Andrea Petkovic has enlisted the help of tennis coach Jan de Witt on a trial basis as she bids farewell to a troublesome 2015.
It is understood that the two will work together in Halle (Germany) during the off-season. This year, Witt has worked with French tennis player Gael Monfils for eight months before they decided to end their partnership. The coaching agreement was ended after Monfils lost in the first round of the Cincinnati Masters. Speaking about working with Petkovic, Witt has hinted that he hopes to extend his trial period with the world No.24.
“It is true that we will work together. Andrea is already training in Halle, Westphalia, initially until Christmas. There is a trial period which we have so agreed. I’ll be there until the weekend, as my holiday was planned well ahead.” Witt said.
“We want to work together and look both forward to the exciting challenge.” He added.
Petkovic has endured a difficult season on the tour, ending it with a 6-0,6-0, loss to Carla Suarez Navarro at the WTA Elite Trophy in China. After experiencing a year of dealing with injury as well as family health issues, the German recently said during an interview that she was questioning the continuation of her career, admitting that she has lost her ‘passion for tennis’.
“It’s just been the past two or three months, I just sort of lost the passion for tennis,”. Petkovic told the WTA Insider last month.
“When I was at home, I was feeling really happy. And the minute I went on tour I just sort of felt depressed. Really depressed in a way that I didn’t want to get out of bed at all”.
Since speaking about her uncertain future on the tour, Petkovic has spent some time away from the sport and now has a more optimistic look. During an interview earlier this week with t-online.de, Petkovic has pledged to continue her tennis career, describing her previous negative feelings about the sport as ‘torture’. One of the key tournaments for the German in 2016 will be the Olympic Games.
“Rio is an overarching goal. I am a bit excited. I’m looking forward to it like a little kid.” Petkovic said
The 28-year-old claimed her sixth WTA title earlier this year at the Antwerp Open. Petkovic has also reached the semifinals at two other WTA tournaments in Miami and Charleston. In the Grand Slams she reached the third round in three out of the four tournaments (Australian Open is the exception). The mixed season has given Petkovic a 2015 win-loss of 31-24 (56% winning rate).
