Dismissal of Coaches: Reasons why, reasons why not?
"I am very happy to start my new collaboration...I think her experience as a player and coach will help me achieve my goals...", Frenchman Lucas Pouille says choosing Amelie Mauresmo, former coach of Andy Murray, previous captain of Fed Cup and retired WTA player holder of 25 titles. The relationship he had with his previous coach of six years, Frenchman Emmanuel Planque now a thing of the past, Pouille felt disappointed in not being able to help his French Davis Cup team to glory. He decided to re-evaluate and made the change.
When coaches are dismissed it can be as simple and obvious as a personality conflict or family necessities due to travelling situations. Yet, it can be more complex as a disagreement on playing strategies and techniques. Some coaches are relieved of their duties because of the players' health be it constant injuries and surgeries, maternity leaves or permanent retirements.
Victoria Azarenka was with Wim Fissette until her pregnancy and rather to hold him over he was let go and became part of Brit Johanna Konta's team. This partnership has since ended with Konta bringing Michael Joyce to helm but soon he's been dismissed and she is on the watch for a more cohesive coach. It is to date that Azarenka has cleared up legal and custody issues and has since picked up Wim Fissette again for the 2019 season.
Angelique Kerber has had her share of new coaches and probably on the hunt for the right connection to enhance her game bringing victories and titles. The 2019 season will encompass her with Rainer Schuttler, a former ATP player who's retired just six years ago from the ATP tour. "I am really looking forward to the opportunity of working with Angelique during this phase of her career...what a great champion she is and I hope my experience can bring a fresh perspective to an already strong team", Schuttler told tennis.com media.
Younger players without decades of touring experience are also getting into the coach changing the situation with Madison Keys being one. She's acquired Jim Madrigal, a former coach of ATP players Brian Baker and Tennys Sandgren. She dismissed David Taylor and previously let go former WTA player now Tennis Channel commentator Lindsay Davenport as she had family and commentating commitment duties. Madrigal has come from a division of men's tennis is the head coach of Belmont University for 18 years. The tactics of Madrigal helped propel Sandgren to the top 50s and a grand slam quarter-finalist within a season. "I could not possibly be more excited...she's such a great player, an amazing person, and is eager to improve her game in a handful of areas that we both agree..."
Simona Halep has a decade of WTA experience capturing 18 titles and this year a French Open title will be dispersed from her coach Darren Cahill as of this season. He's taken on the helm a few years ago along with commentating duties but time with family had suffered and is now imperative to be with them. Halep has had many ups and down with Cahill but realizes his needs and says that "I want to go to some tournaments on my own and we'll see how that goes".
The 'Why not?' the situation of coach dismissals might concern the Stephens/Murray partnership. A few days ago it was announced that Sloane Stephens and her coach Kamau Murray have dismissed their coaching relationship after a handful of years and a U.S. Open title. It is well known that Murray has started XS Tennis, a youth tennis village on the South side of Chicago. It is his satisfaction knowing that he has started Stephens on her way of being an accomplished WTA player while he oversees another dream of building his centre.
But a total surprised suspension of coaching duties comes with the dismissal of David Witt the decade coach of Venus Williams. At 38, Williams is the oldest WTA player in the top 100 and been having lacklustre performances and a few injuries. But Witt was totally taken back by her announcement and as he tells tennis.com media that it was a 'two-minute' phone call that finished off their decade tennis relationship. There was no mention of retirement but there may be other tour changes in the mix of which Witt may not need to be a constant coaching companion. Venus Williams is scheduled to continue playing a few warm-up matches before the first grand slam of the year and start of the 2109 season, the Australian Open.
Dismissals, suspensions, part-time or domestic travel coaching it all creates a disruption in the lives of players and coaches alike. But it's all for the good of helping the player achieve what's their main goal as a professional tennis player and that is to be victorious and win titles.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2UMfb1x
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