Raonic, top women split with coaches

Their careers may be on upward trajectories after stellar seasons, but Milos Raonic, Karolina Pliskova, Madison Keys and Johanna Konta are among the growing list of players to split with their coaches ahead of 2017.

Raonic, who reached the semifinals at the Australian Open in January, took to Instagram to announce the end of his 11-month partnership with Carlos Moya, who also oversaw the Canadian’s run to the Wimbledon final and a career-best ranking of No.3 in the world.

“Thank you to Carlos Moya for helping me tremendously this year, alongside my team, to get the best out of me,” wrote Raonic, who also brought in John McEnroe during the grasscourt and US hardcourt seasons and continues to work with long-time coach Riccardo Piatti.

“Under Carlos’ direction and tutelage I have played my best yet to date. We will no longer be continuing our coaching relationship but remain close friends. I wish him all the best.”

Fellow Australian Open semifinalist Konta reached WTA finals for the first time in career in 2016, beating Venus Williams to win her first title at the Stanford Classic in July and finishing runner-up to Agnieszka Radwanska at the China Open in October.

The 25-year-old’s run in Beijing made her the first British player to reach the WTA top 10 since 1984, but her decision to part ways with Esteban Carril after almost three years together follows the sudden death of her mental coach Juan Coto three weeks ago, as reported by the BBC.

Spain-based Carril, who coached Konta alongside Jose-Manuel Garcia, had introduced the Briton to his friend Coto in 2014, together sparking her rise from the top 150 at the start of 2015 to the top 10 this year.

“After two-and-a-half successful years working together we have mutually agreed to explore new options,” Konta said in a statement. “Once things are confirmed we will share the new set-up.”

The start of the tennis off-season traditionally sparks a series of coaching splits, and 2016 is proving to be no exception.

Last week, US Open finalist Karolina Pliskova left coach Jiri Vanek – who has since linked up with Pliskova’s compatriot Petra Kvitova – following her Fed Cup triumph with the Czech Republic, despite ending the season embedded in the top 10 at a career-high No.6.

Madison Keys, another player to finish the year in the top 10 at No.8, will no longer be working with Thomas Hogstedt after ending their six-month spell together, which included her second title at the Aegon Classic in Birmingham and finals appearances in Rome and Montreal.

David Goffin has ended his arrangement with former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson after their year-long partnership propelled the Belgian to a career-high ranking of No.11, but failed to land his first title since 2014.

Elina Svitolina, who finished the year at No.14 in the world – another career-best – will no longer be working with Iain Hughes, though it remains to be seen whether the move also spells the end of the Ukrainian’s partnership with consultant Justine Henin.

“I would like to thank Iain for everything he has done,” Svitolina posted on Facebook. “He taught me many things on and off court, made me a better player and helped to reach many goals.”