Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash has been appointed the new coach of American world No.25 Coco Vandeweghe.
Cash, who has previously worked with Greg Rusedski and Mark Philippoussis, is set to start working with the 25-year-old right away with the two joining forces at this week’s Rioch Open in the Netherlands. He takes over from Craig Kardon, who parted ways with Vandeweghe following her first round loss at the French Open. It is understood that Kardon is now working with Donald Young.
Speaking about his new coaching role, the 52-year-old believes Vandeweghe has the ability to win a grand slam title. In the major tournaments she has won 25 out of 47 matches so far in her career and has only reached the quarter-final stage or better twice (Wimbledon 2015 and Australia 2017).
“I’m excited as I believe she has the potential to win a slam,” Cash told the Herald Sun.
“She has the power to wipe players off the court.
“We will be aiming to use that skill throughout the grass court season and onwards.”
Earlier this year Vandeweghe achieved her best grand slam result by reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open. Since then, she has only managed to win four out of 10 matches played on the tour. The only tournament the American has managed to get back-to-back wins at during the clay court season was at the Madrid Open.
Eager to find a resurgence in form, Vandeweghe will be bidding for a third title in s-Hertogenbosch this week. She is seeded fourth in the tournament and will play Germany’s Carina Witthoeft in the first round.
In is expected that Cash will work with Vandeweghe until at least the US Open later this year.
Vandeweghe’s 2017 performance
Sydney – R2
Australian Open – SF
Dubai – R1
Indian Wells – R1
Miami – R1
Stuttgart – R2
Madrid – QF
French Open – R1
