Former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova said Tuesday her decision to split with coach David Kotyza will be the breath of fresh air she needs down the stretch run of the season toward the WTA Finals in Singapore next month.
Pliskova enjoyed a measure of success with Kotyza in 2017, winning three titles in Brisbane, Doha and Eastbourne and reaching the French Open semifinals and the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open.
But after losing her No. 1 ranking last week to Garbine Muguruza, dropping to fourth, Pliskova announced she parted ways with Kotyza ahead of the Toray Pan Pacific Open kicking off her tour through Asia.