After parting ways with world No. 3 Simona Halep, coach Wim Fissette elaborated on the Romanian’s unique way of thinking, which led to his dismissal. Halep decided not to retain Fissette for next year and recently said she will work with Romanian Victor Ionița as well as Thomas Hogstedt, at least during January.
Fissette, who once coached former No. 1 Kim Clijsters, helped Halep reach the Roland Garros final, Wimbledon semifinals, and the title match of the WTA Finals.
“I didn't feel frustrations at the end. As a coach you receive contracts of six to 12 months,” Fissette told TennisNow. “You never know what will happen when the contract finishes. So I just tried to give my very best until the end of my contract. Simona made this decision because she feels more comfortable with only Romanians in her team.
"She is a girl who needs a lot of variation. That's why, for example, every tournament there were some family members to “entertain” her. Some weeks it was her mother, some weeks her brother, some weeks some family friends… so she would not be bored. She likes people around her and she also needs that. I believe it will be difficult for her to work longer than one year with a coach because she needs that variation [in her life]. Other way of thinking, other way of working.”