Osaka, dream jobs, and his philosophy: 10 questions about Wim Fissette

Ten questions you might have about Belgian tennis coach Wim Fissette, who just helped Naomi Osaka capture the Australian Open title.

Naomi Osaka - Wim Fissette Naomi Osaka – Wim Fissette

How old is Wim Fissette?

He is 40 years old, born on March 22, 1980 in Belgium.

Who is he coaching right now?

Fissette is the current coach of Naomi Osaka, who won the Australian Open on Saturday.

Who has Fissette coached in the past?

Fissette has also worked with Kim Clijsters, Sabine Lisicki, Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka (two different stints), Petra Kvitova, Sara Errani, Johanna Konta, and Angelique Kerber. Clijsters, Halep, Azarenka, and Kerber are all former No 1 players in the world.

How many Grand Slam titles have his players won?

He has helped his charges to six Grand Slam titles – three with Clijsters, one with Kerber (Wimbledon 2018), and two with Osaka (also the 2020 US Open).
Naomi Osaka, Australian Open, 2021

What are some of his other best accomplishments as a coach?

He also took both Lisicki (Wimbledon 2013) and Halep (French Open 2014) to Grand Slam finals. His players have reached at least the quarter-finals at slams on 10 other occasions—including the semis three times. In 2017, he helped Konta win the Miami Open and make a run to the Wimbledon semis.

Was Fissette a player before becoming a coach?

Yes, Fissette briefly played at the professional level in 1999 and 2000. His career-high ranking is No. 1291, which he achieved in August of 1999.

What was his first dream job in coaching?

When Fissette first got into coaching in the late 2000s, he wanted to eventually work with Maria Sharapova. However, it never happened.

“That was my dream, because she was more than just a great tennis player,” Fissette said in an interview with Tennis Magazine in the Netherlands. “She was a global star. If someone like that trusts you, it means the world.”

Does Fissette have a specific coaching philosophy?

Fissette does not have a specific coaching philosophy, but rather caters to the needs of whatever particular player he is coaching at the time. He is also driven by immediate success as opposed to longevity. Rarely has he worked with any player for more than two years, and he does not mind that frequent changing of jobs.
Wim Fissette and Naomi Osaka, Brisbane 2020

What other interests does he have?

When he isn’t traveling the tennis circuit, he likes to spend time with his wife and 5-year old son, Arthur. In addition to traveling, his hobbies include soccer and golf. Fissette is also a SAP Ambassador, focusing on data analytics.

Is he active on social media?

He has a Twitter account, with 4,503 followers as of February 20, 2021 but is not particularly active (he has not posted since Osaka won the 2020 US Open). He has an Instagram account, with 3,661 followers, on which he is slightly more active.

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