World No.15 Lucas Pouille is set for a big change after confirming the appointment of Ion Tiriac and Gerard Tsobanian as his new managers.
Both Tiriac and Tsobanian are known on the tour for their management of the Madrid Open. Tsobanian credits Tiriac for helping him develop a successful business career in the sport. Tiriac is a former professional Romanian player who won the 1970 French Open doubles title with Illie Nastase. Since his retirement from the sport, he has heavily invested in business to become the richest person in Romania with an estimated wealth of EUR 1.6-1.65 bln. Meanwhile, Frenchman Tsobanian has been involved in the running of both the Madrid and Geneva Open.
“I made the best decision for myself,” Pouille told Le Parisien about the appointment.
“No big machines, but a relationship of trust over time, with a team that will only be concentrating on me in order to go as high as possible. Ion and Gerard know how to do it. I want to evolve.”
“I have confidence in what they are going to bring me on and off the court.They will help me to be even better organized.”
Since January Pouille has risen 75 places in the Emirates rankings to a career high of 15th in the world. On the ATP Tour he won his maiden title at the Metz Open in France, defeating Dominic Thiem in the final. In the grand slams, the 22-year-old reached back-to-back quarter-finals at Wimbledon and the US Open. The series of milestones resulted in the French player winning the ‘most improved player’ accolade at this year’s ATP awards in November.
Pouille will begin his 2017 season in the first week of January at the Brisbane International. He is currently one of three French players ranked in the world’s top 15 after Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
