A turbulent season for women’s tennis ended in November with the WTA announcing its nominees for the coach of the year award. The association had to cancel several tournaments this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Despite the unusual circumstances, several players stood out at the tournaments that took place during the year.

Naomi Osaka’s coach Wim Fissette

Naomi Osaka won her third Grand Slam title at the US Open, while Iga Swiatek surprised many fans by emerging victorious at the French Open. Jennifer Brady also had her break out season after she won her first singles title in August at the Top Seed Open. The success for all three players led to the WTA nominating their coaches for the Coach of the Year award. Osaka’s coach, Wim Fissette will be the favorite to win the award after guiding the Japanese star back to the top of the WTA rankings.

Osaka worked with three different coaches in 2019, and many media analysts had started to question whether she would sustain her early career success. After winning the Australian Open last year, the 23-year-old parted ways with her longtime coach, Sascha Bajin. The world number three hired Jermaine Jenkins in March, but she suffered early-round exits at Wimbledon and the French Open and fired her coach after a disappointing run at the 2019 US Open. Osaka asked her father, Leonard Francois, to be her coach during the Asian swing of the tour, and she had back-to-back victories at the Toray Pacific Open and the China Open. However, her decision to hire Fissette in January appears to have paid the most dividends. Fissette guided Osaka back into the top three of the WTA rankings, and the highlight of their partnership so far has been their win at this year’s US Open. In addition to coaching Osaka, the Belgian trainer has also worked with Simona Halep, Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, and Angelique Kerber.

Iga Swiatek’s coach Piotr Sierzputowsk

Piotr Sierzputowski will challenge Fissette for the coaching award due to his success in guiding Iga Swiatek to her first Grand Slam title. Swiatek became the first Polish tennis player to ever win a major title, and she moved from being ranked 61st

at the beginning of the year to her current 17th position on the WTA rankings.

Jennifer Brady’s coach Michael Geserer

Michael Geserer will be the dark horse for the award after guiding Jennifer Brady to a 2020 breakthrough season. Brady won her first singles title this year at age 25, and she reached the semifinals at the US Open. After starting the year at the 56th position, the American tennis star is currently 24th on the rankings.

The WTA will announce the winner of the Coach of the Year award soon.

Naomi Osaka in 2020

Currently the world no.3, Naomi played her last match on the 12th of September when she overcame Victoria Azarenka 1-6 6-3 6-3 in the final of the U.S. Open to win her 6th career title.

During this season the Japanese has a composed 16-3 match record. The Japanese conquered 1 title at the U.S. Open. The Japanese was the runner-up in New York.

 

Iga Swiatek in 2020

Ranked world no.17 (career-high), the Pole played her last match on the 10th of October when she overcame Sofia Kenin 6-4 6-1 in the final of the French Open to win her 1st career title.

Currently, this season Swiatek has 16-5 record. Swiatek clinched 1 title at the French Open.

Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek played each other once. The head to head is 1-0 for Osaka. When they played, Naomi Osaka won 7-64 6-4 in the 3rd round in Toronto (Rogers Cup) in August 2019.

In the video below you can watch the highlights.

Jennifer Brady in 2020

Currently the world no.24 (career-high), the American played her last match on the 24th of October when she was overcome by Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 6-4 in the semifinal in Ostrava.

This season Brady has a 25-9 match record. The American clinched 1 title in Lexington.