"He doesn't judge, he just helps" - Iga Swiatek commends coach Wim Fissette for sticking by her during doping row

Iga Swiatek spoke highly of her new coach Wim Fissette on Friday, January 10, ahead of the 2025 Australian Open. She announced the change when the International Tennis Integrity Agency was investigating her in a doping case.

The World No. 2 parted ways with her longtime coach Tomasz Wiktorowski and roped in celebrated coach Fissette. In response to a question from Sportskeeda in the press room at Melbourne Park on Friday, she touched upon Fissette's position on the doping controversy.

"I feel like he knows what I feel and he doesn't judge. He just helps me. So that's amazing," the five-time Grand Slam champion replied.

Sportskeeda asked Swiatek if the Belgian coach had been doing something specific to keep her from the noise. She replied:

"I don't think he needs to block me from the noise. This is something that I've been doing myself over the years anyway. But for sure, like, he's been really, really supportive and really understanding.

"Honestly, we've kind of moved on. When I hired Wim, I already knew that I'll be able to play normally. Yeah, so when I hired Wim, I didn't know. His support was something like really great and like extraordinary."

Swiatek tested positive for trimetazidine in September 2024 for a sample she provided a month earlier. She argued that it came from a contaminated dose of melatonin, a medication she consumes to keep her circadian rhythm in check. The ITIA ruled unintentional doping and banned her for a month.

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Iga Swiatek: "It was great for Wim Fissette to trust me"

Wim Fissette (L) with Iga Swiatek (Getty)

Answering the same question during the pre-tournament press conference at the 2025 Australian Open further, Iga Swiatek added:

"The suspension was lifted before the [WTA] Finals, and I already worked with Wim. But then we needed to close the case. We did that before the pre-season. I mean, ITIA did that before the pre-season."

The 23-year-old acknowledged Fissette putting his faith in her despite the ongoing problems.

"Yeah, with this uncertainty, I think it was great for him to trust me and to trust the process, as well. He was really supportive. I think overall he's a supportive person, really empathic even without any this extra issues on court," Swiatek added.

Swiatek will start her Australian Open campaign against Czechia's Katerina Siniakova in the first round playing her first Grand Slam under coach Fissette.