Tip of the Week: The Coaching Roller Coaster

Being a tennis coach for a very long time helps me understand a lot of the things that go on in the tennis world. Even so, there are some things that I just don’t get. 

I have been on both ends of the hiring and firing coaching line. This has taught me to be patient, persistent, resilient, and never surprised. Many times when a player has success, the coach is given some of the credit. When a player is unsuccessful, the coach is often the first person held responsible. Because most professional players now have a “team” of coaches, fitness experts, physiotherapists, sports psychologists, etc., it is not that easy to single out one individual’s contribution to the player’s results. More and more coaches are being fired by the players when they are struggling or not reaching their “potential”.

New coaches are brought in with the expectation that they will “make the difference”. Even though coaching on the ATP and WTA tours is now allowed (to a certain degree) during a match, it is still the player who must execute the shots and the strategy during the point. I actually think that the added coaching these players are getting in the modern game, may be a deterrent as far as learning goes. Many players look up to the box after every mistake or any time they are frustrated or faced with adversity. At some point the players need to take responsibility and realize that the coaches can only do so much once the player has stepped on to the court.

Coaches of junior players face many of the same issues. The parents tend to be the one making the coaching decisions. If the coach and the parents aren’t exactly on the same page, a “change” often takes place. Sometimes this happens even when the player feels the coach is helping them, but due to the lack of “results”, the parents feel a new situation is necessary. This often creates a lot of confusion and can slow down the player’s improvement.

My message to all players, beginner to professional, is to find someone who is knowledgeable, communicates well, and genuinely cares about you as a player and a person. Part of the player’s job is to use the information given to them to help increase the chances of hitting a good shot, putting a few good shots together, and winning more points than the opponent. They must also learn how to deal with adversity and overcome the numerous disappointments that occur on the tennis court.

My final advice is that if you win a Grand Slam with a certain coach, it might make sense to give them the benefit of the doubt and provide them with the opportunity to help you repeat that great success in the future. I think most people would agree that this only makes sense.

Steve Annacone, USPTA Elite Pro, is the Director of Annacone Tennis, www.annaconetennis.com and MyHamptonsPro, www.myhamptonspro.com throughout the Hamptons, NY. Steve, Phil Lepisto, and Gill Gross run the ACT (Advanced Competition Team) program at the Tucson Jewish Community Center (Tucson, AZ) for high level players ages 8-18. Please contact Steve at sannacone@tucsonjcc.org or 865-300-7323.