7 former tennis players who became coaches

• Former tennis players who became coaches after retiring are a huge part of the sport’s development
• Several tennis players who went on to become coaches share a common philosophy
• Besides honing their technical abilities, they also train on their mental toughness
• One of the greatest American tennis players of all time is Jimmy Connors who became a coach after retiring

Former tennis players who became coaches after retiring are a huge part of the sport’s development. They pass the knowledge they acquired in the court to generations.

Here is a simple philosophy about it all. It’s hard to resist doing something you enjoy. Several tennis players who went on to become coaches share a common philosophy.

It’s important to them that they remain involved in the sport, either as a coach or commentator. As a player’s coach, you gain a wealth of knowledge about his or her game.

Besides honing their technical abilities, they also train on their mental toughness. Tense periods in a match can be difficult to deal with when on-court coaching is prohibited.

We look at former tennis players who became coaches done an excellent job at it.

JIMMY CONNORS

Jimmy Connors. Photo/Tennis World

One of the greatest American tennis players of all time is Jimmy Connors. He had an impressive tally of 109 victories, including eight Grand Slams.

He is among former tennis players who became coaches but he didn’t have the same success he had as a player.

Prior to the Countrywide Classic tournament in 2006, Andy Roddick confirmed Connors as his coach. The association between Connors and Roddick dissolved in 2008.

Connors also served as Maria Sharapova’s coach for two months in the early 1990s.

BORIS BECKER

Boris Becker is the youngest Wimbledon champion in history, having won six Grand Slam singles titles at the age of 17 years.

As of December 2013, he worked with Novak Djokovic as his full-time coach. Under his coaching, the World No. 1 won his second Wimbledon title. He i among former tennis players who became coaches.

BILLY JEAN KING

WTA Tour legend Billy Jean King is well known for his “Battle of the Sexes” appearances. He of the successful former tennis players who became coaches.

As a member of the United States Fed Cup and Olympic tennis coaching teams in the 1990s, King became a household name.

A Fed Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist in 1996, King led the United States to two victories in international play.

King has been keeping active with his tennis commentary on many stations. The Billy Jean King tournament was launched in his honour.

STEFAN EDBERG

Stefan Edberg is one of the reputable former tennis players who became coaches. He won six Grand Slam singles championships during his career.

To his credit, he was an advocate of the serve and volley strategy. Ten years in a row, 9 years in the top 5, the Swede was ranked in the top 10 in singles, and he is widely regarded as one of the finest players from his period.

Roger Federer chose tennis over football as a child because he was inspired by Becker and Edberg.

In December 2013, Federer named Edberg as his new coach.

TONY ROCHE

Tony Roche. Photo/YouTube

Tony Roche won the French Open Singles title in 1966, as well as 13 Grand Slam doubles crowns. Ivan Lendl hired the Australian to improve his serve-and-volley game in order to give him a chance at Wimbledon.

From 1997 until 2002, he served as Pat Rafter’s coach. After hiring him in 2005 to assist enhance his clay court game, Roger Federer hired him on May 12, 2007.

BRAD GILBERT

Brad Gilbert coached Andre Agassi to the height of tennis achievement, and he was rated world No. 4.

Besides, the former tennis player who became coach also had time with Andy Roddick, Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori.

Winning ugly was his style of play and the title of the book he wrote describing his approach for defeating highly competent opponents.

Occasionally, Gilbert works as a tennis analyst for ESPN.

PATRICK MORATOUGLOU

Patrick Mouratoglu is one of the world’s greatest tennis coaches. He coached Serena Williams until recently following her eight-month hamstring injury.

He is among former tennis player who became coaches and excelled. He discovered Stefanos Tsitsipas on YouTube and asked him to train at his Academy in France. He is a master at spotting bright tennis players from afar.

He is now coaching Romanian Simona Halep. Halep is already feeling the benefits of training with Mouratoglou. She expects that the Frenchman will help her win a hard-court Grand Slam.