With the recent appointment of Ivan Lendl as Andy Murray‘s coach, some eyebrows were raised about his credentials. But for someone with his success and understanding of the game, how can he not be considered coaching material?
It’s a lively debate and there is sometimes not a correlation between how successful a player they were vs. their coaching success, but I think the success of former players turned coaches, speaks for itself. Here’s my top 10.
1. Brad Gilbert
Brad’s mantra of winning ugly, turned Andre Agassi’s career around and turned him from show boater to Grand Slam winner. He had less success with his other charges, but he lucked out working with one of the greatest players of all time.
Tour Titles As Player: 20
Coached: Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Kei Nishikori, Andy Murray
2. Paul Annacone
A highly respected coach, Annacone has positioned himself as coach to some of the classiest players and brings an attacking serve-volley aspect to his pupil’s games, honed working with Sampras.
Tour Titles As Player: 3
Coached: Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, Tim Henman
3. Larry Stefanki
If were talking getting a player to #1, then Stefanki is your man. He took 3 players to the top and career high rankings for the others. A modest playing talent himself, the numbers don’t lie in his coaching ability.
Tour Titles As Player: 1
Coached: Marcelo Rios, Andy Roddick, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Fernando Gonzalez, Tim Henman
4. Peter Lundgren
Wild man Pete, peaked with Federer and Safin but has the tools to bring out the best in his charges. A coach who keeps close relationships with his players, he has the ability to take on the most volatile of players and calm them down.
Tour Titles As Player: 3
Coached: Roger Federer, Marat Safin, Stan Wawrinka, Grigor Dimitrov, Marcos Baghdatis
5. Darren Cahill
Killer Cahill has a great knowledge of the game and had his greatest success with fellow Aussie Hewitt.
Tour Titles As Player: 2
Coached: Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi, Fernando Verdasco, Ernests Gulbis
6. Tony Roche
The Godfather of coaching, having been the steady influence for the very top players, when they needed the best. A coach-less Federer even knew he needed the presence of Roche during his career and the coach of Ivan Lendl at his peak, says it all.
Tour Titles As Player: 7
Coached: Lleyton Hewitt, Pat Rafter, Ivan Lendl, Roger Federer
7. Dean Goldfine
Made up for his patchy playing career with solid work with Roddick at his peak and long term coaching relationships with his other charges.
Tour Titles As Player: 0
Coached: Xavier Malisse, Todd Martin, Andy Roddick, Aaron Krickstein
8. Luis Lobo
Argentine clay expert Lobo, takes care of the top Latin players and managed to contain Marcelo Rios as best he could.
Tour Titles As Player: 2
Coached: Marcelo Rios, Carlos Moya, David Nalbandian, Juan Monaco
9. Tim Gullikson
The late Gullickson was one half of the successful Gullickson twins and was Pete Sampras’ main coach, whom he adored throughout his career, until his sad death in 1996 to a brain tumor.
Tour Titles As Player: 4
Coached: Pete Sampras, Aaron Krickstein
10. Alex Corretja
Only recently retired, Corretja has the makings of an excellent coach. His trial with Andy Murray went well, but they were not a natural fit. He now is in charge of the Spanish Davis Cup team and most likely will be recruited after his tenure by a top player.
Tour Titles As Player: 17
Coached: Andy Murray, Spanish Davis Cup Team
