The Billie Jean King Cup finals will be held in Malaga, Spain, from November 13-20. The Polish national team will be strengthened by Iga Świątek, who has already confirmed her participation in the event. For her, this will be her debut in the finals for the World Team Championship.
The dual role of Świątek’s new coach. The Belgian tennis player’s unequivocal voice on the “scandal”
At the same time, there will also be play-offs for the right to fight in next year’s Billie Jean King Cup tournament. On November 16 and 17, China will host Belgium in Kantor. The guests will arrive with their captain Wim Fissette, who recently became Iga Świątek’s new coach. The “scandal” with the dual function of the Polish coach and captain of the women’s national team is stirring up a lot of emotions among the Belgians.
“Since taking over as captain, Wim Fissette has never been able to count on Elise. It’s a delicate situation, especially when the captain is also the coach of a tour player. We somehow find ourselves in the awkward position of sitting next to a coach who manages a potential opponent. This creates a conflict of interest and can cause tension that is unhealthy and can influence the girls’ decisions,” former tennis player Dominique Monami stressed on the Belgian website dhnet.be .
Now Yanina Wickmayer has also spoken out on the matter – once the 12th player in the world, currently 746th in the WTA ranking. – I don’t see a problem. There are only two or three international matches a year, and Wim already knows everything about us. I would say that his presence on the tour is an asset for us. He prepares the tactical plans of his player’s opponents and therefore has a lot of information. Of course, when he is in the national team, he must fully concentrate on his mission, even if Belgium meets Poland – emphasized Wickmayer.
The 35-year-old has not played on professional courts in recent months and was not called up by Fissette for the match against China. “Wim has contacted me. However, I do not know yet what level I am at. Without playing at 100% and having a match rhythm, it would not be fair to take a place for a girl who has played all year. Wim agreed with my point of view. We will see in 2025, but I hope to represent my country again,” emphasized Wickmayer, a semi-finalist at the US Open in 2009.
