With new coach by her side, Kiki Bertens wants to keep improving

Kiki Bertens is aiming to keep improving her game next season as she returns following a split from coach Raemon Sluiter.

"I followed my feelings and felt I did not want to extend it," she told Dutch television show 'Wereld Draait Door.' "We had some tough conversations, but he was understanding. We had a good split. I wanted to try something else to try and get even further as a tennis player."

Still, she said she's also happy with what she's achieved, adding, "I never dreamed I could come this far."

The pair began working together in 2015, almost splitting in 2017 before Bertens decided to re-commit to her career. She hit the Top 10 in 2018 and reached a career-high No. 4 this season, winning two titles, including victories against Simona Halep, Sloane Stephens and Petra Kvitova to capture the event in Madrid.

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Bertens finished the season with her wedding to Remko de Rijke, her physiotherapist—the couple got engaged a year ago.

The 27-year-old Dutch will now be coached by Elise Tamaela, who was assisting her during the WTA Finals.

Meanwhile, Bertens and Sluiter have stayed friendly, with Sluiter attending the wedding along with other guests like WTA player Julia Goerges.

Her next goal is to try to keep up a high level. "Staying consistent is very difficult," she said. "There are different tournaments, different surfaces but also different balls. There is also more pressure and obligations. I think I've done all right with it, and kept working hard."

Bertens is No.9 in the rankings.