Why the Stan and Magnus Norman coaching arrangement has worked so well

I think there are 2 reasons.

1. They arent just coach and student but very good friends. Norman is like a mentor and big brother figure to Stan I think. This helps Stan when he has his emotional moments like crying before the U.S Open final.

2. Stan's biggest technical improvement has been his forehand. It used to be an average shot. Now it is one of the biggest and best overall on tour. In many matches with Del Potro who has the biggest forehand ever, and Federer who has the best overall forehand ever, he wins half or more than half the forehand duels. Norman had one of the best forehands of the 90s and totally fixed and redid Stan's once average forehand and made it an outstanding and overpowering shot.
 
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bjsnider

Hall of Fame
I don't know any specifics except results, but if I were any of the journeymen on the tour, I would be calling Norman every day asking him to coach me too.
 
Norman himself is a feel good story since he made a huge breakthrough in 2000. Reaching the Australian Open final, losing a very tough French Open final to Kuerten where he saved many match points in the 4th set before succumbing. Winning Rome over Kuerten in the final. Rising to world #3. Then injuries wrecked his career completely after that. He could have easily risen to be a slam champion, and maybe a brief #1 during the interim period of mens tennis from 99-2003 otherwise. He certainly would have remained one of the top contenders on clay and slow hard courts. It is great to see him finding his niche as a coach. Such a gentleman and a talented, hard working player, who was dealt some rotten luck.
 

H_Richardson

Semi-Pro
He has done absolute wonders with Stan. He did the same with Soderling and he has turned Stan from a traditionally talented but 'choking'-type player to a big match fighter.
 
Let's not forget to give credit to Stan's physical trainer, Pierre Paganini ( also working with Federer these last years ).

I read an interview of Magnus N. in the French "L'Equipe" and he was saying: " ( Paganini ) built Stan like a big diesel truck but with the ability to accelerate like a 700 hp race car..."

:)
 
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