"It wasn't easy" - Iga Swiatek's father Tomasz opens up about steering clear of 'crazy parents committee' and understanding his role in Pole's team
Iga Swiatek's father Tomasz has opened up about the importance of avoiding blurring the lines between his parental role and his involvement in the World No. 1's coaching team. The 60-year-old disclosed that while navigating the process was difficult, he had come to appreciate his familial role in the setup.
The World No. 1's father is no stranger to professional sports. A rower himself, Tomasz represented Poland in the men's quadruple sculls event at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, finishing in seventh place. He also took on the role of leading his daughter's team but willingly handed over the reins to the 23-year-old and her coach Tomasz Wiktorowski.
In an interview with Polish publication WP SportoweFakty in August, Iga Swiatek's father clarified that he hadn't completely distanced himself from World No. 1, as he continued to accompany her to tournaments. However, he emphasized that he had adopted a more parental role, asserting that it was "beneficial" to have a clear distinction between family and professional responsibilities.
"I didn't cut her off, because I'm still with her, I go to many tournaments. However, I try to have my own life and let Iga live and work the way she wants. I talked to her about it before I came to the Olympics. She agreed, she wanted me to be with her during the tournament," Iga Swiatek's father said.
"I'm glad that I can be with her in the role of a parent. It's really more beneficial for everyone when there's a division of roles and responsibilities. The result is good results on the court. We are, above all, a family, and family is not work. Iga has specialists for that," he added.
When asked about tennis parents who struggle to make this distinction, Tomasz deemed them part of the "crazy parents committee" but confessed that he also found it difficult to navigate the transition initially.
"And they are part of the crazy parents committee. Of course, it wasn't easy for me at first, but there was a moment when I went through a lot of things and understood what my role was. But that was quite early, before Iga started her career on the WTA circuit. I'm glad I understood it so quickly," he said.
"I don't suggest or advise anything, Iga Swiatek has coaches for that" - Pole's father Tomasz
During the same interview, Iga Swiatek's father Tomasz expressed relief at no longer being the head of the World No. 1's team, praising the 23-year-old for her astuteness in making key decisions.
"I'm glad I'm not one anymore. I've never been a tennis player, so I'll never feel all this as well as Iga and other people. Now she's the one managing the team, making key decisions. She's doing great," he said.
The 60-year-old also disclosed that he had no input on the five-time Grand Slam champion's training strategies, emphasizing that she was "intelligent and independent" enough to collaborate on such matters with her coaching team, which was like a well-oiled machine.
"Iga is so intelligent and independent that we don't even talk about it. I don't suggest or advise anything. She has coaches for that. I stepped aside," Iga Swiatek's father said.
"Tomasz Wiktorowski is responsible for tennis matters, Maciej Ryszczuk for general preparation, and Daria Abramowicz for psychological matters. The team works very well and they themselves make sure that the loads are at the right level," he added.
Following her quarterfinal exit at the 2024 US Open, Iga Swiatek was expected to return to action at the China Open. However, the defending champion recently pulled out of the WTA 1000 event, citing "personal matters."