New Coaches: Sharapova Hires Groeneveld, Stephens Trials Annacone

by Staff | November 21st, 2013, 3:53 pm
  • 9 Comments

Two top 20 players on the women’s tour have announced coaching changes this week. Former No. 1 Maria Sharapova has tabbed former Dutch player and Adidas coach Sven Groeneveld to become her new coach.

“I’m happy to announce my official partnership with Sven Groeneveld,” Sharapova posted on Facebook. “We’ve been working together since I got back on the court and after seeing him on the opposing side for so many years, I’m excited to have him become a part of my team. It has been a very seamless transition and I have had a lot of fun with the hard work we have put in so far. Looking forward to the year ahead.”

Groeneveld has worked with Ana Ivanovic, Monica Seles, Tommy Haas and Greg Rusedski among others in the past.


The Russian star had worked with Thomas Hogstedt for years until leaving him for Jimmy Connors during a brief, one-tournament partnership this summer. Sharapova has been off the tour since August with a shoulder injury.

Sharapova wasn’t the only Top 20 player making a coaching move this off season. Rising American star Sloane Stephens, who beat the Maria-Jimmy tandem at Cincinnati, will work on a trial basis with former Roger Federer coach Paul Annacone.

Federer let Annacone go earlier this fall while Stephens had been working with David Nainkin.


You Might Like:
Sloane Stephens Splits With Coach Paul Annacone
After 3 Years Roger Federer Has Parted Ways With Coach Paul Annacone
Roger Federer Gives Paul Annacone Coaching Trial
Ana Ivanovic Has A New Coach, His Name Is Dejan Petrovic
Maria Sharapova Is Happy To Be Fit And Back On The Court

Read more stories about: 2014 Season, Coaching
Don't miss any tennis action, stay connected with Tennis-X

Get the FREE TX daily newsletter

« »

9 Comments for New Coaches: Sharapova Hires Groeneveld, Stephens Trials Annacone

Humble Rafa Says:

She doesn’t have an uncle who can coach? Trust me, uncles make best coaches, even during matches.

*Only drawback is uncles give you goats for Christmas. Otherwise, they are cool people.

November 22nd, 2013 at 11:44 am


SG1 Says:

How much does Rafa pay Uncle Toni for coaching? Is it broken down? X $’s for practice sessions, Y $’s for morning wake up calls, Z $’s for the in match stuff? Does he get bonus $’s for giving Rafa a hard time after a loss? Can Rafa claw back $’s when he loses to the GOAT…sorry, I mean Federer?

November 22nd, 2013 at 12:47 pm


queen Says:

When was the last time Rafa lost to the cow, sorry you call him goat right?

November 22nd, 2013 at 3:51 pm


Slice Tennis Says:

It was 20 months back. In slams it was 76 months back….yes 76 months backs.

November 22nd, 2013 at 4:17 pm


madmax Says:

queen,

queen Says:
When was the last time Rafa lost to the cow, sorry you call him goat right?

November 22nd, 2013 at 3:51 pm

2012 queen, (that’s last year), in the Indian Wells semi finals.

November 23rd, 2013 at 9:29 am


madmax Says:

Slice Tennis Says:
It was 20 months back. In slams it was 76 months back….yes 76 months backs.

November 22nd, 2013 at 4:17 pm

2012, (that’s last year), in the Indian Wells semi finals.

Slice tennis…remember, the way you look at it, it isn’t Fed’s fault if he has made it to the deeper end of a tournament and rafa hasn’t. You need to look at things a little more clearly.

And where were you in 2012? Certainly not watching rafa, by the sounds of things.

November 23rd, 2013 at 9:47 am


Slice Tennis Says:

“And where were you in 2012? Certainly not watching rafa, by the sounds of things.”

Are you blind ?
Cant read ?
Or Both ?
Go back and READ my post again. Or am I expecting too much from you ?

“It was 20 months back.”

November 23rd, 2013 at 11:57 am


Slice Tennis Says:

“You need to look at things a little more clearly.”
LMAO.

November 23rd, 2013 at 11:58 am

Top story: Sinner Settles With WADA, Accepts 3-Month Ban, Won't Miss Rome, Won't Miss French Open
Most Recent story: Frustrated Nick Kyrgios Calls Sinner Ban A "Sad Day For Tennis"