Over the years, several former tennis stars have ventured into tennis coaching post-retirement. There have been a few instances where a legendary tennis player has coached another current star and helped them towards glory.
Former tennis icons like Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg, and Ivan Lendl have all played their hands at coaching some of the greatest players of all time. While some have been successful in their ventures, others not so much. Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and Novak Djokovic have all turned to these former greats for guidance at some point in their careers.
Here is a list of 5 tennis superstars coaching partnerships that got the fans excited.
#1. Jimmy Connors-Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova announced Jimmy Connors as her coach in July 2013. The Russian had won just one Major since 2008 and needed a change in the backroom staff to change her fortunes. Connors was one of the most sought-after coaches at that time, having worked with Andy Roddick before.
The Sharapova-Connors partnership looked an exciting prospect for tennis fans but turned out to be a major disappointment as Sharapova and Connors worked together for just one match before parting ways.
Sharapova lost in the opening round at Cincinnati against Sloane Stephens and shortly after, she decided to bring an end to their partnership.
#2. Ivan Lendl-Andy Murray
Andy Murray enjoyed his best tennis days with Ivan Lendl as his head coach. The Brit star won two Wimbledon titles and a US Open title in 2012, along with two Olympic gold medals with Lendl at the helm. Murray and Lendl worked together three times during their stop-and-start stint together.
Murray and Lendl’s first partnership together was the most successful. The Brit star flourished under the Czech, winning his maiden Wimbledon title and the US Open in 2012. However, the duo decided to part ways in 2014 after Lendl admitted that he could not commit to a full-time coaching role.
They got back together in 2016 and Murray got back to winning ways, winning his second Wimbledon title and finishing the year as the World No. 1. However, a back injury meant that the Brit was sidelined for numerous months, ending his partnership with Lendl.
Murray and Lendl got back together one final time in 2022 and that partnership ended within a year in 2023. Despite working under many coaches, Murray enjoyed most success with Lendl as his head coach.
#3. Stefan Edberg-Roger Federer
In December 2013, Roger Federer announced that Stefan Edberg joined his coaching team. The legendary duo worked together for two years from 2013-15 before calling it quits. In a statement, while hailing Edberg as a ‘childhood idol’ Federer thanked the Swedish great for working with him.
The decision to work together came after Federer had failed to reach the final of any Grand Slam in 2013 and was struggling for form. The Swiss superstar decided to add Edberg to his team and the duo agreed on a one-year deal, which was later extended to two years.
Despite their work together, Federer could not win a Grand Slam title during those two years. However, the 20-time Grand Slam champion did impress overall, winning 11 tournaments, including three Masters ATP events with Edberg at the helm.
#4. Jimmy Connors-Andy Roddick
Jimmy Connors and Andy Roddick worked together for 19 months from 2006 to 2008. Roddick, who won the US Open in 2003, failed to win another Major during their career.
Connors decided to resign from his post as Roddick’s coach as he could not travel with Roddick throughout the year. Roddick was ranked as the World No. 10 when Connors started working with him and rose to World No. 3 under the guidance of the American coach.
#5. Boris Becker-Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic and Boris Becker worked together from 2013 to 2016, achieving incredible success. The star duo won 25 titles, including six Grand Slams.
Boris helped Djokovic win his maiden French Open title which propelled the Serbian to the World No. 1 ranking. However, the duo decided to part ways in 2016 after a successful stint together.