Iga Swiatek's Junior Coaching Evolution

Key Points

• Michal taught Iga to play more like a man
• Actively hitting with your player allows you to gauge the progressions of their shots in terms of depth, speed and placement etc.
• Gradually increase the tempo, pace and spin of your shots when you see your player is capable of handling it
• At 12 to 13 years of age, Iga would do drills where she would have to hit 100 balls in a marked out zone
• Progress to hitting 20 consecutive shots down the line and crosscourt using the forehand and backhand
• Working on these drills helped Iga develop the consistency and courage required to use them in matches
• Iga’s long term development plan was heavily centered around the run around forehand and backhand down the line
• Michal started developing Iga’s kick serve when she was 12 and a half
• Iga’s current game uses the kick serve for the majority of serves, along with the run around forehand and backhand down the line
• Having a clear plan to develop weapons in your player’s game is one of the keys to long term success
• Michal and Iga would do 15 minutes fitness before each tennis session that included footwork, speed and strength work using bands and med balls
• When you don’t have time for fitness in your weekly training plan, these 15 minutes sessions can quickly add up and benefit you over the long term
• Find solutions for obstacles in your tennis journey rather than making excuses and getting mired in a negative mindset
• Work on “catching” the ball at the highest point on the second serve and pushing your opponent back from the first ball
• Look to be “active” with the feet on first serve return when your opponent is throwing the ball up
• Hit easy second serves until the player has 100% accuracy before speeding it up
• Constantly being aggressive and attacking the second serve can pressure your opponent and force them to go for too much and hit double faults
• The reverse forehand is one of the most important shots in tennis and used by some of the greatest players of all time
• See reverse forehand videos on Coachlife from legendary coaches Robert Lansdorp and Michael T Joyce
• Iga Swiatek uses the reverse forehand in defensive positions to generate amazing racket head speed
• Give players leeway to try creative shots in matches and develop their own style, even if the shot selection is bad