When a guru of Wim Fissette’s ilk links up with a player of Iga Swiatek’s credentials, the microscope initially comes into focus on their first major together.
It comes with the territory given the Belgian super coach has guided a string of multi-Slam-winning former No.1s – Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber and Naomi Osaka.
The remit was never to reinvent the coaching wheel, however the Pole’s ruthless progression through the Australian Open draw this fortnight has only heightened curiosities about changes made since Fissette came on board in October.
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Swiatek has the luxury of playing largely on instinct, which makes incorporating any fresh advice a balancing act.
“I think it depends on the coach and what he says because, you know, it's not like Wim came and he told me to play in a way that I can't,” the world No.2 said.
“I think working with him is more like an evolution instead of revolution.
“I wasn't looking for anybody to turn my game, like, upside down and change some crazy things. I wanted to improve the things that were obviously improved for me and for him as well.
“It's always me who is making the decisions on the court … Wim, he didn't tell me anything to confuse me, so it's been great so far.”
Having already made her deepest run at Melbourne Park since her sole semifinal in 2022, the five-time major champion said she felt more relaxed and more confident than last year, especially, when she carried the world No.1 ranking.
The Pole hailed Fissette’s early influence, be it when she’s struggling on the practice court or handling off-court challenges in recent months.
“Having a new coach, you need to be ready for some changes,” she said. “So I kept my mind open and busy with just working on court. That for sure helped.
“Overall, I think he's a pretty supportive guy with the experience of working with many players, so I think he understands, and he knows what we deal with sometimes.”
Former world No.5 and commentator Daniela Hantuchova has witnessed the partnership already paying dividends during Swiatek’s swift progression through the draw.
“The way she played and how aggressive she was against Emma [Raducanu], it's not like Raducanu was playing bad tennis, it was just Swiatek stepping it up big time,” the 2008 semifinalist said, referencing Swiatek’s 6-1 6-0 demolition of the 2021 US Open champion in the third round.
“I think Wim Fissette has already done such a great job just, I think, making her a little bit more calm in between points and even more aggressive during the points.”
The Swiatek-Fisette team was not the only new high-profile tandem that made its Grand Slam debut at Melbourne Park this year.
When Novak Djokovic hired Andy Murray ahead of the Australian Open, a former rival less than six months into his retirement, the obvious question was raised what this untested mentor could possibly bring to a player who already owned 24 Grand Slam trophies.
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Murray, a fellow 37-year-old only seven days the Serbian’s senior, was an astute voice on tactics and had an acute first-hand insight into the playing styles of his charge’s new chief rivals – namely Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
After Djokovic derailed Alcaraz’s bid for a career Grand Slam in the quarterfinals, he briefly embraced Murray on the sidelines at Rod Laver Arena.
“I feel more and more connected with Andy every day. We face challenges every single day. People don't see that, obviously,” the 10-time Australian Open champion said.
“I mean, we try to make the most out of every day and grow together. He's been as committed to my career and this tournament as he can be.
“So it was kind of a gesture of appreciation, respect for him, and the fact that he's out there, and he doesn't need to be. He accepted to work with me. He's giving all his support to me, to the whole team, and trying to make it work.
“This was a huge win for all of us, including Andy and myself, you know, for the relationship.”
The pressure of attempting to defend her maiden Grand Slam title in New York had been mounting on Coco Gauff for months, and came to a head following early Wimbledon and US Open departures last year.
Still only 20 years old, the world No.3 made the difficult and bold decision to switch to a new coach, Matt Daly, when many in her shoes would have waited until the off-season.
It paid off immediately when the American went on a tear to close out the year with titles in Beijing and the WTA Finals.
“Matt and JC [Jean-Christophe Faurel], first of all, they're very good people, instil a lot of confidence in me,” Gauff said. “When you step on court with confidence, it makes a big difference in your game. So, just constantly having positive reinforcement.
“Also, like, keeping things real, knowing there's going to be good days and bad days, never making me feel judged because of that.
“Obviously there's been things in my game I've been working on, serve, a lot of things. There have been improvements. I feel it on the court. I think it's just a reminder to keep improving.
“Even if it's uncomfortable, trying to focus on that long-term path, making sure that I'm making adjustments that I need to hopefully have a good career long-term.”