Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina on top coach’s wish list
Coach of five former world No 1s Rick Macci, has shared his thoughts on the standout players from the WTA Tour and which top woman he would like to coach.
Macci helped direct the careers of four former WTA World No 1s, as well as Andy Roddick.
The coach believes the women’s game is blessed with a handful of exceptional talents to lead the sport.
He has named the usual suspects of Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina but has another surprise inclusion.
Macci believes that Czech French Open finalist Karolina Muchova could also be a player to watch if she can put her injury problems behind her.
“Iga Swiatek is up there; what she’s done in the last few years is amazing, especially on clay and hard courts,” Macci told OLBG.
“She has four slams now, one in the US and three in the French Open. She is the real deal and isn’t going anywhere.
“I can see Rybakina winning more slams, Sabalenka is also up there with one of the best in the game.
“Muchova has a fantastic all-round game. She started a while ago but has faced issues with injury. If she stays healthy, I think she can win multiple slams and compete for a long time at the top of the sport.”
As for who he would love to coach, Macci has singled out Coco Gauff as a player that he could help move up a level.
Gauff has already begun work on strengthening her forehand but Macci feels he could unlock a different player in the US Open.
“Right now, it would be Coco Gauff. I think I could rewire her entire forehand if she and her team wanted to,” Macci said.
“I’d teach her the ATP forehand.
“For me, she’s the best athlete on the tour, she’s an Olympic sprinter with a racket in her hand.
“Mentally, she has it. Her backhand is money, and her volley is great. The serve, I would rewire slightly, it’s loose, it’s big, it’s free, but it isn’t quite as good as it could be.
“She’s still so young, but the muscle memory has been there for so long on the forehand. If she took a bit of time out and modified that, she would have so much ability. I think I’d create a completely new stroke for her, and it would fully change her career. It could go from her weakest shot to her best shot.”
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