Mark Nixon · @markalannixon
28th Nov 2013 from TwitLonger
Richard Gasquet and Seb Grosjean on Richie's new coach in l'Equipe: Find a coach isn't easy.I had 4-5 names in my head but some were already taken. I wanted to continue with a foreigner. I consulted a lot with Seb (Grosjean) and he told me he knew Sergi Bruguera well. He has experience at a very high level, and he's plain and intelligent. I though he was a good choice.
Sergi's never coached at a high level, Seb hadn't either before me, and now he's worth all the coaches in the world.
Sergi is very motivated. He knows the game well, as well as the mental aspect. I like his approach with that. The fighting spirit in tennis, he has that. He's a fighter who was in some tough situations in big matches. Sergi is the right person for me. He'll be with me in February at we'll see at that point (Grosjean will be in Doha and Melbourne). But there's no trial period. I think it'll work out well. He's plain and likeable, and is a bit like Seb. I made the right choice.
I don't care if he's a clay or hard court specialist. What's important is he knows the game of tennis and that he has experience. He played at a high level, and when he talks, I respect him, because I know what he's done. It's easier to listen to someone who knows his stuff.
Grosjean: I saw him play a bit because he played Slams in the Legends. We have mutual friends with Carlos Costa. Sergi has the experience and the mentality of a Slam winner. It's around 10 years since he retired, but he's coaching young players at his father's academy. It's important to me that he's not French. He'll show Richard his methods of training and preparation. He's also discreet and humble, and that fits well with Richard's personality.
You don't always choose a coach because of his style of play. Sergi can move his game ahead tactically, in training, and his forehand which should become a real weapon. He can help him get more upper body strength to serve better. He's intelligent and he'll adapt his style of play. He'll reinforce what Richard does well, the details that will make the difference. And Sergi won RG twice and was #3 in the world because he's strong mentally. He'll help him a lot at important events.