Iga Swiatek knows her way around a tennis court. Her rankings and accolades prove it! While she finished as the year-end No. 1 last year, Swiatek bagged five titles this season, including a Grand Slam. Although she lost her top spot to Aryna Sabalenka in October, Swiatek remains a fierce contender. Her performance at the Billie Jean King Cup showcases this. Poland has not won the tournament in its 61-year history, but this year the team reached the semifinals under her leadership. Dawid Celt, Swiatek’s mentor, has shared the key ingredient in this.

In an interview with TVP Sport on November 24, Dawid Celt, the captain of the Polish team, praised her efforts in this year’s BJK Cup. He stated, “She is the undisputed leader of this team”. When asked why he didn’t guide her during breaks, Celt responded, “Iga needs fewer messages. She knows what to do on the court.” Celt acknowledged his role as a coach: “My role is to know when to speak up and when to be silent.”

After parting ways with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski in October, Swiatek turned to Celt for assistance during the WTA Finals. Though she exited early from that tournament, she thrived at the BJK Cup. She led Poland’s 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic, showcasing her skills in singles and doubles matches.

Even on her own, she’s a remarkable player, as her mentor phrased it, “She is the best girl in the world, now second in the ranking.” Despite not advancing far in the WTA Finals, the Pole’s season is impressive to look at. She clinched titles at Doha, Indian Wells, Madrid, Rome, and the Grand Slam, Roland Garros! Even with her No.2 ranking, she’s not one to go down easily. To set things straight, she didn’t just lose her top spot because of poor performance.

She was on hiatus from the Asian swing while she recovered from fatigue and having just split with coach Wiktorowski. Which gave Sabalenka an advantage to compete in more matches and grab the No.1 spot. So now, with new guidance from renowned coach Wim Fissette—who has trained stars like Naomi Osaka—Swiatek is gearing up for the 2025 season. She’s ready to tackle new challenges and reclaim her spot at the top!

Swiatek gets candid about her time off and her plans for the upcoming season

Iga Swiatek is ready to unwind after a whirlwind 2024 season. Starting the year as the world No. 1, she faced both triumphs and challenges. Swiatek claimed victory in five tournaments, including her fourth Grand Slam title at the French Open. However, a tough loss to Jessica Pegula at the US Open shifted her momentum. Following that setback, she took a break, parted ways with her longtime coach, and teamed up with Wim Fissette. Now, she’s looking forward to some well-deserved rest.

Swiatek returned to action at the WTA Finals but faced a tough lineup and was eliminated before the quarterfinals. Despite this, she showed her resilience by helping Poland reach the semifinals in the Billie Jean King Cup, where they ultimately lost to Italy. Reflecting on her season in an Instagram post, she expressed gratitude for her journey: “Thanks for this season. First and foremost I’m thanking myself and my team because it was another extraordinary year.” She acknowledged that while it wasn’t a perfect season, she finished with pride in her grit and accomplishments.

Ending the year ranked No. 2 behind Aryna Sabalenka, Swiatek has much to build on as she prepares for 2025. She’s eager to strengthen her collaboration with Fissette and tackle new challenges head-on. “I’m going to start the new season with some new goals,” she said, looking forward to her next challenge at the United Cup in December. With five Grand Slam titles and a wealth of experience under her belt, do you think Celt’s trust in Swiatek will allow her to get back into form? Share your thoughts in the comments below!