Woodbridge: Stubbs a great fit for Pliskova

The new partnership between Karolina Pliskova and Rennae Stubbs has shone a light on two things. One is that Pliskova is looking to take her game to the next level. The other is that expert female coaches are becoming an increasing presence in the game.

I’m not surprised Pliskova contacted Stubbs and sought new advice in this space. The Czech is a player who has a ton of power and ability, and when I watch her play she seems to have an understanding of tactics and what needs to be done. She seems a player who’s willing to take on a task or a strategy and not be inhibited in her mindset. Her previous coaching relationship with David Kotyza had obviously gone stale so she looked to Rennae, who in my opinion is one of the broader thinkers, tactically, in women’s tennis. She’s got a clear understanding of how you play against every individual. Her analysis, thanks to her commentary, is less about stats and more what’s happening on court and how you’re going to break down and beat that opponent. For somebody like Pliskova, to be able to add that to her repertoire is clearly going to be advantageous.

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If Pliskova goes on and wins the WTA Finals this weekend, she’ll ponder whether she needs Rennae in a more full-time capacity. Stubbs brings energy, intensity and lots of experience having played a long career herself and having worked in the media. She’s clearly at the coalface.

For Pliskova, it’s about what she can keep learning and getting out of the relationship. For Rennae, some big questions will come up for her too. She’s clearly sought after as a one of the leading female commentators in the world across different networks. She would have to change direction in her career path, which is a big call for her.

I think what Rennae bring to women’s tennis is variety. She didn’t have big groundstrokes and couldn’t hang back, so she had to create ways to win points – using slice, coming forward, building pressure. These are all aspects that we don’t see much in the women’s game today. Players typically rely on a good first serve and one big first hit, and that’s what coaching has evolved around. Yet going forward, I see the inclusion of more skills coming into the players’ games. Where’s the next Justine Henin? Why could she, or Amelie Mauresmo, get to No.1? They had the ability to change the game up and break an opponent’s rhythm. That’s what Rennae can bring through her coaching. She’s going to try and add value to the player’s game, and I think she’ll get some really good results.

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Rennae is the latest high-profile former female player to turn her hand to coaching. And I think we’re starting to see the influence of the male “supercoaches” filtering through to the women’s game. We’re seeing the equivalent generation of female greats do this for the first time – Lindsay Davenport, Conchita Martinez, Amelie Mauresmo, Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin. They see it can be done because they have the knowledge. They know this game better than anyone else, so why can’t they pass on their knowledge? I think their knowledge has been crucial for their charges getting some of their key wins.

Pliskova’s next thing is to win a major. She’s been knocking on the door, she’s been No.1. She needs something a little extra that perhaps only a player like Stubbs – at that level who’s been there and done it – can give her.