World No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland announced a split with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski on Friday after a three-year partnership.
Swiatek won four of her five Grand Slams, 19 of her 22 career titles and an Olympic bronze medal in Paris while working with Wiktorowski, who was voted WTA Coach of the Year by his peers in 2023.
“After 3 years of the greatest achievements in my career, together with my coach Tomasz Wiktorowski we decided to part way,” Swiatek posted on Instagram. “I want to start with a big thank you and appreciating our work together.”
Swiatek, 23, began working with Wiktorowski at the end of the 2021 season. Their time together also included her 37-match win streak in 2022, the longest streak of the 21st century.
“Coach Wiktorowski joined my team for three seasons, when I strongly needed changes and a fresh approach to my game,” Swiatek wrote. “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 4 Grand Slams.”
Swiatek, who withdrew from this week’s China Open, cited the change in her sports team as a reason to withdraw from next week’s Wuhan Open.
“I’m really sorry for fans in China and those who wait to see me play, but I hope you understand that I need some time,” she said.
Swiatek said the break with Wiktorowski was a mutual and amicable decision.
“Coach, THANK YOU, I wish you all the best,” Swiatek wrote. “I know that you would like to rest after these 3 years of hard work and traveling a lot and spending some well-deserved time with your loved ones and I hope you’ll get what you need.”
–Field Level Media
The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired All-Star first baseman Josh Naylor from the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday in exchange for right-handed pitcher Slade Cecconi, multiple sources reported. Cleveland will also receive Arizona’s…
The Calgary Flames scored three goals in the second period and held off a late rally to defeat the visiting Chicago Blackhawks 6-4 on Saturday in Calgary. Trailing 5-3, Ilya…
For the second consecutive fight, Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury needed the judges’ scorecards, as Usyk won a unanimous decision to retain the WBA, WBO and WBC heavyweight championships Saturday…
Flames build four-goal lead, hold off late Blackhawks rally
Oleksandr Usyk keeps titles from Tyson Fury in heavyweight rematch
Baseball world reacts to passing of Rickey Henderson
Oilers score late in regulation, early in OT to beat Sharks