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Jankovic, Nishikori acquire new coaches


 

Originally published on: 23/12/10 10:45

World No.8 Jelena Jankovic has hired Romanian Andrei Pavel as her coach on a trial basis.

Pavel ranked at a career-high No.13 on the ATP ladder in October 2004 and won three singles and six doubles titles during his 14-year career.

The 36-year-old coach has been overseeing Jankovic’s training in her native Serbia and will be at her side throughout the Australian summer hard court swing, which she kicks off at the Medibank Sydney International on January 7.

On the men’s tour, world No.98 Kei Nishikori – who is based at the Nick Bollettieri Tenns Academy in Florida – has hired Brad Gilbert as his new traveling coach for the 2011 season.

Gilbert, who worked with Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray, will travel to about 15 tournaments with Nishikori throughout the season, all the while continuing with his broadcasting commitments to ESPN.

“I am excited about the addition of Brad to my team,” said Nishikori, who will hope the American coach can take him back up toward the career-high world No.56 ranking he achieved in February 2009.

“Brad’s knowledge as a former top player, as well as his coaching success, is something that can help me become a better player.”

The 20-year-old returned to the ATP Tour in February after extensive elbow surgery, and promptly won four Challenger titles before going on to reach the third round at the US Open.

“Kei is a fierce young competitor. He knows what he wants from the game of tennis,” said Gilbert, who will join up with Nishikori’s current full-time coach Dante Bottini, who will continue to travel with the Japenese player full-time.

Continuing the theme, Yaroslava Shvedova has hired Dimitri Zavialoff – who spent 15-years working with Stanislas Wawrinka before the Swiss called upon the services of Roger Federer’s former coach Peter Lundgren – as her new coach.

The 23-year-old Kazak, who reached a career-high No.29 in June 2010, made the quarter finals of Roland Garros this year and won the doubles titles at Wimbledon and the US Open alongside American Vania King.

“My goal for the year is to break into the Top 20 and to stay there,” said Shvedova.

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.