Well, parting ways from their mainstream sport is undoubtedly nothing less than a nightmare for any athlete and tennis players are no exception. However, over the years a few legendary tennis players took up coaching roles to stay in constant touch with their favourite sport.
Although there’s no doubt about the fact that tennis players put their blood and sweat to improve their world rankings and to represent their countries on an international stage, coaches undoubtedly play a crucial role in assisting these tennis players on-court, even during the tight moments.
In this article we will take a look at the top four tennis players who became coaches after announcing their official retirement.
Top 4 Tennis Players Who Became Coaches After Retirement
Stefan Edberg
With a total of six Grand Slam titles under his name, Swedish former professional tennis player, Stefan Edberg is at the first spot in our list of top four tennis players who took coaching roles after announcing their retirement from professional tennis. Stefan was ranked in the singles “Top 10” for ten continuous years, and in the “Top 5” for ten continuous years, speaking volumes about his dominance on the tennis court.
Additionally, Stefan also clinched the 1989 year-end championships, led Sweden to a record total of four Davis Cup titles, and clinched four Masters Series titles and four Championship Series titles. Stefan announced his official retirement from tennis in 1996 at the age of 30 and became a tennis coach. Stefan coached the legendary tennis player, Roger Federer, from 2014 to 2015.
Boris Becker
At the second spot in our list of top four tennis players who became coaches after announcing his retirement from professional tennis, we have former German professional tennis player, Boris Becker. The youngest-ever winner of the men’s singles Wimbledon title at the age of seventeen in 1985, Boris Becker clinched 49 career singles and 15 doubles titles, including six singles majors: three Wimbledon Championships, two Australian Opens and one US Open.
Additionally, Boris Becker also clinched a total of 13 Masters titles, three year-end championships, an Olympic gold medal in men’s doubles in 1992, and led Germany to two Davis Cup titles in the years 1988 and 1989. After witnessing a glitzy professional tennis career, Becker announced his retirement in 1999 and became a tennis coach. In his coaching career, Boris Becker also coached legendary tennis player Novak Djokovic.
Ivan Lendl
Often hailed as one of the greatest tennis players of all-time, Czech-American former professional tennis player and coach, Ivan Lendl, is at the third spot in our list of top four tennis players who became coaches after announcing his retirement. Ivan Lendl, ranked as the world No. 1 in men’s singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) for 270 weeks, clinched a record total of 94 career singles titles, including eight majors (three each at the French Open and US Open, and two at the Australian Open) and seven year-end championships.
Although fans anticipated Ivan Lendl to continue dominating his opponents on the court, the legendary tennis player left everyone shocked after he announced a sudden retirement from tennis in 1994 at the age of 34 due to chronic back pain. However, despite his health issues, Ivan Lendl never lost touch with his game and coached numerous prominent tennis players, including Andy Murray, Alexander Zverev, and Hubert Hurkacz.
Tony Roche
At the fourth spot in our list of the top four tennis players who became coaches after announcing his retirement from professional tennis, we have former Australian tennis player Tony Roche. Tony clinched one Grand Slam singles title, the 1966 French Open at Roland Garros, and 15 Grand Slam doubles titles. Also, Tony Roche was ranked World No. 2 by Lance Tingay of The Daily Telegraph in 1969. Additionally, Tony Roche clinched the U.S. Pro Championships in 1970 and the New South Wales Open twice, in 1969 and 1976. Furthermore, Tony Roche also made highlights by winning a key Davis Cup singles match in 1977.
After announcing his retirement from professional tennis in 1981, Tony Roche became a tennis coach due to elbow and shoulder injuries. He took up coaching role and coached numerous legendary tennis players, including Patrick Rafter, Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt.
