Change of coach for 2004
After a disappointing 2003, Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova has seperated from Nigel Sears to sign on with Jennifer Capriati's former coach Harold Solomon. The American's first job will be to rekindle the confidence that went amiss last season, writes Gregory Lanzenberg.
Hantuchova was the revelation of 2002, climbing to No. 8 in the world. The Poprad native turned heads when she won Indian Wells, beating Justine Henin-Hardenne and Martina Hingis.
Hantuchova finished 2002 on a roll leading Slovakia to its first-ever Fed Cup title.
But did the pressure prove too much? In 2003, she went from setback to setback.
The 20-year old's worst nightmare occured at Wimbledon as she finished in tears beaten in the 2nd round by Japan's Shinobu Asagoe 12-10 in the deciding set. The rest of the season was a succession of flops including a 3rd round loss at the U.S. Open.
The Slovakian's game can be compared to Russia's Anastasia Myskina with a great anticipation game and good groundstrokes but to prevail over the power game of Henin-Hardenne, Clijsters and the Williams sisters, she needed to pass a new plateau.
That's why she decided to part company with Briton Sears.
Solomon, 51, a former French Open finalist, has worked in the past with Capriati and Marie-Joe Fernandez. His first task will be to boost Hantuchova's on-court morale. If he succeeds, observers believe the Slovak has it in her to enter the top five.
Eurosport
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 218.80.42.4