The never ending coaching roulette in women’s tennis continues after two top 10 players confirmed that they have shaken up their teams.
Wimbledon champion Simona Halep has announced that she will reunite with Darren Cahill at the start of 2020 following a year-long break. Australian-born Cahill has been an instrumental figure in the career of Halep. Before announcing a break from coaching at the end of 2018 for personal reasons, he worked with the Romanian for three years. Guiding her to her first major title and world No.1 in the world.
“I have some exciting news to share with you,” Halep said in a video uploaded to her social media accounts. “After a year without him on my team, I’m happy to announce that Darren will be back by my side next season.”
It is unclear as to what will happen to her current coach Daniel Dobre and if he will remain part of her team after the return of Cahill. The two have been working together since March.
So far this season Halep has won 40 out of 53 matches played with her biggest achievement occurring at Wimbledon. Where she defeated Serena Williams in straight sets in the final. She is currently ranked sixth in the world.
However, Halep has recent encountered setbacks on the tour. She has failed to win back-to-back matches at her last two tournaments, including the US Open. Furthermore, she has been forced to pull out of this week’s Zhengzhou due to an ankle injury.
Osaka without a coach again
Another coaching change involves world No.4 Naomi Osaka. The two-time grand slam champion has split with coach Jermaine Jenkins after six months together. It is the second time this year Osaka has broken-up with a coach. Her first was Sasha Bajin who she unexpectedly split with shortly after winning the Australian Open. Bajin was the person who oversaw her rapid rise in the sport.
“Writing this to let you guys know that me and Jay won’t be working together anymore,” Osaka tweeted.
“I’m super grateful for the time we spent together and the things I learned on and off the court but I feel like now is a (sic) appropriate time for a change… Thank you for everything, it was a blast,” she added.
The announcement comes after what has been a roller-coaster season for Osaka. At the US Open, where she was the top seed, the 21-year-old lost in the fourth round to Belinda Bencic. Subsequently losing her world No.1 position as a result of that loss. She hasn’t contested a final on the tour since her triumph at the Australian Open in January.
There has been no announcement about who may potentially replace Jenkins.
Both Osaka and Halep are set to return to action next week at the Wuhan Open in China.
