Iga Swiatek has surprised even her coach with 2022 progress

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A delighted Iga Swiatek

Tomasz Wiktorowski says that he is surprised with how quickly Iga Swiatek has implemented improvements to her game.

Wiktorowski is not wholly surprised by how well she did but feels that her work ethic is something that should be celebrated.

He felt that she exceeded the expectations he had for her when he first started coaching Swiatek back in 2021.

“She kept up the high level she showed at the beginning. There were no major wobbles. Everything was on a level that could previously only be dreamed of,” said Wiktorowski, speaking to Polish publication Sport.pl.

“To be honest, I didn’t expect her to be able to implement these little things so soon, like correcting her forehand swing, return position or changing the distribution and direction of her shots,” he said. “From a technical point of view, Iga has improved her serving most this year. I can confirm this with the numbers.”

Wiktorowski revealed that Swiatek is setting out to add another dimension to her game in the coming season.

“We’re working a lot on slice right now, forehand and backhand. Also on the volley. A drop shot is played with a move like a slice,” said Wiktorowski.

Swiatek hasn’t been entirely all business in her off-season taking time away from more serious training to hit with world championship-winning Polish cyclist, Michal Kwiatkowski.

“Meet my new talented hitting partner,” Swiatek wrote in a caption to an Instagram showing the Polish sporting heroes together. “One thing is sure… footwork was solid.”

“Great afternoon with Iga Swiatek and her amazing team,” wrote Kwiatkowski, who pinned the post to his own Instagram page. “Happy to hit some tennis balls (and miss all the serves).

“Fingers crossed for your season and hope to see you at some bike race.”

Swiatek has also enjoyed a recent Caribbean getaway stopping in at A Belmond Hotel resort on the island of Anguilla.

On an Instagram post including a photo from a postcrad worthy beach she wrote: “My dream vacation after two years of work, challenges and good moments when my life changed a lot.

“One of the things that hasn’t changed (and there are more of them) is… I still find peace surrounded by nature.”

Swiatek won two Grand Slams in 2022 and few would bet against her adding to her three career Majors in the 2023 season.

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