Australian Open: before facing Aryna Sabalenka this Tuesday morning in the quarter-final, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova can count on her Belgian coach
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Captivated by the allure of a small yellow tennis ball, which he discovered later in life, Jos geerinck embarked on his coaching journey at just 15, mentoring children around the age of ten. ”My fascination with video analysis began early. I’d record televised matches, dissecting the strategies and pondering how players could have shifted the game in their favor,” he recalls.
His unwavering dedication and deep understanding of tennis, honed over decades, propelled him into collaborations with renowned athletes. Between 1996 and 2006, he coached Els Callens, accompanying her on the professional circuit until the arrival of her first child. “leaving was tough—I adored the role and could have pursued a more prominent career. As a young man, I aspired to be the world’s top coach (chuckles). While I didn’t achieve that, I’ve found immense fulfillment in nurturing the next generation of talent,” shares Geerinck, who has also mentored Caroline Maes and contributed to Davis Cup and Fed Cup teams.
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For years, Jos Geerinck has been a key figure at Golden Set Analytics, a leading American firm in tennis statistics. “They collaborate with multiple top-20 players globally. My role is to lend my expertise in strategy and biomechanics,” he explains.
His insights have been instrumental in refining the skills of elite players, such as enhancing Stefanos Tsitsipas’s returns, Coco Gauff’s serves, and Andy Murray’s forehand and serve techniques. “I’ve also worked alongside Wim Fissette,initially with Naomi Osaka and now with Iga Swiatek,” he adds.
Wim Fissette is poised to excel in his role with Iga Swiatek.
The two Belgian coaches were spotted enjoying a meal together in Melbourne. ”He’s an exceptionally insightful coach,” remarks Jos Geerinck.What stands out to me is his remarkable willingness to collaborate. He actively seeks out diverse perspectives, exchanging ideas with fellow coaches and sharing his expertise. Despite his illustrious career, he remains humble, which makes our conversations both productive and enjoyable, particularly when we delve into the technical and biomechanical aspects of his players. I’m confident he’ll achieve outstanding results with Iga Swiatek, as she’s open to refining her game. This adaptability is a hallmark of European players. In contrast, working with Osaka presented more challenges. Some athletes struggle to modify their techniques or break ingrained habits. They frequently enough rely on repetition, sticking to familiar patterns without embracing necessary evolution. Take Justine (chuckles), as an example, who thrived under Carlos Rodriguez as she embraced change. Others, however, resist it or fear stepping out of their comfort zones.
His Partnership with Pavlyuchenkova
Since August 2023, following the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati, Jos Geerinck has been mentoring Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the 2021 Roland-Garros finalist. “Our initial connection was strong. After her season concluded at the US Open, she reached out again, and we spent five weeks in Dubai preparing for the 2025 season. From there, we continued our work in Adelaide and Melbourne.“
Russias anastasia Pavlyuchenkova reacts on a point against Germany’s Laura Siegemund during their women’s singles match on day six of the Australian open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 17, 2025. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE —
In a thrilling encounter at the Australian Open, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia showcased her resilience during a pivotal moment against Germany’s Laura Siegemund. The match,held on January 17,2025,in Melbourne,saw Pavlyuchenkova demonstrating her trademark determination and skill. The Russian player, known for her powerful baseline game, managed to turn the tide in her favor during a critical juncture, much to the delight of the spectators. siegemund, conversely, displayed her tactical acumen and versatility, making it a closely contested battle. The match, which took place on the sixth day of the tournament, was a testament to the high level of competition at one of the sport’s most prestigious events. Both players left everything on the court, providing fans with a memorable display of tennis excellence.The Australian Open continues to be a stage where athletes push their limits, and this match was no exception, highlighting the intensity and drama that define Grand Slam tennis.
for the first time as 2020, a seasoned player is set to relive the thrill of reaching the quarter-finals. “Facing Sabalenka will be a tough challenge,and I need to stay grounded,” emphasizes the Belgian coach. “Sabalenka is younger, more physically robust, and capable of handling intense weekly training sessions—something Anastasia struggles with now. Let’s not overlook that Sabalenka was a junior world No. 1 at just 14. After nearly two decades on the professional circuit, Anastasia has to contend with a body that’s more vulnerable and a mind that’s less sharp. Sabalenka, on the other hand, is an aggressive baseline player with the mental fortitude to dominate the rankings, as she’s already demonstrated. Anastasia is incredibly skilled, but she may have lacked that extra drive to break into the elite tier (Editor’s note: her career-high ranking is 11th). I see a similar pattern with Tsitsipas.”
The collaboration between the coach and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is highly likely to continue. “She plans to reach out after the Australian Open. we might kick off a new partnership during the Masters 1000 events in Doha and Dubai, then move into the clay court season. We’ll see how it goes. During the US open, I received an enticing offer to coach a top 20 player—whose name I’ll keep private. But I had just committed to Anastasia the day before. if the opportunity arises again, I’d seriously consider it.”
Could this be the path to achieving his lifelong ambition of becoming the world’s top coach?
US Open 2024: Yannick Mertens, one of the two Belgian pillars supporting Russian star Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
The article you’ve shared provides insights into the coaching dynamics and partnerships in the world of professional tennis, especially focusing on Belgian coaches Wim Fissette and Jos Geerinck. Here’s a summary of the key points:
Wim Fissette’s Role with Iga Swiatek:
Wim Fissette is highlighted as a highly insightful and collaborative coach. Jos Geerinck praises Fissette’s humility, willingness to share expertise, and ability to engage in productive discussions about the technical and biomechanical aspects of his players. Fissette’s adaptability and approach to refining Swiatek’s game are expected to yield excellent results, especially given Swiatek’s openness to evolving her playing style.
Challenges with Other Players:
The article contrasts swiatek’s adaptability with the challenges Fissette faced while coaching Naomi Osaka. Some players,like Osaka,may struggle to modify ingrained habits or techniques,frequently enough relying on repetition rather than embracing change. Justine Henin,on the other hand,is cited as an example of a player who thrived under Carlos Rodriguez due to her openness to change.
Jos Geerinck’s Partnership with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova:
As August 2023, Geerinck has been mentoring Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the 2021 Roland-Garros finalist.Their collaboration began after the US Open, with a five-week training stint in Dubai to prepare for the 2025 season. This partnership continued in Adelaide and Melbourne, highlighting a strong initial connection and a focused approach to Pavlyuchenkova’s development.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova at the Australian Open:
The article mentions a thrilling encounter at the Australian Open involving Pavlyuchenkova, though the specific details of the match are not provided in the excerpt.
The piece underscores the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and technical expertise in coaching, as well as the varying dynamics between coaches and players in professional tennis. It also provides a glimpse into the personalities and philosophies of coaches like Fissette and geerinck, who play pivotal roles in shaping the careers of top athletes.
