**Wim Fissette Opens Up About Victoria Azarenka’s Role During a Dark Phase in His Life**
Iga Swiatek’s coach, Wim Fissette, recently revealed how Victoria Azarenka played a crucial role in helping him overcome a difficult period in his life. The Belgian coach had initially decided to stay home when his wife was pregnant, but a call from the Belarusian star changed everything.
During his playing career, Fissette did not reach the top echelons of the tour. As a coach, he admitted on the *Inside In* podcast that earning respect in the locker room was a challenge, especially when compared to Hall of Fame players who transitioned into coaching. It took him time to fully believe in his place guiding some of the world’s top players.
Fissette credited Victoria Azarenka for supporting him through a pivotal moment. “One of the players that really kind of helped me with that was actually Vika [Victoria Azarenka]. It was a very important moment in my career where I almost made the decision to stay more home and not be on the tour again. My wife was pregnant at that time, and things didn’t go too well on the tour for me,” he said (from 21:20).
He recalled how Azarenka’s confidence in both him and his family — allowing them to travel with him on tour — showed him it was possible to balance coaching at the highest level alongside a stable family life. “And then I got a call from Vika, and I don’t know, she was so confident in me and also about my family, that my family could travel wherever they wanted, always could join me. And you know, that was really special. And Vika believed in me so much and that’s why also after she gave birth, I went back because we had such a great partnership. I really enjoyed that,” Fissette added.
Although he was not part of Azarenka’s Grand Slam victories, the duo worked together for a total of three years, spanning both her pre- and post-pregnancy periods.
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### Wim Fissette’s Coaching Career: From Early Success with Kim Clijsters to Iga Swiatek’s Wimbledon Triumph
Wim Fissette began his coaching career after serving as a hitting partner for Kim Clijsters. He quickly transitioned to coaching her and guided Clijsters to major success, including US Open titles in 2009 and 2010, as well as the Australian Open in 2011. Their partnership established Fissette as a rising star on the WTA tour.
Following Clijsters, Fissette worked with players such as Sabine Lisicki and Simona Halep, helping them reach deep runs in major tournaments. He then joined Victoria Azarenka’s team, coaching her until her pregnancy. After her maternity break, Fissette returned to help Azarenka regain her form.
In between his two stints with Azarenka, he coached Angelique Kerber, guiding the former World No. 1 to the 2018 Wimbledon title. Fissette later worked with Naomi Osaka, securing victories at the 2020 US Open and the 2021 Australian Open. He also coached Qinwen Zheng, producing strong performances before returning to Osaka’s team.
Most recently, Fissette began coaching Iga Swiatek, playing a key role in her impressive Wimbledon triumph.
Over the years, Wim Fissette has worked with multiple top players, consistently achieving major results and cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s most accomplished coaches.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-my-wife-pregnant-i-made-decision-stay-home-iga-swiatek-s-coach-wim-fissette-reveals-azarenka-pulled-darkest-phase