Querrey Hires Gilbert as a Part Time Coach

Written by: Staff on 20th February 2012

Querrey Hires Gilbert as a Part Time Coach

Sam Querrey of the USA returns to Bernard Tomic of Australia during their second round match at Rod Laver Arena, the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 18 January 2012. Tomic won. EPA/JOE CASTRO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

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After Sam Querrey decided major change was needed to rejuvenate his career that is on the point of dropping outside the world’s top 100 for the second time in six months, the tall Californian has turned to Brad Gilbert for new coaching advice and signed a new racket deal with French brand Babolat.

Querrey, aged 24 and currently ranked a disappointing 99th on the ATP World Tour computer, has only managed to win one match this year and last week was dumped out of the first round of the SAP Open in San Jose by Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin.

The three and a half year coaching partnership with South African-born David Nainkin has suffered because of the losing run that followed from being sidelined from the tour for three months last year after suffering elbow problems and subsequent surgery during his attempt to defend the AEGON Championships at London’s Queen’s Club.

Querrey missed both Wimbledon and the US Open last year and the player whose ranking peaked at no.17 early last year approached Gilbert in San Jose to see if the former coach of Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray would be interested in helping out.

Gilbert is understood to have informed Querrey he was available on a part-time basis, as he did with Japan’s Kei Nishikori last year. The 50 year-old from San Rafael, California, currently sees his main occupation as an analyst with the ESPN commentary team that currently works at all four majors. However he is more than willing to assist on a week-to-week basis.

Querrey, a long time Prince man when it came to rackets also felt the time was right for a change in that department. He said: I am thrilled to be part of the Babolat team. I think with this racket in my hand I can make a quick rise back to the top.

Clearly Babolat’s executives think the same. With key American Andy Roddick continuing to drop down the rankings (this week he’s at 27th position, a ten year low), Seth McKinley, Babolat International sports marketing manager, said: Sam is a natural fit for Team Babolat. Not only is he a remarkable talent, but he is also the type of well-rounded, well-respected individual we seek to represent the Babolat brand.

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