Iga Swiatek’s coach now explains what she was finding really difficult in her loss to Amanda Anisimova at the WTA Finals

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Iga Swiatek’s 2025 campaign on tour came to an end in the group stage of the WTA Finals.

The Pole enjoyed another fantastic season this year, adding three titles to her name, including a maiden Wimbledon championship.

She was looking to finish strong with a lengthy run at the year-end tournament in Riyadh, and got off to a promising start by beating Madison Keys in straight sets.

After falling to eventual champion Elena Rybakina in her second round-robin match, however, Swiatek then lost to Amanda Anisimova in a decisive clash, which denied her a place in the semifinals.

Reflecting on her performance in Saudi Arabia, Swiatek‘s coach, Wim Fissette, said what she found ‘difficult’ in her bout with Anisimova.

Wim Fissette reflects on Iga Swiatek’s last match at the WTA Finals

In an interview on the Program Tenisowy YouTube channel, Fissette explained: “It was a really close match. Just a few points decided who won the match and who lost it.”

Swiatek drew first blood against Anisimova in an opening set tiebreak, but her opponent fought back to clinch the victory, 6-7, 6-4, 6-2.

“I think the level of Iga was very high for a big part of it,” said Fissette. “She served well, but it was difficult for her to make a break during the whole match.

“You know, the conditions in Riyadh are fast. The balls were flying, so the first two shots [in a point] were extremely important.

“From the beginning, when we got there, I felt it was almost definitely a difficult surface, and a little bit better for the girls who like the one-strike tennis: Rybakina, Sabalenka, and Anisimova.

“It was definitely a good performance from Iga. With one or two points better, she could have won the match, but it happens. It is what it is.”

Iga Swiatek’s final appearance before the 2026 WTA season

While Swiatek’s season on the WTA Tour is over, she is set to make another appearance before kick-starting her 2026 campaign.

The 24-year-old will play for Poland in the Billie Jean King Cup playoffs and will face Romania and New Zealand between the 14th and 16th of November.

Swiatek did not represent Poland in the qualifier for the tournament in April against Switzerland and Ukraine following her loss to Alexandra Eala in the Miami Open quarterfinals, explaining that she needed to focus on herself.

Without the six-time major champion in the team earlier this year, Poland managed to beat Switzerland, but lost to Ukraine.

Now, Swiatek has enjoyed over a week off to rest and recover since bowing out of the WTA Finals, and will hope to lead her country to victory in the playoffs.