What makes Sascha Bajin such a good hitting partner?

[Slicerman]

I think everyone knows by now that Sascha Bajin is currently the coach of Naomi Osaka. He was also previously the regular hitting/training partner of Serena and Azarenka. He seems to be highly sought out by the top WTA players to be a training partner. What do you think are the attributes that make a good hitting partner? (eg. on the pro tour and also in your own tennis)

 

[The Stranger]

His dedication to his player, and the trust they put in him, and how he earns that trust.
This is from observing him first hand down at Chrissy's place in Boca(where my daughter trains).

Also this is another example of his dedication to his player.
During the CitiOpen, after a gullywasher of a storm. I saw Sascha approach a grounds worker working one of the big court blowdryers and asked them how it worked. How to start it and operate it. He then asked the guy if he could take it.

The guy shrugged his shoulders,and let Sascha wheel it off the court.
But to get to get to the practice courts(which I then saw why he wanted it)...meant lifting it up a flight of stairs. He did so without hesitation.
And off he went to blow off the court for his player.


No other coach did that....or even thought about that.

Naomi didn't do all that well at that tournament.

But if you want to coach, your player has to trust you 100%. The only way to get that trust, is to earn it.

He earns it.

 

[EloQuent]

By now he deserves to be called a coach, not just a hitting partner.

Completely irrelevant question but his nickname is "big Sascha" does anyone know why? In pictures he doesn't seem particularly big.

Oh and I don't know the answer to OP's question. He seems very dedicated and pleasant, just a nice person.

 

[The Stranger]

Serena should have shared the pizza!

 

[Shaolin]

Sad...the term "hitting partner" is gonna haunt this guy forever...even after coaching his player to a slam and masters win this year.

 

[EloQuent]

Sad...the term "hitting partner" is gonna haunt this guy forever...even after coaching his player to a slam and masters win this year.

He's 34 years old. Could potentially have 20+ years as a coach ahead of him.

 

[Tshooter]

Get's the ball back ?

 

[tennis_pro]

Sad...the term "hitting partner" is gonna haunt this guy forever...even after coaching his player to a slam and masters win this year.

Maybe I'm ignorant but I didn't even know who this guy was before today so to me he'll always be a coach.

 

[Sudacafan]

I think everyone knows by now that Sascha Bajin is currently the coach of Naomi Osaka.

Sorry, I didn’t know.

 

[Sudacafan]

Maybe I'm ignorant but I didn't even know who this guy was before today so to me he'll always be a coach.

I join you in your ignorance. Don’t feel on your own.

 

[Standaa]

I like any Sascha that isn’t Zverev.

 

[Sudacafan]

Sad...the term "hitting partner" is gonna haunt this guy forever...even after coaching his player to a slam and masters win this year.

So just imagine when this hitting partner becomes a coach!

 

[Sudacafan]

Get's the ball back ?

Always.

 

[Standaa]

Completely irrelevant question but his nickname is "big Sascha" does anyone know why? In pictures he doesn't seem particularly big.

Maybe only some girls call him that.

 

[EloQuent]

man, I walked right into that

 

[Deleted member 735320]

man, I walked right into that

He is a rather nice looking fellow. I imagine it is fun to have a hunk across the net to practice with and not Lendl.

 

[Deleted member 293577]

Hitting partner... is that what the kids are calling it nowadays?

 

[Tommy Haas]

WTA players like having male hitting partners because they want to get used to hitting against power players such as Serena and Venus. Dennis Quaid once stole Sascha's date at Serena's party.

 

[Soianka]

I think he's tall hence the nickname and also muscular

 

[True Fanerer]

Who TF is that

 

[Sentinel]

Sad...the term "hitting partner" is gonna haunt this guy forever...even after coaching his player to a slam and masters win this year.

Actually, I've seen him for years in Serena's box but not known what his role or function was. It's only now that I've come to know he was SW's hp. I'll remember him more for being Osaka's coach.

Talking of haunting forever, i think what happened that day will haunt SW forever.

 

[The Stranger]

Here is a good interview with him.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjAAegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw3KYhXYLqOFqJLY5rYgLtkY

 

[Chanwan]

Here is a good interview with him.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjAAegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw3KYhXYLqOFqJLY5rYgLtkY

Interview was published 27th of August. Quote: I think that if two or three matches go our way this hard court season a lot of other players are going to be in trouble."
True that!