Greatest tennis coaches of all time

[Pete M.]

I don’t know if there is any topic about these but I would like to know your opinion (or list if you have it) about the greatest tennis coaches of all time.

But first, I would like to ask some questions: what is your opinion about the real importance of tennis coaches? Can they really make the difference in the pro’s careers? Comparing to other sports like football, what similarities and differences do you see? Finally, do you think ex-professional players with a discreet pro career are better coaches then the ex-best pros?

Thank you in advance.

 

[BobbyOne]

I don’t know if there is any topic about these but I would like to know your opinion (or list if you have it) about the greatest tennis coaches of all time.

But first, I would like to ask some questions: what is your opinion about the real importance of tennis coaches? Can they really make the difference in the pro’s careers? Comparing to other sports like football, what similarities and differences do you see? Finally, do you think ex-professional players with a discreet pro career are better coaches then the ex-best pros?

Thank you in advance.

Pete M, I'm convinced that Harry Hopman is the all-time greatest tennis coach. He educated giants like Sedgman, Hoad, Rosewall, Laver, Emerson, Newcome and Roche among several other great players. Harry himself was a fine player but not a great player.

 

[newpball]

But first, I would like to ask some questions: what is your opinion about the real importance of tennis coaches? Can they really make the difference in the pro’s careers? Comparing to other sports like football, what similarities and differences do you see? Finally, do you think ex-professional players with a discreet pro career are better coaches then the ex-best pros?

Seems to me it is pretty important, for a beginning pro everything is new, he really does not want to learn everything the hard way. To have a person help you who has been around in the 'circus' is going to be a great help.

 

[jaggy]

Judy Murray......OK I'll get my coat

 

[robow7]

Hoppy - obvious !

Though you might not care for the guy, Brad Gilbert's players have done well for themselves and Jose Higueras' students haven't done too shabby either.

 

[Pete M.]

Pete M, I'm convinced that Harry Hopman is the all-time greatest tennis coach. He educated giants like Sedgman, Hoad, Rosewall, Laver, Emerson, Newcome and Roche among several other great players. Harry himself was a fine player but not a great player.

I have to agree with you but I should mention others names for this discussion: Bob Brett, Gilbert (someone already mencioned), Tony Roche (Federer's prime years was under his guidance), Lennart Berglin for all the great work developed with Borg and, similar case, we can mention Toni Nadal as well. Richard Williams, Larisa Preobrazhenskaya and Nick Bollettieri should also be mentioned.

 

[BobbyOne]

I have to agree with you but I should mention others names for this discussion: Bob Brett, Gilbert (someone already mencioned), Tony Roche (Federer's prime years was under his guidance), Lennart Berglin for all the great work developed with Borg and, similar case, we can mention Toni Nadal as well. Richard Williams, Larisa Preobrazhenskaya and Nick Bollettieri should also be mentioned.

Pete M, Yes all of them successful but I did not know Larisa with the most difficult name...

 

[embot]

Pete M, I'm convinced that Harry Hopman is the all-time greatest tennis coach. He educated giants like Sedgman, Hoad, Rosewall, Laver, Emerson, Newcome and Roche among several other great players. Harry himself was a fine player but not a great player.

Hopman is my choice too. Here in the United States I believe he coached John McEnroe as well.

I'd also like to add Robert Lansdorp to the list of great coaches.

 

[muddlehead]

no brainer

Let's see. He coached, for all practical purposes, by himself, two sisters - each one reaching numero uno in the world. One is in the discussion of the greatest to ever play. Richard Williams.

 

[Warmaster]

Lennart Bergelin deserves a mention for coaching Borg. He played a very important role in his life.

 

[90's Clay]

Gullickson??

 

[Pete M.]

An interesting article about this: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703946504575469961990822120.html

 

[suwanee4712]

Gosh, so many great ones! My greatest vote would go to Harry Hopman because of his Davis Cup success and his wide sphere of influence that stretched even to Billie Jean King and Mac.

Someone that might get overlooked but shouldn't would be Vera Sukova. She along with Jan Kukal and Jiri Medonos created a formiddable Czech team for many years.

Others that may get overlooked are the American college coaches. Dan Magill and Manuel Diaz are legends in my part of the world at Georgia. Andy Brandi built a womens powerhouse at Florida and also had a hand in helping Kathy Rinaldi. How many titles and players did Dick Gould inspire at Stanford? Probably more than anyone else. I'm no fan of his, but Dennis Ralston is very accomplished.

If I was an agent and could pick a coach for my player, Billie Jean King might be the first I would call. There are some coaches i would never consider.

 

[BTURNER]

Jimmy Evert coached his daughter Jeanne Evert along with a couple of others. It seemed to go well despite the nepotism.

 

[kiki]

The same happened with Roland Jaeger and his two daughters, both professionals: Suzy and Andrea