How crucial is the role of the coach in the performance of a pro tennis player?

[TennisAficionado]

We all know that Federer went without a coach for some time. Yet he continued to win tournaments (I think even Grand Slams). Do you think it is really possible for someone to go solo in today's professional tennis circuit? How important is the discussion with a coach in a player's success? How important is the team's role (since today it is often teams that help players)?

Might a self-willed player who doesn't want to listen to any advice still make any headway in today's professional tennis circuit? Are there any examples? Is it perhaps the very lack of such originality and the boldness to rely on oneself that is the reason why we don't have any young players breaking into the top 100?

 

[PSNELKE]

I think Pete Sampras once said: "The only thing a coach could teach me is how to toss the ball."

 

[Mustard]

It depends on the player.

 

[NEW_BORN]

Coach = Cheerleader

 

[easywin]

I think the coach is important for many players but not because they say stuff like "do this, do that".

Its more of a mental and self esteem factor. Best proof for that is how often many players look up to their box even though its totally clear that it cant help them.

 

[batz]

It depends on the player.

This.

I'm pretty sure Rafa would still have 13 slams if Toni wasn't his coach. I'm not so convinced that Murray would be a multiple slam winner without Ivan Lendl.

 

[Lukhas]

I'm pretty sure Rafa would still have 13 slams if Toni wasn't his coach. I'm not so convinced that Murray would be a multiple slam winner without Ivan Lendl.

I don't think so. If you pull out videos of early Nadal, he plays nothing like today. And by this I mean stuff even before his first RG, or even by that time when he was on hard court. Toni did a very impressive work with him. Changed his FH grip, added aggressiveness, vastly improved his serve, his BH, ect. I don't think Nadal would even be remotely the same today if not for Toni.

 

[Chico]

It depends on the player.

This.

I'm pretty sure Rafa would still have 13 slams if Toni wasn't his coach. I'm not so convinced that Murray would be a multiple slam winner without Ivan Lendl.

I agree that it depends on the player, but I disagree that Nadal would have 13 slams without Uncle Tony. Uncle Tony is the crucial part of Nadal's success.

In Federer's case for example, the coach does not matter at all. He would still have 17 slams regardless of who is his coach.