Last week’s Volvo Car Open saw Caroline Wozniacki add a new dynamic to her coaching team in the shape of a former French Open champion.
Watching from the sidelines was Francesca Schiavone. A former rival and top 10 player who won eight WTA titles. Schiavone pulled the curtain on her career in 2018 after playing in the main draw of 70 grand slam events. The two bumped into each other during the Miami Open last month, where it was agreed that the Italian would help Wozniacki during her first clay court event of the season in Charleston.
“So Francesca lives in Miami part-time, and I actually saw her right by where I live and said, ‘Hey, why don’t you come to my practice? You know, give me a few tips on the clay.’ And she was like, sure I’d love to.” wtatennis.com quoted Wozniacki as saying.
“And then we just had one practice, and I said, ‘So what are your plans next week?’ She was like, ‘I’m free if you need me’ so I said, “Why don’t you come to Charleston with me?”
“I think it’s great, she knows the clay so well, obviously it’s her favourite surface. For me, it’s just good to get a few pointers and a few tactical things, stuff like that. So here we are.”
The tips seem to have paid off for the Dane, who went on to reach the final of the tournament. Her best performance achieved on the surface since the 2017 Swedish Open. During the tournament she scored wins over three seeded players, including Petra Martic and Maria Sakkari. However, she was denied the title on Sunday by Madison Keys.
“I think sometimes it’s just, she’s like, ‘Okay, well try this maybe.’ Or, ‘That can make a difference when you get a deep ball or a short ball’ or, ‘This is how you can cover the net maybe slightly better.’ The former world No.1 said of Schiavone.
“There’s a few things that I always want to do better, so those are just the kind of things, like the little things that can make a difference.”
Schiavone has made it no secret about her desire to turn to coaching after her retirement from the sport. Speaking to reporters at the US Open last September, the 38-year-old said she hopes to one day guide a player to grand slam success.
“After 20 years of my career and life. I have new dreams. I have new dreams every day of my life. My new dream is to come here (to Flushing Meadows) and win a grand slam as a coach.” Schiavone stated.
“It would be a fantastic emotion for me. For sure, to help some players to reach their goals.”
It is unclear if she would be able to achieve that goal with Wozniacki, who is guided on the tour by her father. Piotr Wozniacki has been her main coach since she was a teenager. However, she has also previously worked alongside Thomas Johansson, Sven Groeneveld and Thomas Hogstedt.
Piotr will undoubtedly remain the top dog in the team, but will there be a space for Schiavone during the European swing on clay?
“I think we’ll sit down after this tournament next week and just see how we feel,” Wozniacki explained following her third round match in Charleston.
Wozniacki’s next tournament is set to be the Madrid Open next month.
Not the trophy I had hoped for, BUT so many good things I can take with me from this week! Most importantly feeling good, and improving every day! Thank you Charleston for a great week! pic.twitter.com/RTtsZLLVOl
— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) April 7, 2019
