Top 10: New coaching teams in 2017

Players seeking a unique perspective or a fresh approach often find it in a new coach. Given that 2017 has seen more than it’s fair share of coaching changes, we thought we’d run through our top ten new pairings of this season.

10. Novak Djokovic and Andre Agassi

This fascinating union was of course cut short when an injured-affected Novak Djokovic called time on his season post Wimbledon. In just three events, however, the US superstar took the Serb to the Eastbourne title and two Grand Slam quarterfinals – and it was a period of Djokovic’s career that was arguably more difficult than we’d first thought. Some might expect more given the 20 majors they share between them but if nothing else, Djokovic at least brought Agassi back to the court.

RELATED: Who will step into Djokovic’s shoes?

9. Madison Keys and Lindsay Davenport

More renewed than new, Madison Keys’ teaming with her Grand Slam-winning countrywoman is once again delivering rewards. Wrist surgery made for a delayed start to the season but after ho-hum periods on clay and grass, Keys defeated Wimbledon champ Muguruza en route to a third career title in Stanford.

8. Johanna Konta and Wim Fisette

While the systematic Brit has long possessed the element for success, it’s coach Wim Fisette who’s helped bring them together for career-best results this season. The former coach of Kim Clijsters and Victoria Azarenka joined Konta’s camp late last year, the 26-year-old soon claiming Sydney and Miami then progressing to a first semifinal at Wimbledon. “It’s more about him bringing perspective,” Konta noted as Fisette oversaw her wins over Simona Halep, Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki en route to her biggest career title in Miami.

7. Nick Kyrgios and Sebastien Grosjean

Granted, there are no titles to show (yet) for one of the most surprising union of 2017. Still, there were many positives when former world No.4 Sebastien Grosjean was announced as Nick Kyrgios’ coach. Spending much of his recent career without an advisor, the famously individualistic Kyrgios appreciates the Frenchman’s careful approach. “He’s the type of guy that cares about my well-being first rather than just tennis results,” Kyrgios said. “He knows I need my space at times and he knows how to deal with me.”

6. CoCo Vandeweghe and Pat Cash

Thirty years since he became a Wimbledon champion in 1987, Pat Cash emerged in another capacity – as coach to CoCo Vandeweghe. Following Craig Kardon’s shock decision to quit as Vandeweghe’s coach after the French Open, the game’s newest ‘odd couple’ appears to have clicked. At Wimbledon, Cash helped CoCo to a first All England Club quarterfinal, with the Stanford final following at their next event. And as Cash questioned whether his new charge was ready to “stop playing s**ty tennis” at Toronto, their off-court exchanges became as entertaining as the results.

5. Karolina Pliskova and David Kotzya

The long-time coach of two-time Wimbledon champion and an advisor to his nation’s highly-accomplished Fed Cup team, David Kotzya has added to his Czech tennis credentials by recently guiding Karolina Pliskova to world No.1. Highlighting the complex web of pro tennis coaching, Pliskova’s former coach Jiri Vanek now works with Kvitova – and he’s had his own triumph in the “fresh starts” department, helping Petra win Birmingham in just her second event after her long injury break.

RELATED: Is Slamless Pliskova a legitimate No.1?

4. Jelena Ostapenko and Annabel Medina Garrigues

Guided by her mother, also Jelena, for most of her tennis life, Jelena Ostapenko discovered another influential advisor in two-time major doubles champion Anabel Medina Garrigues. A former world No.16 in singles and still competitive in doubles, the Spaniard joined Ostapenko in Stuttgart at the end of April and several weeks later, oversaw the 20-year-old’s surprise French Open triumph.

3. Rafael Nadal and Carlos Moya

A long-time mentor to the younger Spaniard, Carlos Moya’s influence on Rafael Nadal is not exactly new. Still, the pair’s coaching arrangement only became official late in 2016 and with long-time coach Uncle Toni due to depart the tour next year, the former world No.1 has provided a welcome boost. “The support of Carlos have been so important for me,” said Nadal after seizing his history-making 10th title at Roland Garros. “We have been working great. The team spirit has been very positive since the beginning.”

2. Garbine Muguruza and Conchita Martinez

There was a silver lining when Sam Sumyk, the regular coach of Garbine Muguruza, left Wimbledon pre-tournament for personal reasons – countrywoman Conchita Martinez temporarily stepped in, helping the Spaniard emulate the title run that Martinez herself recorded in 1994. “It’s actually, you know, relaxed and funny because we get along very well,” said Muguruza as she competed with a refreshing freedom to become the youngest female champion at Wimbledon in 13 years.

RELATED: #SmashTalk – Does Zverev’s win in Montreal signal the end of the Big Five?

1. Alexander Zverev and Juan Carlos Ferrero

A former French Open champ and world No.1, Juan Carlos Ferrero has many credentials to offer as coach. Still, it’s unlikely that anybody expected his impact as advisor to Alexander Zverev would be quite so swift. The Next Gen star has claimed both titles he’s contested – Washington and Montreal – since Ferrero joined his coaching team. Incorporating 10 consecutive wins, Zverev completed his best patch as a pro with an assured victory over Roger Federer in the Montreal final.