is coach not real important like some said?

[Ricardo]

I noticed when certain players got into winning streak, some fans claim it was the player who hit all the shots and won matches, and that coaches were only slightly 'complimentary' and not the major cause. For me i tend to believe a coach makes a huge difference to how a player would perform, based on the following:

Murray, prior to lendl he lost finals after finals, since Lendl he won 2 slams and Olympic beating players he simply couldn't beat in big matches before, namely Djoker and Federer. Post Lendl, again lost finals after finals.... i know some try to credit Mauresmo, but with what?

Djokovic, became a double fault machine under Todd Martin, since taking Becker in became a dominant force winning tough matches. I know Boris looks like someone not quite 'right', surely he delivered? Djoker not only has no more double faults, he is quite a decent server now.

Federer, in 2013 he was so bad that players in the 100s wanted a piece of him, Since Edberg he became a contender again, getting into many finals.

 

[britbox]

I wouldn't say it's the major cause but agree it can make a huge difference. I like both of your examples - Lendl with Murray (positive) and Martin with Djokovic (negative)... but I think it depends on the coach AND the player AND the chemistry between the two, and all those three things combined will set the level of impact. A coach could have great impact with one player and not so much impact with another. Some of the WTA players seem almost dependent on the coach... Justine Henin was a prime example.

So, I think it's very variable but a coach CAN make a huge difference in the right circumstances with the right player and right chemistry.

 

[Carol]

What Toni Nadal says about the future tennis

https://www.thetennisbase.com/?enlace=blog&bg=4&post=Toni-Nadal-Future-tennis

 

[Ricardo]

What Toni Nadal says about the future tennis

https://www.thetennisbase.com/?enlace=blog&bg=4&post=Toni-Nadal-Future-tennis

In short, Toni says the sport is so heavily skewed towards power and speed (brute force) at the expense of skills and tactics. Well then, Nadal has got to be one of the key players for that no?

Started with Lendl really, when Connors accused him of 'thumping the ball'. Its become too much of a physical war, how many finesse players are still around and successful? Federer might be the last of them sigh!!

 

[Ricardo]

I wouldn't say it's the major cause but agree it can make a huge difference. I like both of your examples - Lendl with Murray (positive) and Martin with Djokovic (negative)... but I think it depends on the coach AND the player AND the chemistry between the two, and all those three things combined will set the level of impact. A coach could have great impact with one player and not so much impact with another. Some of the WTA players seem almost dependent on the coach... Justine Henin was a prime example.

So, I think it's very variable but a coach CAN make a huge difference in the right circumstances with the right player and right chemistry.

Might also add Chang, who had a good impact on Nishikori as well. Seems like the greats from last few generations have been positive for the current players in general, even Norman has made Wawrinka more successful as well. I think its no coincidence that before these guys were taken up as coaches, those players were not in such good shape.

 

[Moxie]

Actually, Magnus Norman is a good addition to the list. I think he's made a huge difference to Wawrinka.

 

[britbox]

In short, Toni says the sport is so heavily skewed towards power and speed (brute force) at the expense of skills and tactics. Well then, Nadal has got to be one of the key players for that no?

Started with Lendl really, when Connors accused him of 'thumping the ball'. Its become too much of a physical war, how many finesse players are still around and successful? Federer might be the last of them sigh!!

KInd of laughable for Uncle Toni to complain about that. A lot of Rafa's success came down to supreme physicallity on court. He's not somebody you'd ever describe as a finesse player.

 

[britbox]

Actually, Magnus Norman is a good addition to the list. I think he's made a huge difference to Wawrinka.

Good call. One that goes under the radar a little, but Magnus has done a great job.

 

[Ricardo]

Norman also did an awesome job for Soderling before he quit unfortunately, what a difference he made.
And Lendl is someone i have great respect for, guy doesn't whinge yet he is excellent in what he does. As a player, i think he must be one of the few who got the least worldwide support EVER, especially for an all-time great. Watching his matches, it almost looked like he watched the crowd in disgust yet he was never gonna whinge or play the victim - take note Djoker fans, in comparison Novak has a pretty good support already but almost every Novak fan seems to be a whinger and acts as a victim. In retrospect, maybe Ivan could've won more if people were more supportive, i mean he lost 11 finals for god's sake for someone i consider very mentally strong. I also think he would do well today given his strength, awesome serve, best forehand of his time, pretty good backhand and awesome power too (Chang said he is the hardest hitter consistently). With today's homogenised surfaces it would obviously be easier for his style.

 

[Carol]

In short, Toni says the sport is so heavily skewed towards power and speed (brute force) at the expense of skills and tactics. Well then, Nadal has got to be one of the key players for that no?

Started with Lendl really, when Connors accused him of 'thumping the ball'. Its become too much of a physical war, how many finesse players are still around and successful? Federer might be the last of them sigh!!

Federer probably has been the player that has taken better care of himself and more focus in this sport than the others players of his age

 

[Bert]

I have found this article few days ago, you've probably already seen it but just in case : http://bit.ly/1TZ5vfL
Moratoglou, Serena's coach explains his work with Serena. Interesting read.

 

[Moxie]

Norman also did an awesome job for Soderling before he quit unfortunately, what a difference he made.

I had forgotten that he had coached Soderling. Well pointed out. In this case, you could argue that the variable that took both Soderling and Wawrinka from strong, but not especially distinguished careers to the next level might have been the coach. I would also say that Peter Lundgren managed to hold Marat Safin's head together long enough for him to win his 2nd Major at the AO in 2005. (Side note: Safin and Justin Henin were just elected to the Tennis Hall of Fame. Hurray, Marat!)

 

[Bert]

I noticed when certain players got into winning streak, some fans claim it was the player who hit all the shots and won matches, and that coaches were only slightly 'complimentary' and not the major cause. For me i tend to believe a coach makes a huge difference to how a player would perform, based on the following:

Murray, prior to lendl he lost finals after finals, since Lendl he won 2 slams and Olympic beating players he simply couldn't beat in big matches before, namely Djoker and Federer. Post Lendl, again lost finals after finals.... i know some try to credit Mauresmo, but with what?

Djokovic, became a double fault machine under Todd Martin, since taking Becker in became a dominant force winning tough matches. I know Boris looks like someone not quite 'right', surely he delivered? Djoker not only has no more double faults, he is quite a decent server now.

Federer, in 2013 he was so bad that players in the 100s wanted a piece of him, Since Edberg he became a contender again, getting into many finals.

I think there is a difference between rising players and confirmed players. I think rising players' coaches depends more on their coaches as they are still 'building' their skills and having the good coach then may be really a big impact.
For confirmed players, I would say it is more about finding someone whose speech inpires you and pushes you to try new things, consider other point of view, think differently... I think the confirmed players are more after an inspiration. I don't think any coach has managed to improve significantly any confirmed players' shoot (the opposite may be true) but they managed to change their approach of the game.

I remember Toni Nadal's interview in which he explained how Rafa improved his serve. It was actually after talking with Tiger Wood on how he managed to improve his drive. I don't think neither Toni nor TW was able to give any advice to Rafa but they managed to inspire him to train differently.
It would probably haven't work with any rising players for which you need more technical advices.

In my humble opinion

 

[Bert]

I noticed when certain players got into winning streak, some fans claim it was the player who hit all the shots and won matches, and that coaches were only slightly 'complimentary' and not the major cause. For me i tend to believe a coach makes a huge difference to how a player would perform, based on the following:

Murray, prior to lendl he lost finals after finals, since Lendl he won 2 slams and Olympic beating players he simply couldn't beat in big matches before, namely Djoker and Federer. Post Lendl, again lost finals after finals.... i know some try to credit Mauresmo, but with what?

Djokovic, became a double fault machine under Todd Martin, since taking Becker in became a dominant force winning tough matches. I know Boris looks like someone not quite 'right', surely he delivered? Djoker not only has no more double faults, he is quite a decent server now.

Federer, in 2013 he was so bad that players in the 100s wanted a piece of him, Since Edberg he became a contender again, getting into many finals.

@Ricardo Just found this interesting article ! Fits well in the discussion you've started : http://bit.ly/24Ulf7I