Do super-coaches bring success?

Agassi, Becker, Lendl, Chang, Ivanisevic, Edberg, Connors, McEnroe, Moya, Brugera, Krajicek the list of former champions recruited to coach modern tennis players points to the wealth in the game and a modern player’s resources. The rewards on offer for tennis’s top players allows them to leave no stone unturned in the search for glory.

But what return do the old masters return on this investment?

As we approach the brick dust of Roland Garros it is worth noting that of the ATP top ten players, half will have a former slam champion present in their box. Only two of the top ten (Zverev and Thiem) have never utilized a former champion in their coaching team, as the two youngest players in the top ten, there is still plenty of time. German Zverev told newspaper Bild that he wants to work with Boris Becker:

“Boris could definitely help me to improve my game. But if I want to work with him, first I have to win some tournaments because at the moment I cannot afford it. So if I wanted to do it, I would have to wait at least a couple of years.”

Andy Murray’s relationship with Ivan Lendl was seen as the catalyst for the hiring of super-coaches but it really began with Andy Roddick hiring Jimmy Connors in 2006.

The relationship between coach and tennis professional is complicated. Technically the coach is the employee and the player is, therefore, the employer. Coaching in tennis is also all about preparation, once the match starts there is nothing the coach can do other than watch unless play is suspended.

Once a match starts the player needs to be able to adapt to any situation independently, whether it has been prepared for or not. A good coach should prepare their player for multiple scenarios and help them to recognize what they are doing well and what they are doing wrong. If a player loses it is often easy to blame a coach.

Super-coaches have advantages over normal coaches, they have experienced what the elite player is going through physically, psychologically and emotionally. They know how to achieve but they also know how to deal with defeat.

The biggest advantage the super-coach has though is that they supersede the employee/employer relationship. Having had a successful tennis career of their own they do not need to work. Their goal is to support their player and to continue to achieve in the game they love.

The super-coach is doing the modern player the favour.

Andy Murray curbs his temper tantrums when Lendl is in his box. Why would Lendl tolerate such behavior? A super-coach has the authority to boss the modern player despite being an employee. Given that the modern player is super rich this may be exactly what they need.

How successful are super coaches?

Becker helped Djokovic win six slams in tandem with his old coaching team that had previously helped Novak win six slams.

Lendl has assisted Murray in getting over the line and winning three slams.

Goran Ivanesevic coached Marin Cilic to the 2014 US Open title but now coaches Berdych.

Milso Raonic is the super-coach connoisseur having been coached by Carlos Moya, John McEnroe and now Richard Krajicek.

Krajicek coached Stan Wawrinka to the 2016 US Open before joining the Raonic team.

Michael Chang has been part of Kei Nishikori’s team since 2014 but supports Dante Bottini who is Nishikori’s full-time coach.

Rafael Nadal had no need for super-coaches, he was happy with Uncle Toni. Working together had brought them 14 major championships, but for 2017 Carlos Moya has joined the team, moving from Raonic’s team.

Roger Federer recruited Stefan Edberg to work with him, but the six-time major winner could not help Federer add to his tally of 17 majors. Ivan Ljubicic replaced Edberg and Federer managed to win another major championship showing that you can win tournaments without super-coaches.

The return of Agassi and the popularity of having a super-coach means that there aren’t many former players left for the modern player to recruit. Pete Sampras is the biggest untapped resource, could he be paired with an American prospect? No American has won a major since Andy Roddick won the US Open in 2003.

Pat Rafter or Leyton Hewitt could return to the game and temper the volatile yet talented Nick Kygios. Australia has not had a men’s champion since Hewitt won Wimbledon in 2002.

Former champions have a lot to offer the current generation of players. Their services are being taken up and dispensed with in what seems like a super-coach merry-go-round. Super-coaches can bring success and have a lot to offer. They also add levels of interest to the game by bringing old rivalries to life again, 2016’s slam finals saw:

Becker vs Lendl – Australian Open

Becker vs Lendl – French Open

Lendl vs McEnroe – Wimbledon

Becker vs Krajicek – US Open

Roland Garros begins on Sunday. Will a former champion be standing behind the player that lifts the Coupe des Mousquetaires?