Iga Swiatek hasn’t enjoyed the best of starts to her 2025 season, as she remains title-less, five months into the year.
The Polish WTA star won five ‘big’ titles in 2024 (Qatar Open, Indian Wells, Madrid Open, Italian Open, and French Open).
She has failed to hold on to four of those titles this time around, with Swiatek’s latest defeat to Danielle Collins ending her Italian Open title defence in the third round.
With the French Open less than a week away, many are doubting whether the three-time defending champion can retain her title.
Two tennis legends, Boris Becker and Andrea Petkovic, have shared their thoughts on Swiatek and questioned whether an early exit in Paris could see the world number five make a change to her coaching team.
Boris Becker and Andrea Petkovic agree Iga Swiatek and Wim Fissette might not ‘fit’ together
During the Becker Petkovic podcast, Becker suggested Swiatek could be set to part ways with her coach, Wim Fissette, before too long.
“So players are always perfect. The coach is always the bad guy,” he said.
“Do you think that the coach, if Paris doesn’t go well, does he still have a future?
“I wish her all the best. She is a young woman, and of course, I wish her the best. But I think Paris is crucial for where Iga Swiatek’s path is headed.”
Becker then gave his verdict on Fissette, reflecting on his coaching record.
“The coach is called Wim Fissette,” he said.
“He is one of the best tennis coaches in the world. He knows how to do it. He has coached Grand Slam Champions.
Wim Fissette’s coaching achievements
- 2 X US Open – With Kim Clijsters
- 1 X Australian Open – With Kim Clijsters
- 1 X Wimbledon – With Angelique Kerber
- 1 X US Open – With Naomi Osaka
- 1 X Australian Open – With Naomi Osaka
“Only sometimes, the chemistry between coach and player just doesn’t fit. That doesn’t mean he’s bad or has no idea. Sometimes the chemistry doesn’t work.
“Wim is far from a bad coach. But I think there will be a change after Paris.”
Former French Open semi-finalist Petkovic agreed with her fellow German, suggesting the pair just might not be the right ‘fit’ for each other.
“Maybe the coach is just not the right fit, and the things they’ve been working on didn’t work, or they’re unsettling her, she said.
“Sometimes it’s like that, she has too many thoughts in her head, no longer plays according to instinct, but waters the game.
“I think we’ll know more after the French Open.”
Petkovic did, however, praise Swiatek for her mentality, claiming she is a ‘champion’.
“I firmly believe that she is a champion,” she said.
“I believe that she also firmly assumes herself as a champion. That’s why she’s so upset right now. She sees herself as number one in the world. She sees herself as a Grand Slam Champion, which I really like.
“Many do not like it when players are so ambitious and also claim the number one spot for themselves. I like that because I think that’s the champion mentality you need to be at the top.
“I didn’t have that, so I know exactly what I was missing. That’s why I recognise it in others.”
Petkovic reached a career-high ranking of number nine in the world, and failed to reach a Major final, whereas Swiatek held the top spot for over two years, winning five Grand Slams.
| Player | Career-high ranking | Grand Slam titles | WTA titles |
| Iga Swiatek | 1 (125 weeks) | 5 | 22 |
| Andrea Petkovic | 9 | 0 | 7 |
Swiatek will certainly hope to add a sixth Grand Slam title to her collection and win her first title with Fissette as her coach when she takes to the court in Paris.
Iga Swiatek’s French Open unbeaten run
The Pole has won the previous three editions of the French Open, last losing a match at the event 1,442 days ago.
During her winning run, Swiatek took down several top stars in the women’s game, proving her dominance on the Parisian clay.
Current WTA top ten players Iga Swiatek has beaten at the French Open during her winning run
- #2 Coco Gauff – 2024 SF, 2023 QF
- #3 Jessica Pegula – 2022 QF
- #4 Jasmine Paolini – 2024 F
- #8 Qinwen Zheng – 2022 4R
Despite winning the last three French Open titles, she’ll return this year having lost on Court Philippe Chatrier less than a year ago.
Swiatek was beaten by Qinwen Zheng in the semi-finals of last year’s Olympic Games, 2-6, 5-7, as her 25-match unbeaten run in Paris came to an end.
She’ll no doubt look to return to winning ways when she takes to the court for her opening match at Roland Garros in 2025.
The 2025 French Open is scheduled to begin on Sunday, May 25.
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