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This year saw the dissolution of quite a few longstanding professional relationships in tennis, including those of Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev. Coach-player partnerships went sideways in the middle of the season fairly often in 2025.
Goran Ivanisevic jumped ship from Elena Rybakina's camp in order to avoid playing second fiddle to Stefano Vukov. Ivanisevic's time as Stefanos Tsitsipas' coach didn't last for too long as well.
Naomi Osaka booted Patrick Mouratoglou and hired Iga Swiatek's former coach, Tomasz Wiktorowski. The off-season offered players time to think about their future, which led to a shake-up of their entourage. Here's a look at five fresh coaching partnerships heading into the 2026 season:
#5. Nishesh Basavareddy and Daniil Medvedev's ex-coach, Gilles Cervara
Gilles Cervara got his big break as a coach once he signed up to be a part of Daniil Medvedev's team in 2017. He helped the Russian capture his maiden Major title at the US Open 2021, along with the World No. 1 ranking a few months later. He also helped him win six Masters 1000 titles and the ATP Finals.
Their relationship hit a wall in 2025 due to Medvedev's slump. The latter thought he needed a new perspective, and split with Cervara following his first-round exit from the US Open. It didn't take the Frenchman too long to find another opportunity given his resume.
20-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy hired Cervara as his coach in December. The Next Gen ATP Finals was their first tournament together, and the young American bowed out in the semifinals. Given the success he had with Medvedev, Basavareddy will hope Cervara helps him attain similar heights.
#4. Polina Kudermetova and Dinara Safina
Polina Kudermetova at Wimbledon 2025. (Photo: Getty)Dinara Safina was one of the most successful players of her era. She clinched the No. 1 ranking, won 12 titles, and was a three-time Major finalist. While her last match was in 2011, she officially retired in 2014 due to a nagging back injury.
Safina tried her hand at coaching and started working with compatriot Diana Shnaider earlier this year. However, their collaboration fell apart after a few weeks. She has now teamed up with her former countrywoman, Polina Kudermetova.
Kudermetova's breakthrough came at the Brisbane International 2025, going all the way to the final before losing to Aryna Sabalenka. She peaked at No. 54 in the rankings but failed to perform at the same level for the rest of the season. She recently renounced her Russian citizenship in favor of Uzbekistan.
Their partnership will be put to the test almost immediately. Kudermetova's defending half of her ranking points in Brisbane, which will begin from January 4. An early exit would lead to a drop in the rankings, something which Safina and Kudermetova will be keen to avoid.
#3. Ellen Perez and Paul McNamee
Paul McNamee's tenure as Hsieh Su-wei's coach recently came to an end. Their partnership commenced in 2011. Nine Major titles and 30 career titles later, they've now parted ways.
McNamee will now focus his attention on his compatriot, doubles pro Ellen Perez, joining her entourage as her coach. The latter has won eight titles on the doubles circuit, and reached the semifinals of the US Open 2022 and the French Open 2023. This will be another big change for Perez, who will begin a new on-court partnership with Demi Schuurs in 2026.
#2. Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani
Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani at the China Open 2025. (Photo: Getty)Jasmine Paolini has added a familiar face to her coaching staff, her doubles partner, Sara Errani. While it is a rather unusual arrangement, it makes sense given their camaraderie.
Danilo Pizzorno will continue to be Paolini's main coach, while Errani will mostly stick to coming up with tactics. Errani was a successful singles player over a decade ago, reaching the French Open 2012 final and becoming a top 10 mainstay for a couple of years.
However, Errani's success in doubles overshadowed her accomplishments in singles. Just when it appeared as if her career was on its last legs, she had a resurgence in 2024, and hasn't looked back since then. Playing doubles alongside Paolini breathed new life into her career. They won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, and won the French Open this year.
They've also won four WTA 1000 titles. Errani is quite familiar with how Paolini reacts on court. This will certainly give her a unique perspective while crafting strategies, and if successful, this experiment could usher in a new style of working.
#1. Carlos Alcaraz and Samuel Lopez
In a move that blindsided everyone, Carlos Alcaraz announced his separation from long-time coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, a couple of weeks ago. All of his career accomplishments, including six Major titles, came under the guidance of Ferrero.
Fortunately for Alcaraz, he had another coach in his camp. Samuel Lopez worked as a second coach to him alongside Ferrero. He will now assume the mantle of head coach for the first half of the 2026 season. A new coach may or may not join either before or after that.
Alcaraz is gunning to complete the Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open 2026. Parting ways with a long-time coach during such a time is an unexpected move. Whether this works in the young Spaniard's favor or not, will be known within a few weeks.
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Edited by Rohit
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