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Player/Coach Changes /"The Changing of the Guard"

186K views 2K replies 488 participants last post by  Saraya! 
#1 · (Edited)
Ok as this is my first thread on GM( and may very well be my last :p ) so be kind.

I was watching TTC here in the states with the European Madrid feed and the commentators were talking about how and why some South American players continually change coaches. Yes it seems to be a fact for some but not all but then the commentators went on to say that the players seemed to point the blame for their doing poorly squarely on their coaches without taking some of the blame on themselves. I thought this was a bit out of line and obviously an opinion although not stated as such.

Now I know many MTF's have opinions and don't mind commentating a bit themselves. But I also think that there are others here who may actually have information to share in this regard. So comment away please ;)
 
#913 ·
Re: Player/Coach Changes (Rosengren Swedish DC captain not coaching Söderling)

Dimitrov has joined the Good to Great Tennis Academy in Sweden, which is run by ex-touring pros Magnus Norman, Nicklas Kulti, and Mikael Tillström.

Tillström will travel with Dimitrov to Australia.

http://www.tennis.com/news/2012/11/dimitrov-be-coached-swedish-team/45527/#.ULTDeRpbjKQ

on another note Frédéric Fontang, Chardy's coach until two years ago, will now follow Vasek Pospisil several weeks in a year, including big tournaments. They start working together on the 5th of december.
 
#915 ·
Re: Player/Coach Changes (Rosengren Swedish DC captain not coaching Söderling)

Isner parts ways with Boynton (who had been his coach since march 2009 and will remain a great friend) and will now have for coach Michael Sell, former Seles' coach who had already worked sometimes with him :


http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/30/isner-parts-ways-with-coach/


Don't know if it has been said as well but Ferrero will accompany Almagro more and more next year (he already did it sometimes last year working together with Nico's regular coach, and he still doesn't want to travel full-time) :

http://www.tennis.com/news/2012/11/ferrero-coach-almagro-part-time/45539/#.ULjjXhpbjKQ
 
#917 ·
Re: Player/Coach Changes (Rosengren Swedish DC captain not coaching Söderling)

Kevin Anderson parts ways with Vosloo (source : ATP website)

they had worked together since 2010 (that is the period when Anderson really stepped in the ATP tour)
 
#918 ·
Re: Player/Coach Changes (Rosengren Swedish DC captain not coaching Söderling)

Lacko ended cooperation with Matej Liptak before Bratislava CH (Liptak coached simultaneously Slovak Fed Cup team) because of some disagreements between them. Liptak had a positive impact on Lacko at the begining of season, but nothing special from on there.

His new coach is Ladislav Simon (previously coached Slovak players - Jozef Kovalik or Norbert Gombos). Not a good move imo, but Lacko played great in Helsinki.
 
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#921 ·
Re: Player/Coach Changes (Rosengren Swedish DC captain not coaching Söderling)

Well... this could be useful for Wawa.
He totally needs a good coach, he has the talent, that backhand is not just beautiful, but also really powerful when he hits it with his full-power.

His clay movement could be great also. Best-Wawa can be AMAZING.
 
#922 ·
Re: Player/Coach Changes (Rosengren Swedish DC captain not coaching Söderling)

Matt Ebden
In 2013 I will have a new addition to my team as Peter McNamara is going to be coaching me.
I’ve known Pete for a couple of years now and was always intrigued by the work he did. Pete is a former top 10 singles and doubles player, having won numerous titles in both. He’s also coached some top players so has seen it all and done it himself. He brings a wealth of experience from which I hope to learn.
I am really looking forward to pushing and challenging myself to become a better athlete, player and person under Pete's guidance.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...44994.186777478029491&type=1&relevant_count=1
 
#925 ·
Re: Player/Coach Changes (Rosengren Swedish DC captain not coaching Söderling)

Wawrinka will work with Magnus Norman :)

Wawrinka Teams Up With Norman On Trial Period

Stanislas Wawrinka has agreed to a trial coaching period with former World No. 2 Magnus Norman. The duo will work together mainly before and during major championships.

Wawrinka has been without a coach for more than 12 months. He said, “I have been eager to work with Magnus for many years now and I’m very excited to finally have that opportunity.

“We will explore our relationship through this test period and I have no doubt it will bear fruit with hard work and dedication. I am excited to learn from his experiences. He is a fantastic coach and was a great player, so I only see an upside to this relationship. He most certainly will add a different dimension to my game.”

Former World No. 2 Norman said, “I hope it will be the start of something very good. As always, it’s important to set the bar high but be humble doing so.”

Norman won one ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title at the 2000 Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome, a few weeks before he reached the Roland Garros final (l. to Kuerten). The Swede had a 12-6 record in tour-level singles finals. In his post-playing career, Norman coached Robin Soderling for two years.

Source: http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2013/04/16/Norman-To-Coach-Wawrinka-On-Trial.aspx
 
#929 ·
Re: Player/Coach Changes (Rosengren Swedish DC captain not coaching Söderling)

There is a French interview with Magnus about his work with Stan.
Here's a translation via Google (maybe some of the French speaking users can clarify it a bit more):

"Stan has to feed his killer instinct"

Magnus Norman, how would you describe Wawrinka as a person and as a player?

He is very pleasant to be around, generous personality. I appreciate working with him. It's rewarding. Stan is shy, unsure of himself. This is sometimes seen on a tennis court. He needs to build his confidence. This is a point on which I hope to help, which we have already started working. As a player, he's a talented, already has a successful career behind him. He just lacks some very good results on the big tournaments. But he plays the same time as Roger (Federer), Rafa (Nadal) and Novak (Djokovic), which does not facilitate the task. With them - and also Murray now - it is not easy to break into the Grand Slams. Our goal with Stan, is to achieve something in a major tournament.

This timidity does not grow to be too nice against certain opponents? He sometimes gives the impression of being denied the right to earn unconsciously ...

Absolutely. I had the same feeling as having the opportunity to observe closely. He needs to further develop a killer instinct. Especially during the important points. It should no longer play as "Mr. nice" but that killer instinct. Without changing personality. He just needs to address these key points with a warrior spirit.

It was striking against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Monte Carlo. What advice will you give to this Madrid hand (note: he beat the French in three sets in the night from Friday to Saturday)?

Here, the conditions are not the same as Monte Carlo. This is higher altitude here and they will play at night. As before any match, we will be well prepared, discuss the specific points to work together and adopt a strategy. But it is important to focus on the game for Stan. This will be our priority this evening (note: last night). The bottom line is that he can believe in him, in his ability to beat Tsonga. I do not want him to consider a good match. I want him to shows in the match winner.

In Switzerland, Wawrinka is often in the shadow of Roger Federer. Does it did not somewhat inhibited?

Maybe. Roger is unique. He is probably the best player of all time and it is clear that it is not easy to "cohabit" with him. But Stan is Stan. He has a great career. He was in the top 10, top 20 now. If we consider the number of players that are on the circuit, it is already an achievement. But he clearly has the ability and all the weapons to be ranked higher and still get very good results in major tournaments. He is fresh, physically and mentally. I feel he can push even further the performance.

What improvements are you aiming at the technical level?

There are several things for improvement in his game. Obviously, his backhand is world class. Perhaps the best in the circuit. At the right time, however, there is room for improvement. Although it is good. This is not so much the act that can be improved as its positioning on the court at the time of the strike. This is something that we can adjust. As the return of service. He is sometimes hesitant, do not really know whether to stay back to back or forward in the court. We can also work on the service. It has ups and downs. I would like it to be a more solid and constant service. These are small things we can improve on and which we have already begun to work.

Sometimes he shows signs of impatience and will mark the point in two or three keystrokes instead of extending ...

Indeed, we have also discussed this point. I watched it several times. Already when I was the coach of Robin Söderling and Stan played against him. I have a pretty clear idea about it. It's quite a mental aspect of the game. It has to do with his state of mind and pressure management.

The results you achieved with Söderling speak for themselves. What do you aim with Wawrinka?

I do not like talking about myself. I prefer to talk about Stan. We set the bar pretty high. We set goals to achieve, but we prefer to keep them to ourselves. I am convinced that daily work on small things can have a huge impact. Stan played very well since the beginning of the year. He had tight matches against Djokovic in Melbourne, Berdych in Davis Cup or Tsonga in Monte Carlo. Defeats. I think his victory against Ferrer in Estoril brought him a lot of confidence. It is a dynamic success. I hope it will continue. I see no reason why he should not win tonight (note: last night) against Tsonga.

The Djokovic defeat in Australia was painful but didn't it help to take a step forward?

I discussed this with Severin Lüthi who told me that Stan had much better digested this defeat than others. He felt that Stan had a good shot rather than moping. He was able to take the positive of this match and move forward. This surely explains his strong start to the season. There was indeed not that bad in this defeat. It was a match of very high level.

You swapped with Lüthi?

This was a priority on my list. It was important to me because he follows Stan for a long time and knows him better than me. We spent time together here in Madrid, watched two games of Stan together and talked a lot about his tennis. His impact on Stan the past two years was very helpful. I also talked with Pierre Paganini, his physical trainer.

What do you think of his time "solo"?

It was a good thing. Especially as he still had Paganini and Lüthi. Although he is sometimes unsure of himself, Stan is not less determined. He knows what he wants. He did not want to take a coach just for taking one. He wanted the right person, someone you trust.

That person was you and he expected you to be free ...

I am very honored. But I prefer to stay humble. It is not magic. You can not change things overnight. This requires dedication and patience. We started well. He won in Portugal. We also have to face losses and learn from them. But he grew mentally. We are in preparation for Roland Garros and Wimbledon, but it is in a position to do something here (note: in Madrid).

Original source: http://www.lematin.ch/sports/tennis/stan-doit-nourrir-instinct-tueur/story/21146957
 
#930 · (Edited)
Re: Player/Coach Changes (Rosengren Swedish DC captain not coaching Söderling)

Norman is a great guy. He's not one of those ultra-demanding in-your-face coaches so it will be a smooth transition for Wawrinka that's been without a coach for some time. Think it could work.


Maybe we'll see Stan under a towel at change-overs. That was one of the distinct changes he did with Soderling. Focus less on the opponent, crowd, whatever. Just go into your own bubble. Works great for offensive players because if they keep focus and keep the errors away the results will come to. It's all about finding the zone and staying in the zone and not worry about missing shots or even the actual score in the match. Just play and focus and you'll likely win. Worked wonders for Robin, can certainly work for Stan as well.

He could do big thinks already in RG. His backhand isn't exploitable on clay, more than you can say for current Federer
 
#931 · (Edited)
Raonic splits from Galo Blanco

Being reported by Mundo Deportivo - apparently it's by mutual agreement.

Spanish coach Galo Blanco and Canadian tennis player Milos Raonic, currently number 14 in the world, have broken their relationship this week in Madrid after two years and seven months of working together. "It was by mutual agreement," said Galo Blanco in a telephone conversation with Reuters, "in my case I need some time to think now, spend more time with my family and acknowledge my life differently." "What I'm proud of is having caught this player when it was 224 in the world and leave it in 14th place in the world," he added. "I don't think he'll be lacking offers".

Raonic fell this week at the Masters in Madrid against Spanish Fernando Verdasco in the second round. With Galo Blanco, the Canadian gunboat has won four ATP titles: San Jose, on three occasions (2011, 2012 and 2013), and Madras (2012), in addition to reaching the finals in Tokyo and Memphis (2012).

Raonic as fourteenth favorite part in the Rome Masters 1000 where he has played in first round German Philipp Kohlschreiber. The Canadian team continued the Spanish Juan Ozon and Toni Estalella, as a physiotherapist and coach. Galo Blanco is part of 4Slam Academy Barcelona Tennis Club along with Jairo Velasco, Fernando Vicente, Marc Canovas, Carlos Martinez and Gabriel Trujillo, where they train including Svetlana Kuznetsova and Spanish Marcel Granollers.
http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20130...pen-su-relacion_54373413403.html#.UY6ivbD5I4A
 
#936 ·
#935 ·
Re: Raonic splits from Galo Blanco

Nooo!!! :sobbing: I'm not sure this is a good thing. :unsure:

A shame for Milos. Blanco has done a great job. Stefanki should be available now..?
nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! :sobbing: :hysteric:
 
#940 ·
Re: Raonic splits from Galo Blanco

I am going to be honest. Raonic has a better chance of being the next Clark Kent in Superman 1000 than winning a slam with his current level of play
 
#951 · (Edited)
Re: Raonic splits from Galo Blanco

I am going to be honest. Raonic has a better chance of being the next Clark Kent in Superman 1000 than winning a slam with his current level of play
Some people on this board the arm chair critics are ludicrous. Everything is a PROCESS you don't just become a champion over night. You also do NOT become a top 20 player over night. Milos and Blanco should be proud of their work together. But Blanco never helped Milos to have an attacking game. He helped Milos to rally better which is good. But Milos needs a coach to take him over the plateau of being number 14 in the world.

Milos Raonic is SMART he realized Galo Blanco has helped him get this far from 200s to number 14 in the world BUT he needs someone who is going to be tougher on him. Someone who is smarter, and has an attacking game strategy. However, Milos realized he's hit a plateau. Blanco tried to make Milos into a clay court GRINDER not the right strategy for man six foot five with his serve.

Milos needs to play an attacking style and MAXIMIZE his strengths and improve his weaknesses. He needs an improved backhand and he needs to attack the net.

I also think Milos needs to get into even BETTER SHAPE, I think in some of the three set loses this year he got TIRED. He's fit but he can be fitter.

Milos Raonic is a smart kid, he wants to be champion and he realized things weren't working with Blanco good decision on Milos part.

Blanco obviously is a good coach he took Milos to number 14 in the world but he wants to go higher and he needs a tougher smarter coach to reach the top 10.
 
#941 ·
Re: Raonic splits from Galo Blanco

Perhaps a job for Niklas Kulti..?

The Good to Great Academy doing wonders with Stan Wawrinka and Grigor Dimitrov, so i can imagine it could be an interesting move from Rao
 
#943 ·
Re: Raonic splits from Galo Blanco

Servebot forum
no but we do have a 'player/coaches changes' thread here in GM. It's even on the first page right now, so this should probably go there.
 
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