"I felt it's a good time for a next step": Iga Swiatek explains decision to change coaches

FLASHBACK: Swiatek closes out 2021 with round-robin win at WTA Finals

World No. 9 Iga Swiatek is back in familiar surroundings as defending champion in Adelaide this week, but she's still getting used to her new team.

Swiatek brought on a new coach, Tomasz Witkorowski, during the off-season. The 20-year-old from Poland had previously been coached by Piotr Sierzputowski, who had worked with her since she turned professional and helped her win the 2020 French Open.

"For a week I really had my doubts," she told press before the start of the WTA event at Adelaide. "A lot happened since we started. I felt it's a good time for a next step and a change to maybe, like, reset a little bit.

"But I'm pretty happy that Tomasz was free at the moment because, yeah, I also feel like I wanted to work with someone who's from Poland."

The 500 event marks the pair's first event as a team following what Swiatek describes as a successful pre-season training session.

"I think it's a great decision for me," said Swiatek. "Right now we're getting to know each other because we practiced in Poland for three weeks, so it's not a lot. For sure in tournaments it's a little bit different because we have different factors coming in and stress and stuff.

"I think next few tournaments I'm just going to use for getting to know each other. We're talking a lot about tennis, even off-court stuff. I feel like I just need some time to build that relationship."

Witkorowski was previously the coach of former No. 2 and Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska, and Swiatek says that is particularly useful since she is relatively new on tour herself.

"For sure I can see the experience. Even when we, like, not talking about specific stuff, about tennis, I can see that he's been through a lot on tour because he's been on tour for many years," she said. "That's for sure something that is giving me more comfort and stability."

The No. 5 seed, Swiatek began her title defense Tuesday with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over home favorite Daria Saville after 79 minutes. Awaiting her in the second round is 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez.