'Always looking to improve' - Barbara Rittner applauds Iga Swiatek's drive ahead of the 2022 French Open

Iga Swiatek’s decision to part ways with her long-time coach and instead work with Tomasz Wiktorowski shows that she is “always looking to improve and take the next step.” The world No. 1 brought on Wiktorowski late last year, having been previously with Piotr Sierzputowski, who coached her during her 2020 French Open win. Ad/> “The decision was interesting.

Things were going really well, even with her young coach for many years,” said Barbara Rittner, former professional player, on Eurosport Germany's tennis podcast Das Gelbe vom Ball, ahead of the French Open. Roland-GarrosHow can 'Rafa-like' Swiatek be stopped? And who could do it?2 HOURS AGO “I think it's impressive that she made that decision at the age of 19 — after so much success. She is always looking to improve and take the next step." Swiatek will be heading to the 2022 French Open as one of the clear favourites.

She has reigned victorious in her last 28 matches, one of them being the Italian Open final where she beat Ons Jabeur in straight sets, taking home her fifth consecutive WTA title. “It's impressive how excellently and explosively she moves. She is the most agile and best player at the moment — powerful in her movement, but still with total ease,” said Rittner.

The rise and rise of Swiatek — and why this is just the start The remarkable stats behind Swiatek's incredible winning run World number one Swiatek pushed to the limit by Samsonova in Stuttgart semi “She almost doesn't let herself be pushed off the baseline and always tries to take the ball as it rises. She recognises the situation for this incredibly early. She has an unbelievable combination of physical conditions and this insane anticipation.