Fibak Gallery in Warsaw.

Fibak, a former professional tennis player, is known not only for his ATP singles and doubles titles but also for his ventures as a businessman, art collector and patron of the arts, making his voice a significant one in Polish sports and culture.

(mp/gs)

Source: IAR/PR24/PAP


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