Coach Paul Annacone described coaching as “one of the most enlightening things” as he admits he has learned a lot from coaching the likes of Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, etc. Annacone, 59, is one of the most respected coaches in the game and his resume speaks for itself.
Annacone started his coaching career in 1995, when he began working with American tennis legend Pete Sampras. After Sampras finished his career, Annacone worked with Federer, Wawrinka, Tim Henman and Sloane Stephens. Since 2018, Annacone has been coaching USA’s top-ranked male tennis player Taylor Fritz.
Annacone on coaching Sampras, Federer, etc
“The amazing thing about coaching is that I learn more from each player than they learn from me. I have been so lucky to be with Pete, Roger, Sloane, Tim Henman, Stan, and now Taylor, and every experience is new.
I’m learning more stuff with Taylor (Fritz), things that I’m wrapping my mind around that I hadn’t been around before. I really think that coaching is one of the most enlightening things you can do because sure, you have this foundation of what you believe and what you want to do, but in an individual sport, you better have your mind open and you better be willing to be a sponge too.
And then, most importantly, how can you say it so that individual buys in,” Sampras explained in a podcast hosted by tennis.com. This year, 25-year-old Fritz enjoyed the best season of his career. Now, Fritz is a Masters champion, he has an ATP Finals appearance in his resume and he also recently broke into the top-10 for the first time in his career.
Going forward, Fritz’s goal is to win a Grand Slam. The US Men’s tennis hasn’t had a male Grand Slam champion in singles since Andy Roddick won the 2003 US Open title. It remains to be seen if Annacone can guide Fritz to a maiden Grand Slam win.
