
So the parting of ways with Josh – that seemed very amicable?
“Oh it’s fine. We didn’t have a fight or anything like that. There was actually no issue. But we spoke in Hong Kong and in the end Josh was like, I still think you can do something really good in tennis, but there’s something you can maybe be better at or maybe just hear it differently, or something, that might click (with someone else). I think we did pretty well considering – we worked for two years. It started out as ‘oh Josh can you come and help me through the US Open Series’ and turned into a two-year relationship. I enjoyed travelling with him and he gave me lots of insight and things to think about and helped me on and off the court. It was just (a matter of) maybe we’ve done all we can do.”
So what are you looking for in a new coach?
“I only want a coach if I really think we’re on the same page and they obviously really think they can help me (laughter). It’s a maybe slightly different scenario for me now, because I feel I’m really clear on what I need to do … I feel like given my experience and my age it can be more of a combined type thing; it doesn’t need to be going to the court and you stand there and you wait for the coach to tell you exactly what to do. I know through all the years of playing, OK, this is how I feel I’ve gotten to the point of playing my best. You don’t have to spend time working that out, necessarily. Also, given my age, you don’t have maybe that luxury of spending six months getting to know each other. I don’t want to spend that time getting to know someone and then be like, oh, actually, it wasn’t right. I don’t know how you necessarily get around that, but I want to make sure it’s right.”
If you can’t quickly find someone who’s the right fit, are you open to going solo?
“Yeah. I would. Matt (Coridas), my trainer, he’s fantastic. He’s my trainer but he’s actually very good tennis wise and can help come up with some ideas. We’ve talked a lot about actual tennis, not just ‘here’s your footwork, here’s your strength.’ And he was really involved with Josh and me so has a pretty good handle on things. He’s obviously my trainer – but I don’t feel like I’m alone. I’m not rocking up to practice with no-one there.”