Venus Williams ditches coach after lacklustre season and drastic rankings slide

WTA Tour
Venus Williams dejected

Venus Williams has cut ties with her long-time coach David Witt ahead of the 2019 season.

The 38-year-old has slipped to number 38 in the WTA Tour rankings after some lacklustre results.

That followed an impressive 2017 that saw her play in two Grand Slam finals and climb to number five in the world.

However, CNN journalist Ravi Ubha and Ben Rothenberg from the New York Times have reported that Williams plans to regain her position without the help of Witt, who them confirmed it himself.

“When it happened, both of us were emotional about it,” Witt told The New York Times.

“After, you sit there and go: ‘Man, after 11 years, it’s over after a two-minute phone call. Wow. After 11 years.’

“Part of you sits there and says that, and the other part says that it was a business decision, which I totally understand, and I respect her decision.

“I don’t even need to know why; it’s just her decision. It is what it is, and we had a great run, and nothing lasts forever.”

Witt worked with Williams since 2007 , and there is no word yet on who she has lined-up to replace him.

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