Iga Swiatek Falls to Mirra Andreeva in Dubai Quarterfinals, Snubs Coach Wim Fissette
World No. 2 Iga Swiatek suffered a surprise exit from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, falling 3-6, 3-6 to rising star Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals of the season’s second WTA 1000 event.
Frustration was evident for the five-time Grand Slam champion after the match, as she noticeably avoided shaking hands with her coach, Wim Fissette. The Belgian, who took over as Swiatek’s coach in October 2024, has previously worked with top players such as Victoria Azarenka, Simona Halep, Angelique Kerber, and Naomi Osaka.
Swiatek’s loss marks another setback in her attempt to regain the world No. 1 ranking. Just a week earlier at the Qatar Open, she failed to defend her title after a semifinal exit. In Dubai, she exits a round earlier than last year, missing another opportunity to retain valuable ranking points. With Aryna Sabalenka also suffering early exits in both tournaments, Swiatek had a chance to close the gap—but instead, she has fallen further behind her main rival.
Following the defeat, Fissette was seen raising his hand for a high-five in an attempt to console Swiatek. However, the Polish star ignored the gesture and walked off toward the locker room in silence, highlighting her disappointment after the tough loss.
