Mouratoglou: The role of the coach

I’ve often been asked to point out the specificities of a good coach. And each time I say the same thing: a good coach is one who gets good results.

It’s easy to explain why we have a good work ethic or, on the other hand, why some experience might have failed – but let’s not forget that our job as coach consists of getting the wins and making the players grow up. Tennis isn’t a science and personal issues can come in the way of a player’s results, however efficient work over the long-term can lead to the desired results.

It’s up to the coach to motivate the player, to put him /her under pressure or to get the pressure off his shoulders, to convince him / her and their entourage that some strategy is the right one. Like the player, the coach will be under the eyes of the only unbiased judge: the result.

Can players manage without a coach?
For players just getting out of a very long professional relationship, a short-term period without a coach can help the player find himself / herself. Like in a love affair, it’s tough to be fully committed to a new relationship when you haven’t made a full review of the previous one. Being alone on tour can help during this period.

But in the long term it’s not advisable, as it’s crucial for a player to be able to rely on a look from outside. As long as he or she is ready to learn and it comes from a clear-sighted appreciation of each situation, this outside perspective will always help the player to improve. That’s when the coach’s view matters the most – as unlike the player, the coach not fully immersed in a situation but can take a step back and gain an objective point of view. Players can all rely on this help, whether it comes from a coach, a friend, a spouse or parents.

In the specific case of the coach, we’re talking about a qualitative analysis, brightened by experience and skills but also by the coach’s perspective of professional goals, the player’s state of mind and many other parameters that others may not see.

The coach is therefore the person who builds the player’s development, working on it day after day with him/her. The coach is the one considering every angle – from technique to game plan, fitness and mental strength. The coach is not only planning this development, but also continually monitoring it. He’s also helping the player build clear strategies about opponents.

Finally – and this may be the reason why it’s not the best idea to have some unqualified people in charge – the coach takes responsibility for some daily tasks which aren’t necessarily rewarding but are extremely important. This includes organising travel, booking training courts, selecting training partners, dealing with sponsors so that players get everything they need on time, sending racquets to be strung, and managing nutrition.

To be efficient, the coach needs to be as creative as he/she is rigorous and at times, a work addict. They’ll also need to be strongly motivated, to own a solid culture of winning and possess tremendous patience, as well as a calculated mind when it comes to making choices.

Investing in a good coach means believing in your future, so it’s ultimately an investment in yourself. The best players in the world are all following that path.