Tennis

Gilles Cervara's journey in tennis began at the age of 15, when he was captivated by the game. Despite his late start, Cervara's passion for coaching led him to become one of the most respected minds in the sport.In 2019, Cervara's career took a pivotal turn when he became the coach of Daniil Medvedev, a young Russian with immense talent but an unconventional style. Cervara recognized Medvedev's unique qualities and tailored his coaching approach to suit his personality.Cervara's belief in Medvedev's abilities proved fruitful. In 2019, Medvedev broke into the Top 5, and in 2021, he achieved his greatest triumph by defeating Novak Djokovic to win the US Open. This victory cemented Medvedev's status as a major champion and etched Cervara's name in tennis history.Cervara's coaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of understanding the individual needs of each player. He believes in fostering a strong personal connection and helping players discover their inner resources. This approach has been instrumental in Medvedev's success, as it has allowed him to embrace his unique style and reach his full potential.Cervara's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of finding one's passion. His journey from an outsider to a respected coach demonstrates that it is never too late to make a mark in the world.

Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has announced that Goran Ivanisevic will be her new coach for the 2025 season. The news came as a surprise to many, as Rybakina had recently parted ways with her long-time coach, Stefano Vukov.Rybakina, who is currently ranked No. 5 in the world, has been seeking a new coach to help her take her game to the next level. She believes that Ivanisevic, a former Wimbledon champion and successful coach, is the ideal person to guide her."I'm really looking forward to this partnership," Rybakina said. "I think he's a great champion and he has so much experience. I'm really looking forward to start...for me [it] was important to get better."Ivanisevic, who has coached several top players in the past, including Novak Djokovic, is excited to work with Rybakina. He believes that she has the potential to become one of the best players in the world."I'm very happy to be working with Elena," Ivanisevic said. "She's a great player with a lot of potential. I think we can work together to achieve great things."Rybakina and Ivanisevic will begin working together during the pre-season and will continue their partnership into the 2025 season. Rybakina is confident that Ivanisevic can help her reach her full potential."I'm sure since he said 'Yes' he also, so...It's just very interesting for me," Rybakina said. "I want to learn. I'm just looking forward. As we just said, it's something new for me. Also, I've been with one coach for long time. I want to learn."Ivanisevic has a proven track record of success as a coach. He helped Djokovic win nine major titles, two ATP Finals titles, and seven Masters 1000s. Rybakina is hoping that Ivanisevic can help her achieve similar success.

Naomi Osaka's return to the China Open in Beijing after a five-year absence has sparked significant attention, not only for her on-court performance but also for the rumored addition of Patrick Mouratoglou to her coaching team.Mouratoglou, a renowned coach who previously worked with Serena Williams, has been spotted alongside Osaka in Beijing, fueling speculation that he has taken over the coaching reins from Wim Fissette. Osaka confirmed her split with Fissette last week but has remained tight-lipped about Mouratoglou's involvement.Osaka's arrival in Beijing marks her first appearance at the tournament since 2019, when she emerged victorious. The tournament was subsequently canceled for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, returning last year while Osaka was on maternity leave.Currently ranked 76th in the world, Osaka has benefited from the withdrawals of Caroline Garcia, Marie Bouzkova, and Caroline Wozniacki, which granted her direct entry into the tournament.Defending champion Iga Swiatek will not participate in this year's event due to personal reasons, leaving the door open for Osaka to make a deep run.Osaka's partnership with Mouratoglou, if confirmed, would be a significant development in her career. Mouratoglou's expertise and experience could prove invaluable as Osaka aims to regain her former dominance on the WTA Tour.

Naomi Osaka and coach Wim Fissette have parted ways for the second time, the former world No. 1 announced on social media. The split comes after a four-year partnership that yielded two Grand Slam titles for Osaka.Osaka hired Fissette ahead of the 2020 season, and they won the US Open that year and the Australian Open in 2021. However, they split in the summer of 2022, with Osaka citing a need for a change.They reunited last year as Osaka returned to tennis after the birth of her daughter. However, Osaka's results have been disappointing since her comeback, with the Japanese star failing to reach the second round of any Grand Slam tournament this year.Osaka's announcement came amid reports that she has been training with Patrick Mouratoglou, the former coach of Serena Williams. Mouratoglou has a reputation for working with top players, and his addition to Osaka's team could signal a renewed push for Grand Slam glory.Osaka's split with Fissette is the latest in a series of coaching changes for the Japanese star. She has previously been coached by her father, Leonard Francis, and Sascha Baijin, with whom she won two Grand Slam titles.It remains to be seen who will replace Fissette as Osaka's coach. However, the Japanese star will be hoping that a new partnership can help her rediscover her best form and challenge for more Grand Slam titles.

Unbox Sports: Empowering Tennis Coaches with Representation and OpportunityThe tennis industry has witnessed a groundbreaking development with the launch of Unbox Sports, a sports agency dedicated to elevating the value of professional tennis coaches. Founded by Yannick Yoshizawa, a seasoned industry veteran, Unbox Sports aims to create a new community for coaches, providing them with talent representation, service consultation, and a platform to showcase their expertise.Yoshizawa, who has worked with the WTA and other tennis organizations, recognized the need for greater recognition and support for coaches. "You all make a huge difference and you aren't recognized enough," he told a gathering of tennis professionals at the launch event.Unbox Sports offers a comprehensive range of services to its clients, including dedicated benefits, universal certification, media exposure, contract negotiations, and commercial investments. The agency believes that coaches should not be put in a position where they have to ask for more money or settle for less than they deserve."We want to support you, and if that means being the bad guy sometimes, so be it," Yoshizawa said.The agency has already signed five renowned coaches to its roster: Wim Fissette, Naomi Osaka's coach; Sandra Zaniewska, Marta Kostyuk's coach; Tom Hill, Peyton Stearn's coach; Benjamin Ebrahimzadeh, an ATP and WTA coach; and Carlos Kirmayr, GPTCA National President of Brazil and WTA coach.Fissette, who has coached some of the world's top players, expressed his enthusiasm for Unbox Sports. "I always loved coaching, but looking for jobs, speaking to agents, negotiating, getting the contract done—these were all things that I didn't like and was also difficult," he said.Unbox Sports believes that there is untapped potential for coaches to engage in brand deals and media exposure. Zaniewska noted that coaches have the time and expertise to contribute beyond their work with players."There is space for it, and there is interest for it," she said.However, Fissette pointed out that good sponsor deals for coaches are not as common as in other sports. "They constantly show coaches on TV. If you watch Alcaraz, you see his coach all the time after every point," he said.Unbox Sports aims to change this by leveraging the accessibility of tennis coaches and their visibility on television. The agency believes that coaches can become valuable partners for brands and media outlets.

Barbora Krejcikova's Wimbledon triumph has not only earned her the coveted title but also a potential new coaching role from none other than pop icon P!nk. The Grammy-winning singer, an avid tennis enthusiast, has expressed her admiration for the Czech champion and extended an invitation to become her coach.Krejcikova and P!nk's connection dates back to last year's Indian Wells tournament, where the singer participated in a charity exhibition match and witnessed Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova's doubles victory. The pop star has since become a fan of Krejcikova, describing her as "a big star in Czech."After Krejcikova's thrilling 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory over Jasmine Paolini in the Wimbledon final, P!nk was among the first to congratulate the newly crowned champion. In a heartwarming encounter, the singer embraced Krejcikova and exclaimed, "Hi champ!"Krejcikova expressed her gratitude for P!nk's support, saying, "You liked it?" To which the singer replied, "I didn't like it! Don't ever do that again. ... I am so proud of all of you. That was so stressful."In a playful moment, Krejcikova invited P!nk to watch her from her player's box in the future. The singer responded with a joke, "Listen, don't threaten me with a good time," before declaring Krejcikova her "new coach."P!nk's presence at Wimbledon was part of a star-studded weekend that included appearances from Tom Cruise, Anna-Taylor Joy, Hugh Jackman, and Zendaya. The singer's admiration for Krejcikova and her potential coaching role have added an unexpected twist to the Wimbledon story.