Warsaw, October 5 (HS). World No. 1 Iga Swiatek pulled out of the Wuhan Open after ending cooperation with coach Tomas Viktorovski. Swiatek gave the above information in a statement on Friday.
The Polish player had registered for the WTA 1000 tournament, but on Friday, three days before its start, organizers were informed of her withdrawal. The world number 1 player is looking for a new coach.
“After three years of achieving the greatest successes in my career, coach Tomasz Wiktarowski and I decided to end our cooperation,” Swiatek wrote in a statement on Friday.
Wiktarowski gave the Polish player four Grand Slam titles.
“Coach Victorowski joined my team three seasons ago when I really needed a change and a new approach,” Swiatek said. His experience, analytical and strategic approach and vast knowledge of tennis meant that after a few months I started having successes I had never dreamed of. Our goal was to be number one in the world.”
On April 4, 2022, Swiatek became the first Polish woman in history to become the leader of the WTA world rankings. She held the lead for 75 weeks, and lost to Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka on September 11, 2023. After eight weeks, she returned to the top and has been leading ever since.
In early September, the 23-year-old lost to Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals of the US Open. She then withdrew from the tournaments in Seoul and Beijing.
“Because of this important change for me, I am giving myself the next few weeks to begin working with a new coach,” Swiatek said. Talks are already underway with coaches abroad, as I feel I am ready for the next step in my career. When I take a decision, I will let you know.”