Wim Fissette says what people get totally wrong about Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek after coaching them both

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Iga Swiatek has enjoyed a largely successful player-coach relationship with Wim Fissette since appointing him in October last year.

With Fissette in her corner, Swiatek became the Wimbledon champion after an incredible run at the All England Club, ending in a dominant win over Amanda Anisimova in the final.

The Belgian has also guided the world number two to her 11th WTA 1000 title this season, as well as the Korea Open crown.

Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Prior to his time with Swiatek, Fissette was the coach of Naomi Osaka, with whom he also recorded a number of triumphs, including two Grand Slam victories.

The 45-year-old recently compared the two WTA stars and claimed his experiences coaching them have been ‘completely different’.

Wim Fissette speaks on his time with Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka

Fissette had two spells with Osaka, the first of which was from 2020 to 2022, during which the Japanese star captured the US Open and the Australian Open.

Osaka reappointed Fissette in 2023, but parted ways with him again in September last season, a month before he was hired by Swiatek.

Discussing the two players in an interview on the ‘Inside-In’ podcast, Fissette said: “Going from Naomi Osaka to Iga, it’s a completely different style.

“I cannot even compare. Sometimes people ask me ‘aren’t they a bit similar, they are both a bit introverted’. I mean, both of them are a bit introverted, but that’s where it ends.

Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

“They are completely different players, and they need a completely different coaching style. I honestly really like that about my job, finding ways and getting to know the player.

“Listening to the player and, at the end, finding these ingredients that can help the player win these big titles.”

Naomi Osaka’s record since parting ways with Wim Fissette

After splitting with Fissette, Osaka hired the longtime coach of Serena Williams, Patrick Mouratoglou.

With Mouratoglou, Osaka’s struggles continued on the WTA Tour, with the four-time major champion bowing out in the early stages of the first three Grand Slams of 2025.

Australian Open – Third round exit Roland Garros – First round exit Wimbledon – Third round exit

She ultimately ended her player-coach relationship with Mouratoglou in July and hired Tomasz Wiktorowski.

Wiktorowski guided Osaka to the Canadian Open final, before helping her achieve her best Grand Slam finish in over four years.

At the US Open, Osaka made the semifinals of a major for the first time since the 2021 Australian Open and beat Coco Gauff en route.

Since then, the 28-year-old’s form has dipped slightly, having exited three tournaments in the early rounds during the Asian swing.