Q.) What made you want to start coaching, and what key things do all successful coaches need to do?
A.) When I retired in 2005, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do and when I started coaching I realised I really liked the idea of “giving back” and helping players to reach their dreams in tennis. And then way I started the journey of trying to be the best coach I can possibly be. I think successful coaches, need to be: A.) Process oriented. B.) Have high standards. C.) Detail oriented. D.) Great work ethic. E.) Ability to learn and improve all the time. F.) Have the ability and skills to adapt and understand every player is coached differently.
Q.) You were the United States Tennis Association Lead Coach for 10 years – what was your best personal achievement during your time in that role?
A.) I was there for 10 years, many great achievements, in 2015 I won the best coach of the year. Beside that I developed players like Reilly Opelka (seven years), Tommy Paul (eight years) Taylor Fritz (four-and-a-half years), Frances Tiafoe (four years) and Denis Kudla (four-and-a-half years). I also worked with Ryan Harrison, Jack Sock, Sam Querrey, Steve Johnson, Bradley Klahn and Bjorn Fratangelo among others.
Q.) You coached Frances Tiafoe in the past – a young, exciting player that I thoroughly enjoy watching and think has a big future ahead of him. What do you think Frances needs to develop to become a top 16 player and challenge for titles regularly?
A.) Frances is a great player that has the ability to become a top 10 player. I would say, he has room for improvements on his serve, his offensive game and off-court he needs to take care of his body in general.
Q.) Who is the most naturally gifted player you have coached, and why?
A.) Probably one of them is Guillermo Coria, a former world number three ranked player, everything was easy for him.
Q.) If you were to start coaching a new player, would you ever coach them into playing a different style of tennis, or is it a case of refining the weaker parts of their current game and making them a better all-round player?
A.) At first you need to identify how that player feels the game, what are their physical abilities and from there what are their strengths and weaknesses. Once you recognise all that, create a development plan with a holistic approach.
Q.) Why did you make the decision to start coaching Kevin Anderson full-time and leave your role at USTA?
A.) I decided to move back to South Florida for personal reasons so I had to leave the USTA. Then we met with Kevin and I loved the project and I really thought I could help him to reach his objectives.
Q.) Kevin reached the 2018 Wimbledon final and faced Novak Djokovic in the final. One of Kevin’s biggest weapons is his serve, and Djokovic is the best returner of serve ever. Obviously this is before you started coaching him, but hypothetically speaking: When the opponent is likely to neutralise your players biggest weapon, do you look to change the tactics on the serve to perhaps surprise Djokovic, or just believe you can win playing your ‘A-game’?
A.) I really think Kevin has margin to become a overall better player, and have a better all-round game to back up his biggest weapons as such as the serve.
Q.) If you could coach one player, past or present, who and why?
A.) Kevin Anderson. My current player.
Q.) The new crop of women players coming through are so exciting to watch, Bianca Andreescu, Jelena Ostapenko, Naomi Osaka and Sofia Kenin are already grand slam champions. Is there a youngster you particularly like to watch and think could win multiple grand slams?
A.) The young American – Coco Gauff.
Q.) If there is an aspiring Tennis coach reading this, what advice would you give them?
A.) At first design a personal plan to get better every day in different areas. Develop a great work ethic, be patient. Be process and detail oriented.
Thanks to Diego for taking part in an interview with me, follow him on Twitter.
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