Wim Fissette , the coach of Naomi Osaka, has coached many of the top women on the WTA Tour in a short amount of time.
He took up tennis at 8 years old when his mom began playing, and became a quality junior. As a junior, he was one of the best players in Belgium but was not identified as elite. After being invited to be the hitting partner for Kim Clijsters, he decided that coaching tennis would be his life. Wim Fissette told us this action packed story of moving from hitting partner to becoming a premier coach on the WTA Tour. He discussed many aspects of his coaching career and was extremely forthcoming and earnest.
Wim Fissette told us how early in his career he was unsure if he was a good coach, or if he had just gotten lucky coaching Kim Clijsters. From there he took a step back to develop his coaching skills, and then got a phone call that changed his career trajectory. Wim Fissette breaks down his time coaching Kim Clijsters, Vika Azarenka, Johanna Konta, Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber. Wim Fissette describes how tennis has become his lifelong work, and how he balances the travel with a wife and young children at home.
(Recorded March 1, 2020. Released March 11, 2020)
Related Episodes of UNDER REVIEW:
For other episodes of UNDER REVIEW featuring elite coaches , check out: Patrick Mouratoglou [Ep32]; Nick Bollettieri [Ep28]; Paul Annacone [Ep15]; Brad Gilbert [Ep01];
UNDER REVIEW is a podcast in which tennis insiders share unique stories and insightful perspective. For more information, please contact [email protected]
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL:
To see more on Wim Fissette, see http://wimfissette.com/
And check out The Malibu Racquet Club: https://www.maliburacquetclub.com/
KEYWORDS:
Belgium, Kim Clijsters, Naomi Osaka, Angie Kerber, Simona Halep, Vika Azarenka, Johanna Konta, Tennis Coach, WTA, Wimbledon, US Open
