Venus Williams’ decision to seek new guidance on the tour was one that caught her former coach off guard.
Earlier this week it was confirmed that the seven-time grand slam champion has decided to fire coach David Witt. Witt has been a key figure in Williams’ camp since 2007. Initially starting as a hitting partner before being promoted to her coach. During a recent interview with Ben Rothenberg from The New York Times, the 45-year-old has said he was planning to travel to New Zealand next month. The country where Williams will play her first WTA tournament of 2019 at the ASB Classic.
“When it happened, both of us were emotional about it,” Witt told The New York Times.
“After, you sit there and go: ‘Man, after 11 years, it’s over after a two-minute phone call. Wow. After 11 years.’ Part of you sits there and says that, and the other part says that it was a business decision, which I totally understand, and I respect her decision. I don’t even need to know why; it’s just her decision. It is what it is, and we had a great run, and nothing lasts forever.”
Williams is yet to make a public comment about the shake-up in her team. The move comes after what has been a mixed season for the American. This season she has failed to reach at least one final on the tour for the first time since 2013. Resulting in her ending the year outside the top 20. Williams’ best result was reaching the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
At the age of 38, Williams is the third oldest player in the WTA rankings. She will soon be the second oldest following the retirement of Patty Schnyder. Nevertheless, Witt doesn’t think she will be quitting the sport anytime soon.
“As far as I’m concerned, and from what she told me, she’s not retiring,” he said.
“What I’m guessing, with how old she is — obviously she’s not getting any younger or any faster or any of that — maybe she’s planning on playing a limited schedule.”
So far in her career, Williams has won 49 titles on the WTA Tour and has scored more than 130 wins over top 10 players. She has also played in 80 grand slam main draws.
Williams will start her 2019 season during the first week of January in Auckland.
