Amid ongoing doping row, Iga Swiatek makes 2nd major change to team in 2024 after coaching hire

Iga Swiatek has made yet another change to her support team amid the doping controversy that led to her one-month suspension. After linking up with a new coach in October, the Pole has now hired a new public relations manager.

Swiatek found herself in hot water after the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced in late November that the WTA star had accepted a one-month suspension. This came after she tested positive for the prohibited substance trimetazidine (TMZ) in September. Swiatek was initially suspended for three weeks after the 2024 US Open and later handed a month-long ban that will end on December 4.

Swiatek faced flak from fans on social media as well as many tennis insiders. In the aftermath of the ITIA report, the five-time Grand Slam champion has decided to make a major change to her team by replacing her public relations manager, Paula Wolecka, with Daria Sulgostowska.

Wolecka worked with Swiatek for four years and was responsible for managing the Pole's media interactions and social activities. Swiatek's new PR manager is a communications expert and a board member of the Polish Tennis Association. Sulgostowska said in a press release,

"Joining the team of Iga Światek, a person who sets sports and social standards, is an incredible distinction. As someone who has always been passionate about sports, especially tennis, and who also deals professionally with communication, I appreciate and greatly respect the image work done by the entire team so far."

The hiring of Daria Sulgostowska is the second big change made by Iga Swiatek in recent weeks. The 23-year-old parted ways with her longtime coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, with whom she had worked since 2021, and announced the recruitment of famed Belgian coach Wim Fissette on October 17.

Before coming on board Swiatek's team, Fissette worked with Naomi Osaka. He has guided many stars like Kim Clijsters, Angelique Kerber, and Osaka, to Grand Slam glory. Swiatek is the sixth World No. 1 that Fissette will coach.

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Wim Fissette lays out Iga Swiatek's toughest challenge in 2024

Wim Fissette and Iga Swiatek (Source: Getty)

Wim Fissette recently gave an insight into his plans for Iga Swiatek in an interview with the National. The Belgian coach highlighted Wimbledon as the "most difficult" slam for the Pole but held high hopes for her in grass tournaments next year, given her powerful hitting and returning capabilities.

He said,

"I think Wimbledon will probably be the most difficult Grand Slam for her to win, but I see potential. You look at some past champions, Simona Halep, Vondrousova… either you have great hitters, or you have some who move incredibly well on grass. Iga I think moves very well and can also hit the ball very hard. She has great return and I see things in her game that can be very positive for the grass season."

Wimbledon has been Iga Swiatek's most challenging slam. Her best showing in London was a quarterfinal appearance in 2023. She holds an 11-5 win-loss record at Wimbledon and lost here to Yulia Putintseva in 2024. Moreover, the World No. 2 has yet to win a title on grass.

Wim Fissette's addition could turn around Swiatek's fortune on grass courts, given his record at Wimbledon. He guided Sabine Lisicki to a runner-up finish at the tournament in 2013 before helping Simona Halep lift the trophy in 2018.