Former Rafael Nadal coach to train American WTA star
Former Rafael Nadal coach Francisco Roig has revealed what his next project will be after announcing a new partnership.
Erstwhile US Open champion Sloane Stephens has appointed Roig as her new coach in a bid to revive her fortunes.
The World No 37 made the announcement on Wednesday in what has to be considered a signal of intent from Stephens.
Since her sensational 2017 Grand Slam splash, Stephens has struggled to make an impact on the WTA Tour.
Stephens had enjoyed a brief stint with Roig as a coach while Nadal was on the shelf for a spell.
The 29-year-old is hopeful that Roig will help her achieve her best form again in 2023.
“Happy to have Francis Roig join my team as my new coach,” Stephens said on Twitter. “Here’s to a successful journey together, let’s get to work.”
Roig said last Friday that he will be leaving the 22-time Grand Slam victor Nadal’s team after 18 years to begin a new endeavour with multiple players.
Since that announcement, Rafael Nadal has added Argentine Gustavo Marcaccio to his coaching team in an advisory role.
Earlier this year in Guadalajara, Mexico, Stephens won her eighth WTA singles championship, her first since 2018. Additionally, she advanced to the French Open quarter-finals before falling to her countrywoman Coco Gauff.
Stephens has been in South Africa during the off-season where she has also hit the court in a bid to get in some gametime in warmer conditions.
“I can’t wait to spend the next couple of days exploring, learning and, of course, playing a little bit of tennis here!” Stephens wrote alongside a reel of their arrival on Instagram.
Stephens has admitted that the WTA Tour is a fast-paced world and she already feels like an elder stateswoman with so many younger players about.
“I still feel young, but to them I’m old because some of them are really players who are like, ‘I grew up watching you!'” Stephens told Insider. “And I’m like, ‘Are you kidding me?!'”
Stephens troublesome shoulder remains a concern for her and one that requires constant management.
“I warm up my shoulder a lot now before I practice or play, just because it feels a lot better — it feels looser,” Stephens said.
“When you’re doing that manual rubbing, it’s better to have something [like Icy Hot] where you’re actually feeling the tingle. And for me, it makes me feel like I’m actually warmed up.”