For the last six months there has been conjecture about the identity of the ‘mystery coach’ who at the beginning of 2012 would work with world no.1 Caroline Wozniacki. Finally the name of Ricardo Sanchez has been officially released
Sanchez, was previously employed by former world no.1 Jelena Jankovic but reports from Denmark, including that in Ekstra Bladet, suggest he was not the man kept under wraps for the tail end of last year.
The Spaniard, who peaked at world ranking of no.343 on the ATP World Tour nearly 30 years ago has spent a lot of time watching matches alongside Wozniacki’s father Piotr who agreed with his daughter that extra input was needed if she was to finally legitimize her ranking with a long overdue major title.
Caroline said: “It’s a good idea with Ricky. We know him very well, and he has been watching so many of my matches and created tactics against me, so he really knows me as a player. He also knows all the other girls on the tour very well.”
Sanchez is believed to have agreed to a one year deal with the Wozniacki family and her management with Lagardere Unlimited. And he is delighted, saying: “It’s like a dream come true.
“I have seen many of Caroline’s matches, and she has become my idol because of her personality and hard work. Piotr and I will work closely together about everything. I have a lot of respect for the work he did with Caroline.
“She picks up new things very quickly, and without injuries and with everything well organized, we will go to Australia and try to win there.”
Lapsing into the football parlance that will register with the Wozniackis (Caroline is a big fan of Liverpool FC and Piotr played professionally in his native Poland) Sanchez added: “I feel like Pep Guardiola must have felt when he was allowed to coach FC Barcelona.”
“DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”
Topics: Caroline Wozniacki