Roddick hires new coach

[Springfield]

Roddick splits with Gilbert after 1 1/2 years
By HOWARD FENDRICH, AP Tennis Writer
December 14, 2004

Andy Roddick split with coach Brad Gilbert after 1 1/2 years together that yielded a U.S. Open title and the No. 1 ranking.

No specific reason was given for the surprising change in a statement Roddick released Monday through SFX Sports Group.

``The decision to not rehire Brad Gilbert for the 2005 season is based on what I think is best for my game at this time,'' Roddick said. ``Any more on this situation is a private matter between coach and player. That being said, I enjoyed my time with Brad and wish him continued success in his future.''

Roddick went 121-26 (an .823 winning percentage) and won nine titles with Gilbert, including his first Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows last year. Roddick finished 2003 atop the ATP Tour rankings to become, at 21, the second-youngest American to end a season there.

But Roddick was relegated to No. 2 this year behind Roger Federer, who became the first man since 1988 to win three majors in a season. Federer, who hasn't had a coach since firing Peter Lundgren at the end of last year, beat Roddick for the Wimbledon title and in two other tournament finals to improve to 8-1 against the American over their careers.

``I have enjoyed all of my time with Andy. He has been a great student of the game during the time that we worked together and I am very proud of the results that were achieved,'' Gilbert wrote on his Web site Monday. ``While I believe that there is still a great deal of work to be done, Andy clearly does not feel that way.''

It wasn't immediately clear who might replace Gilbert, who was not in Spain with Roddick for the Davis Cup final this month. WUSA-TV in Washington, D.C., reported Monday night that Roddick agreed to terms with Dean Goldfine, who has worked with Todd Martin and was an assistant coach with the U.S. Davis Cup and Olympic teams.

``I can't confirm there was an offer from Andy to Dean, but it's not uncommon for players who work with USTA coaches to hire them as their personal coaches,'' U.S. Tennis Association spokesman Tim Curry said.

After losing in the first round of the 2003 French Open, Roddick parted with longtime coach Tarik Benhabiles and hired Gilbert, who had helped Andre Agassi resurrect his career.

To that point last year, Roddick was 25-11 with one title. After teaming with Gilbert, Roddick went 47-8 the rest of the season with five titles, including his first at a Grand Slam.

This season, Roddick went 74-18 with four titles.

At Wimbledon this summer, where he wound up reaching his second career major final, Roddick discussed Gilbert's help.

``One of the coolest things about working with Brad was he came in, and he's like, 'Listen, we're going to simplify things. You're going to take what you've got, enforce it on your opponent. We're going to study each opponent, know what they do,''' Roddick said then. ``It wasn't all this technical mumbo-jumbo. He made it very simple.''

 

[VashTheStampede]

Sorry pal, someone beat you to it.

I'll say "'Doh!" for you.

 

[atatu]

Well, the info about Dean Goldfine is new, unless it's in one of the 115 posts following the original thread below (which I didn't read).

 

[VashTheStampede]

True...I admit to making the mistake of reading only half the article. I guess I'm the one who should say "Doh!"

 

[Vlad]

Who the heck is Goldfine? I never heard of him...

 

[Datacipher]

Who the heck is Goldfine? I never heard of him...

Goldfine has been around a long time. I don't have personal experience/info on him at all, but I think he is well respected. He's worked with a number of pros besides Martin. Malisse, Mary Joe Fernandez, Aaron Krickstein and others...

 

[Noelle]

He's a USTA coach, and I think he's an assistant coach for the Davis Cup team. Here's the USTA article which announced when he was named part of the men's coaching staff:
http://www.usta.com/topspintv/fullstory.sps?iNewsID=29918&itype=&iCategoryID=

Goldfine, a resident of Aventura, Fla., was Todd Martin’s personal coach from 1996-2002. Martin enjoyed his best year as a pro in 1999 under Goldfine’s tutelage. That year Martin earned a career-high ranking of No. 4 in the world, reached the singles final at the US Open and qualified for the ATP’s season-ending championship. He has also coached Xavier Malisse, Aaron Krickstein, Mary Joe Fernandez and 1995 ATP Doubles Champions Grant Connell and Patrick Gailbraith. Goldfine played varsity tennis at Texas A&M from 1983-87.

 

[Metzler]

Coached Fish and a quiet type like Tarik - a better match for Roddick than the flamboyant Gilbert. Predictably, Roddick back-stabbed Gilbert rather than letting it appear a mutual decision.

 

[pound cat]

BBC...Wed 7amEST

Roddick in talks over new coach

Roddick splits from coach Gilbert
Andy Roddick is reportedly close to confirming US Davis Cup assistant Dean Goldfine as his new coach.
Roddick ended his 18-month partnership with Brad Gilbert on Monday, and Goldfine admits talks have taken place.

"We had a really good conversation and we're on the same page in terms of what I expect from a player in commitment and what he wants," said Goldfine.

"The reading I got from him is that I would have a lot of the qualities he's looking for in a coach."

Speaking to told South Florida's Sun-Sentinel newspaper, Goldfine added: "That being said, from his standpoint, which is smart, he wants to cover all his bases.

"I think Andy wants a long-term relationship and wants to make sure it's the right fit... the best fit."

(Goldfine is 39)

 

[drakulie]

Roddick would have been better off hiring Roger Federer as his new coach. Who better to give him advice on how to beat him, than himself.

 

[@wright]

I think Andy should hire Mr. T. as his coach. What is tougher than overcoming cancer?

 

[Sean Dugan]

Roddick is a top five player. How hard would it be to coach him? Mike Agassi's right. Guys at that level don't really need coaches. What could a coach tell Roddick? Learn how to volley better? Come in behind your serve more? Work on your return game? Duh! $100,000+ a year for stating the obvious. Where can I get a job like that?

I bet Brad ends up with Safin. Although Safin likes to party too much, sort of like Mark P. And is a flake, sort of like Goran. Hard to coach someone not to be themselves.

 

[VashTheStampede]

Roddick is a top five player. How hard would it be to coach him? Mike Agassi's right. Guys at that level don't really need coaches. What could a coach tell Roddick? Learn how to volley better? Come in behind your serve more? Work on your return game? Duh! $100,000+ a year for stating the obvious. Where can I get a job like that?

I bet Brad ends up with Safin. Although Safin likes to party too much, sort of like Mark P. And is a flake, sort of like Goran. Hard to coach someone not to be themselves.

Nah. Brad won't end up with Safin. I'm sure Gilbert would love to coach him, but not vice versa. Safin would probably pull a Latrell Sprewell on Gilbert for being a chatterbox. I personally don't see that working out.

 

[BreakPoint]

How about Gilbert working with Mardy Fish? I mean Fish could definitely use some help with the mental game and some strategy work. But it's unlikely to happen because, you know, there's that unwritten rule that you can't date your best friend's ex-girlfriend. :lol:

 

[Kevin Patrick]

more from tennisweek:

In an interview with Tennis Week this (Wednesday) morning, the Davis Cup captain endorsed Goldfine for the job and said if Roddick does hire him it will be for the long run rather than the short term.

"I've heard Dean has been mentioned and I don't think that's solidified yet though I know he's at the top of the list," McEnroe told Tennis Week. "I think he realizes that Brad was great for him and that Brad helped him get to the next level, but Andy is a very intelligent guy and he's not the kind of guy who just changes coaches for the sake of change. Whoever he hires, I think, will be with him for a while. I think Andy knows what he wants, he knows what he's got to do to continue to develop as a player and I think he's looking for someone who has a full-range plan for his game and his fitness and who can push him in the way he needs to be pushed. I do know Dino well and if he does get the job I think he would be great and I think he'd do a tremendous job with Andy. Dino is a coach's coach. He's a very dedicated coach, who puts his player first."

In terms of temperament, Goldfine may be everything Gilbert isn't. An intelligent, subdued presence, Goldfine is not the type of coach you'd expect to conduct a book tour after a season on the ATP Tour, launch his own web site or become a regular on sports talk radio. Goldfine is not the high-profile presence Gilbert is and in terms of sheer vocal volume, comparing Gilbert to Goldfine is a bit like comparing Metallica to Mozart. Throughout his coaching career, Goldfine's focus has been on helping his players and he has a successful track record coaching Todd Martin, who was recently hired by Mardy Fish as his new coach, Mary Joe Fernandez, Xavier Malisse, Aaron Krickstein and 1995 ATP doubles champions Grant Connell and Patrick Gailbraith in the past.

In his eight-year tenure as Martin's coach, Goldfine helped Martin produce his best season as a pro in 1999 when Martin reached a career-high rank of No. 4 and advanced to the U.S. Open final before falling to Andre Agassi in five sets. Goldfine, who remains good friends with Martin, has the reputation among his former players as the type of man more interested in actually coaching than talking about coaching.

"Andy may be looking for someone who's a little more low key," McEnroe said. "I think he and Brad are sort of similar personalities. Obviously, Brad's a great coach and knows the game. I think Andy felt like he needed a change and he needed someone that brings the same kind of tennis mind and skills and is a little bit more low key."

In his work coaching under McEnroe on the Olympic and Davis Cup teams, Goldfine established a good rapport with all the players as a positive presence and earned their respect as a coach who brings a clear, straight forward, diligent approach to his work.

"I can tell you that I've known Dino for a while and that he really worked out well for me and all the guys on the team," McEnroe said. "I brought him in for the Olympics because we had so many guys on the team and all the guys really liked him. He's got a good personality, he's positive, and there's no B.S. about him. The guys know he's worked with an accomplished player like Todd Martin and they respect Dino. He's a real coach's coach and he loves doing it. He's in great shape and he actually gets out there and runs with the guys and leads by example. I think he's got the right personality for the job and at the end of the day it's not necessarily about the coach, but if the player is comfortable with that coach because they spend so much time together."

Closing the gap on Federer may not have played a significant part in Roddick's decision to dismiss Gilbert. It's possible that Roddick, who grew up admiring Agassi and has played several exhibitions with his boyhood hero, has been influenced by Agassi's evolution as a player and his commitment to continuing to explore every possible avenue of self-improvement.

"I don't think the Federer factor was a huge factor in Andy's decision; I think it's more that Andy is committed to becoming the best possible player he can be and this is part of that process," McEnroe said. "He's definitely in great shape, he's committed and he still has a lot of things he can improve upon. Remember, Andy has still got the best serve in tennis, he's got a great forehand and if he comes in at the right time it will make the volley easier on him and as you've seen he handles the high volleys effectively. That's where his transition game will help."

 

[Marius_Hancu]

more from tennisweek:

In an interview with Tennis Week this (Wednesday) morning, the Davis Cup captain endorsed Goldfine for the job and said if Roddick does hire him it will be for the long run rather than the short term.

Things are getting too public in this audition, seems to sound like an auction)

 

[Brian Purdie]

I was really hoping Roddick would hire PatMac, thus luring him away from Davis Cup coaching responsibilities and allowing someone with an ounce of dignity to represent the US. Too bad.

Anyone know anything else about this guy other than the people he's coached and his Texas A&M experience? Does he prefer to teach all court, baseline, clay courters, or S&V?

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Anyone know anything else about this guy other than the people he's coached and his Texas A&M experience? Does he prefer to teach all court, baseline, clay courters, or S&V?

Just speculating: someone who worked 5 years with Todd must be pretty versatile, also a sound, solid person. Also, someone who worked with Grant Connell must enjoy S-V.

 

[pound cat]

Gilbert's comment: (from his website)

Gilbert's web site was slightly more forthcoming, reflecting his surprise at the decision. "I have enjoyed all of my time with Andy," Gilbert wrote. "He has been a great student of the game during the time that we worked together and I am very proud of the results that were achieved. While I believe that there is still a great deal of work to be done, Andy clearly does not feel that way."

 

[davey25]

If Roddick will keep firing coaches when he is not #1 then..

If Roddick fires his coach after he spends a year not at #1, he will have a new coach every year ala Jim Courier, since he will never be #1 again. If he thinks a new coach will put him past Roger at #1 again he is crazy and will keep rehiring a new coach every year like Courier deluding himself it will take him past Roger to #1. I could see his career going Courier-like from this point on.
He has already reached his best tennis and cant improve and the others will keep improving and dropping him like they did Courier, while he changes from coach to coach like Courier, and deludes himself a new coach will take him to #1 like Courier.