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Tennis: Iga Świątek begins training for WTA Finals, her manager says

10.10.2024 10:30
Poland's Iga Świątek, the world's number one in women's tennis, has started training for the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, her manager has said.
Polish tennis player Iga Świątek.
Polish tennis player Iga Świątek.Photo: Darek Matyja/Polish Radio

Świątek's manager, Paula Wolecka, confirmed that the 23-year-old has been training with sparring partner Tomasz Moczek, and is being supported on the court by Poland's Fed Cup captain, Dawid Celt.

The Polish player last week announced she was ending her three-year partnership with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski.

Świątek's preparation for the season-ending WTA Finals event, which runs from November 2 to 9, follows her decision to withdraw from this week's Wuhan Open tournament in China.

Wolecka said that Świątek is actively searching for a new head coach from abroad, though no decision has been made yet.

In the midst of this coaching transition, Świątek’s participation in the Billie Jean King Cup remains uncertain, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

The final round of the competition, where Poland is set to face Spain in the quarterfinals, begins on November 13 in Malaga, just four days after the WTA Finals.

Świątek has skipped the past two editions of the Billie Jean King Cup due to scheduling conflicts with the WTA Finals.

Wolecka said: "No decision has been made yet regarding her participation."

Świątek’s most recent match took place on September 5, when she lost to Jessica Pegula of the United States in the quarterfinals of the US Open.

She is looking to finish the year strong, aiming for her fifth Grand Slam title in the near future, according to Wolecka.

Polish tennis player Iga Świątek. Photo: IAR/Henryk Leszczyński/Polskie Radio

Świątek is holding onto the top spot in the WTA rankings with a 1,069-point lead over Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus.

However, Sabalenka is close to overtaking Świątek, with the potential to secure the world No. 1 spot depending on her performance in the ongoing tournament in Wuhan.

Due to the WTA's complex scoring system, Sabalenka only needs to advance to the quarterfinals to take the lead.

The coaching situation remains a point of focus. Wiktorowski, who started working with Świątek in December 2021, helped her claim four Grand Slam titles, including three French Opens and one US Open.

Under his guidance, Świątek became the first Polish player to top the global rankings and has held that position for 124 weeks.

Wolecka said: "The recruitment process for a new coach is ongoing, and the details remain internal for now."

(rt/gs)

Source: PAP