Dinara Safina recounts Aryna Sabalenka reaching out and offering coaching position

Former world No. 1 Dinara Safina reveals Aryna Sabalenka reached out to her in 2019 about the potential of them forming a partnership however finally nothing occurred.

In late 2019 August, the Belarusian tennis star introduced she was parting methods with coach Dmitry Tursunov – who helped her take her recreation to a different stage and turn out to be a longtime WTA participant. Shortly after the break up, Sabalenka was in search of an prompt alternative and one of many candidates she had on her record was Safina. 

After giving a name to the previous three-time Grand Slam finalist, the Russian tennis legend was just about instructed that there was no time to waste and a collaboration would should be reached rapidly. Whereas the 38-year-old did not settle for the supply, she totally understood the present world No. 1. 

Safina, who was simply 25 when she performed her final match in 2011, was requested by Championat if it was true that Sabalenka needed her as a coach and likewise if it was presupposed to be one thing short-term.

“No, about full-fledged cooperation. We talked about Aryna in 2019, proper earlier than the US Open. She had simply completed working with Dmitry Tursunov. And her agent referred to as me and stated that there was such an choice, however she needed to fly out instantly and begin making ready for the US Open. I stated that I couldn’t do this. However I perceive Aryna, as a result of I behaved the identical means after I was a participant. I additionally stated: ‘I would like a coach tomorrow!'” the previous two-time French Open finalist instructed Championat.

After Safina handed on the prospect to turn out to be Sabalenka’s coach, the Belarusian employed Anton Dubrov. They usually have been working since then and received three Grand Slam titles as a duo. With that being stated, it’s honest to state that finally all of it labored out completely for the 26-year-old.

Safina shares Mirra Andreeva was an choice too

Final yr, Andreeva was simply 15 when she received three matches on the WTA 1000 match in Madrid. A number of weeks later, the rising Russian additionally made the French Open third spherical as a qualifier earlier than falling quick to Coco Gauff in a three-set battle.

Since then, Andreeva – who turned 17 in Could – has established herself as one of the proficient and promising gamers on the WTA Tour, with many tipping her to win a number of Grand Slams and turn out to be the world No. 1 in the future.

And when she was simply beginning her WTA journey, her agent gave a name Safina to see if there was curiosity in working with the present world No. 16. The previous world No. 1 thought it was “an amazing” supply however she merely could not commit herself to touring with somebody for 12 months. 

“They have been in search of a coach for Mirra. Her agent referred to as many specialists, requested if there was a want, after which they supplied ready-made coaches to Andreeva for her to decide on. They referred to as me too, I stated that it sounded nice, however I used to be not able to skate with Mirra everywhere in the world (smiles) . After all, it might have been an fascinating choice, however ultimately, Conchita [Martinez] works together with her ― she’s nice. She’s the coach who helps Mirra loads,” Safina defined.

After making that revelation, the 2008 and 2009 French Open finalist was requested what she would attempt to add to Andreeva’s recreation if she had the prospect to take action. 

“She doesn’t want so as to add many nuances, actually little by little. Minimize the nook a little bit extra someplace, meet the ball a little bit earlier someplace, use a little bit extra shortened ones. Properly, and we may add extra combos that she would carry out routinely at decisive moments,” the 38-year-old defined. 

Safina shares her tackle the state of the WTA Tour

In the course of the 2008 and 2009 seasons, the previous Russian tennis star made three Grand Slam finals – two on the French Open (misplaced to Ana Ivanovic in 2008 and to Svetlana Kuznetsova in 2009) and he or she was additionally overwhelmed by Serena Williams within the 2009 Australian Open ultimate. Additionally, she had semifinal appearances at Wimbledon and the US Open. 

When requested about how she feels concerning the present state of the Tour, Safina stated that she believes the highest gamers from her time have been way more constant. 

“In my time, there have been extra constant gamers. There have been Serena and Venus Williams, Davenport, Mauresmo, Henin, Sharapova, Clijsters and so forth. All have been constant all yr spherical, they hardly ever had straightforward losses. The highest 10 was very tight, you could not contact the ladies. And now somebody can fail three or 4 tournaments after which return to the highest 10. Now there may be Gauff, Pegula, however they’re all inconsistent. Solely Sabalenka and Swiatek performed the entire season virtually with out slumps,” Safina stated.