Iga Swiatek has withdrawn from the upcoming Wuhan Open shortly after announcing the end of her three-year partnership with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski.

Wiktorowski joined Swiatek‘s team ahead of the 2022 season, having previously coached another Polish star — former world No 2 Agnieszka  Radwanska — from 2011 to 2018.

During her collaboration with the Polish coach, Swiatek won 19 of her 22 WTA titles, including four of her five Grand Slams (three French Opens and one US Open).

Swiatek reached world No 1 for the first time a few months after Wiktorowski’s arrival and held the ranking for much of the pair’s partnership.

The Pole also amassed a 37-match winning streak — the longest by a WTA player this century — during an outstanding 2022 campaign. Wiktorowski was voted WTA coach of the year for 2023 by his coaching peers.

In an Instagram post, Swiatek thanked Wiktorowski for helping her achieve things she “never dreamed of” after joining at a time when she “strongly needed changes and a fresh approach.”

“After three years of the greatest achievements in my career, together with my coach Tomasz Wiktorowski we decided to part way,” Swiatek wrote.

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“I want to start with a big thank you and appreciating our work together. Coach Wiktorowski joined my team for three seasons, when I strongly needed changes and a fresh approach to my game.

“His experience, analytical and strategic attitude and enormous knowledge about tennis helped us to achieve things I’ve never dreamed of only a few months after we started working together.

“Our main goal was to become No 1 player in the world and coach Wiktorowski was the one who said it first.

“We aimed very high, we headed to every tournament with a clear goal to win it. Together with coach Wiktorowski we won many tournaments and four Grand Slams.”

The world No 1 went on to reveal that her search to find a new coach is underway and explained she is looking outside of Poland.

“Due to this important change on my team, I give myself a couple of weeks to start a cooperation with a new coach.

“I’m in the middle of first talks with coaches from abroad (non-Polish) because I’m ready to take the next step of my career. I will let you know when I make a decision.”

Swiatek added: “Coach, THANK YOU, I wish you all the best. I know that you would like to rest after these three years of hard work and traveling a lot and spending some well deserved time with your loved ones and I hope you’ll get what you need.”

Following the coaching split, Swiatek announced her withdrawal from the WTA 1000 tournament in Wuhan, which will run from October 7 to 13.

“After an important change in my sports team, I decided to withdraw from the tournament in Wuhan,” Swiatek said in a statement.

“I’m really sorry for fans in China and those who wait to see me play, but I hope you understand that I need some time.”

The 23-year-old also pulled out of the ongoing 2024 China Open in Beijing — a WTA 1000 event she won in 2023.

Swiatek has not played since her quarter-final defeat to Jessica Pegula at the US Open last month.

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