With 33 titles, Wimbledon 1994, and three Olympic medals, among other achievements, Conchita Martínez (Monzón, Huesca) continues to expand the record at 52 years and reach even higher levels than he achieved with his racket. Live a second youth, an explosion of … His qualities such as the tennis expert (sport, circuit, game, emotions) that was always, now through his pupils, yesterday Garbiñe Muguruza, today the Russian Andreeva myrrhto which he has just made champion in Indian Wells.
But first it was Shahar Peer. His initial approach to direct another hand that was not his after retiring in 2006. Janet Husarova, Rennae Stubbs, Anastasia Radionova, Alicia Monk, Sally Peres, Karolina Pliskova would arrive later. A cultivation broth to understand this other tennis that is seen, analyzed and studied, but is not put into practice, and that extended to the collective when in 2013 the position of Copa Federation and Davis Cup assumed until 2017.
After a dismissal that did not sit very well, he first sat on the Muguruza bench, which had already won Roland Garros in 2016. They were only guidelines, some tips, tricks, understanding and knowledge of who has passed by and that helped the Hispanic-Venezuelan to win Wimbledon 2017. Thirty years later, another dish of Venus Rosewater for the Aragonese. And of the impulse, number 1 for four weeks; Something that, on the contrary and despite everything, did not reach the teacher.
The relationship was fixed in 2020, after Muguruza suffered the vertigo of the heights; Undress by expectations and exhausted by the demand, he did not help the tension with Sam Sumyk, and played background with three months without winning a single game. “You can better understand me than other people and that has greatly influenced my decision,” I accepted when he signed with her again.
A few months after that new connection, the tennis player reached her fourth final of a great, at the Australia Open 2020. “Thank you for helping me return to a Grand Slam final, Conchita,” Muguruza acknowledged. He did not win that title (he lost against Sofía Kenin), nor did the coach win in the 1998 final (against Martina Hingis), but he took a major prize for growth: trust, stimuli, energy, calm, stability.
Despite a non -linear trajectory, Muguruza gave one of his greatest peaks of form, play and titles. A firm base that consolidated it in the elite once the pandemic was finished. In 2021, champion in Dubai, champion in Chicago and teacher of teachers, the first Spanish to achieve it, the last Spanish to achieve it, three of the world. She also won Conchita, of course, recognized her work with the Best WTA Coach Award in 2021.
Friendship continued, but they ended up separating their paths in 2023. «At the moment I am also taking this year peacefully; They have been very intense years of many trips, but I don’t say not to train again. I do not close doors if an opportunity comes that motivates me, of course. If a player calls me there that needs help, I would consider it, ”explained that sabbatical summer. The call came a few months later, but not from a tennis player up there but quite the opposite, of a player down there, by age, to teach, educate, polish, wrap and with which to grow together.
An Andreeva myrrh with which he began to share training, lessons and conversations of tennis and everything else in the spring of 2024, still limited by law the player to play tournaments (12 to 17 years; 16 when he fulfilled this age, without limits with 18). «I am very comfortable with her and we have created a great work environment. I hope it’s going well and I hope she likes to work with me. We will see how we will work and decide in the long term, ”said the Russian to ABC during the Madrid tournament last year. The long -term decision was taken quickly, because the understanding was total. Jokes, anger, pressure, patience, a lot of left hand and more determination. There was an incredible talent to care for, protect and build in good direction.
A very powerful tennis, capable of spitting the ball in a serve at 202 kilometers per hour, and a warrior and ambitious character, and very receptive. And the result cannot be better. They promised the quarterfinals in Madrid, the Semifinals of Roland Garros, the Eighths of Wimbledon, the first title (WTA 250 of IASI), and the Olympic silver in doubles in Paris 2024. And in this 2025, the promise is a reality that will not have tennis in their hands tomorrow, but today. Semifinal in Brisbane, Eighth in Australia, WTA 1,000 of Dubai and WTA 1,000 of Indian Wells – with triumphs against Swiatek and Sabalenka -, where Conchita failed in 1992 (Monica Seles) and in 1996 (Steffi Graf); six of the world. Produle within few chosen that is still bigger if the precocity records that entail; It does not meet the age of majority until April 29.
Laughs, calm and a notebook
Unequivocal proof that the road is well drawn, with a firm and soft hand, with patience to guide behaviors and moderation so as not to fly too high, with discipline in the execution of blows and freedom to continue being a teenager. “My coach and I had a plan, but then on the track I did not remember anything,” he expressed himself with trembling in his timid voice and smile in June 2024, after reaching his first semifinal of Grand Slam. “I know that sometimes I am a grain in the ass, but you are always with me and now we share this trophy,” he granted after lifting the title in Dubai. «I don’t know what to do with so much money, ask my father. I cannot have a bank account until the age of 18, ”he laughed with the check in his hands, unable to provide champagne on the podium. “I didn’t even realize that I had taken so strong because I don’t know how much there are 126 miles in kilometers,” he said about his supersonic serve in California.
The formula of success is reluctant by Andreeva every tournament. «It has taught me to value the little things that I do well. I am not negative, but I find it difficult to be happy when things are not going well, ”he said in Madrid. “We laughed a lot and does not have so much tension during the games,” he reflected in Roland Garros. “Ask my opinion about the game plan with which I am more comfortable … it gives me energy, I create a good atmosphere to relax before the games and make it optimistic with my game and my mentality,” he said in the semifinal in Indian Wells.
This methodology joins, from time to time a notebook so that the notes are not forgotten, which is still in institute. In Dubai, the cameras captured some of the phrases: «You can! Everything will work out! I believe in you! “,” Being ready, intelligence and aggressiveness “,” don’t pay attention to your good blows. ” Duties written by Andreeva’s hand, directed, oriented and instilled by the hand of Conchita Martínez.
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