Rusedski Thinks Sharapova Hiring Groeneveld Was a Wise Move

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 13th December 2013

Rusedski Thinks Sharapova Hiring Groeneveld Was a Wise Move

epa03979804 Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova during a practice prior of her exhibition match against Serbian Ana Ivanovic, in Bogota, Colombia, 06 December 2013. EPA/Mauricio Duenas Castaneda |

Greg Rusedski has called up his own experience as the British television commentator and former ATP player gave his informal seal of approval to Maria Sharapova’s recent choice of Sven Groeneveld as her new coach.

The now-retired British player Rusedski worked with Dutchman Groeneveld back in the day, with a US Open final in 1997 against Patrick Rafter the result of the collaboration . As well as being Greg’s coach ,Sven was his best man at his wedding to the beautiful Lucy Connors.

Groeneveld will be guiding four-time grand slam winner Sharapova back into the game within days as the Russian plays on the WTA for the first time since August due to a shoulder injury and in the wake of sacking Jimmy Connors after one month of an ill-starred summer coaching arrangement.

“Sven’s a very good coach; I worked with him for four years.” Rusedski told British media, “He’s worked with many top men and women, with many world No 1s, so he knows how to handle the situation. It’s all about the small details. If you look at Sharapova’s game, what are you going to add to her game, what other dimensions are you going to put onto it? There’s not much. So you’ve got to keep her happy, make sure she trains hard and is ready for her opportunities.”

Rusedski is sure that Groeneveld, who also worked with Adidas as mentor to the marque’s Tour players, will not be making any major changes in the game of a proven champion. “I think he’ll add that little half to one percent she needs. In that relationship, the first two, three months are going to be key, because obviously there are huge expectations on her going into the Australian Open.”

Topics: 10sballs, Atp, Greg Rusedski, Jimmy Connors, Maria Sharapova, Sports, sven groeneveld, Tennis, Tennis News, Wta