Ana Ivanovic takes on Nigel Sears as her new coach – Tennis News
The head coach for the Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) for four and a half years, Nigel Sears has now been hired by the former world number one, Ana Ivanovic of Serbia as her personal coach. The Serb tennis star hired the
services of one of the best in the field of coaching one day ago and is very hopeful for improving her performance on the tennis court after her association with Sears.
“I couldn’t be happier,” Ivanovic said in a statement on Thursday, “I’ve admired Nigel for some time now, and I can’t wait to start working with him on court. It was important that I waited for the right coach, and we are both
excited about the challenges ahead.”
Sears has been providing his services to LTA for more than four years and has also coached Amanda Coetzer and Daniela Hantuchova, two of the Top-10 players in world rankings. He was the captain of Britain’s Fed Cup team and is
reckoned to be one of the best in his profession.
It is anticipated that both Ivanovic and Sears will be engaged in a durable relationship, with Sears signing a long-term contract with the Serb tennis player. Ivanovic has already given several statements this season emphasising
on her need of a long-term commitment with a highly competent professional coach, as she was not able to convince Heinz Gunthardt to be her trainer last year.
The Serb also couldn’t secure a contract with Adidas Player Development coach, Darren Cahill, during the last season. The former world number one has spent most of her time last year in her television work and accompanying her
family, after Gunthardt refused to become her full-time coach.
Most recently, Ivanovic hired Antonio van Grichen as her full-time coach, only to be got separated in two month’s time in February. Van Grichen was the former mentor of fifth ranked, Victoria Azarenka and the world number two Vera
Zvonareva, but her commitment with Ivanovic ended in a very short time for some personal reasons.
Ivanovic’s physical trainer and childhood friend, Marija Lojanica, also parted ways with the Serb tennis star in March this year. Along with Sears, Ivanovic will be looking for a new personal physical trainer soon.
The Serb is currently enjoying her vacations and will start her training sessions with Sears in a couple of weeks, as she is to take part in the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) tournaments in Stanford, San Diego, Toronto and Cincinnati
before she steps up to play in the last Grand Slam tournament of the year, the US Open.
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