Legendary tennis coach Bollettieri open to Robson link-up

Legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri has told fans he would relish the chance to help Laura Robson realise her vast potential.

Robson, 19, has been through a succession of coaches since turning professional and is again on the lookout for a new one after splitting from Miles Maclagan.

She has been tipped to link-up with Bollettieri, who has helped harness the careers of a host of top stars, including Monica Seles and Boris Becker, at his academy in Florida and, while he has ruled out a full-time coaching role, he admits he would be happy to mentor the young Briton.

“I have not been contacted by Robson at all, but I would open to talking about the potential that I think she has,” he said, speaking to Mike Graham on Extra Time.

“At this time, I would like to work alongside a coach that would have to dedicate his life. When I was on the road, that was 36 weeks a year. That has to be a commitment.

“I would want to do the same I do with Kei Nishikori and Tommy Haas. I give advice to their coaches and I am part of the team. I would not want to head up the team but help the team.”

Robson reached the last 16 at Wimbledon and the third round of the US Open this year, but has had a number of disappointing performances in recent weeks.

Bollettieri believes she can be a future Grand Slam winner, although he would seek assurances that she has the drive to be the very best before agreeing to join her professional set-up.

He continued: “What Laura Robson has to do is answer the question the same as what Boris Becker did when I took over training him again. I said, ‘Boris, what do you want to do with your career’ and he looked right back at me and said, ‘Nick, I want to get back on top and I will do anything it takes’. I said I would be his new coach.

“The first thing I would do if I was involved is to listen. I would listen to Laura Robson tell me everything about the game, her father, her mother.

“I would also ask, ‘you have been with other coaches, can you tell me what happened? Was it positive, negative?’

"I would say very little until I had spoken to her and her mother. I would want to know the whole picture before I would ever make a commitment. Then I would have to decide what to do.”

Exclusive – Legendary tennis coach Bollettieri open to Robson link-up

Legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri has told fans he would relish the chance to help Laura Robson realise her vast potential.

Robson, 19, has been through a succession of coaches since turning professional and is again on the lookout for a new one after splitting from Miles Maclagan.

She has been tipped to link-up with Bollettieri, who has helped harness the careers of a host of top stars, including Monica Seles and Boris Becker, at his academy in Florida and, while he has ruled out a full-time coaching role, he admits he would be happy to mentor the young Briton.

“I have not been contacted by Robson at all, but I would open to talking about the potential that I think she has,” he said, speaking to Mike Graham on Extra Time.

“At this time, I would like to work alongside a coach that would have to dedicate his life. When I was on the road, that was 36 weeks a year. That has to be a commitment.

“I would want to do the same I do with Kei Nishikori and Tommy Haas. I give advice to their coaches and I am part of the team. I would not want to head up the team but help the team.”

Robson reached the last 16 at Wimbledon and the third round of the US Open this year, but has had a number of disappointing performances in recent weeks.

Bollettieri believes she can be a future Grand Slam winner, although he would seek assurances that she has the drive to be the very best before agreeing to join her professional set-up.

He continued: “What Laura Robson has to do is answer the question the same as what Boris Becker did when I took over training him again. I said, ‘Boris, what do you want to do with your career’ and he looked right back at me and said, ‘Nick, I want to get back on top and I will do anything it takes’. I said I would be his new coach.

“The first thing I would do if I was involved is to listen. I would listen to Laura Robson tell me everything about the game, her father, her mother.

“I would also ask, ‘you have been with other coaches, can you tell me what happened? Was it positive, negative?’

"I would say very little until I had spoken to her and her mother. I would want to know the whole picture before I would ever make a commitment. Then I would have to decide what to do.”

Exclusive – Legendary tennis coach Bollettieri open to Robson link-up

Legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri has told fans he would relish the chance to help Laura Robson realise her vast potential.

Robson, 19, has been through a succession of coaches since turning professional and is again on the lookout for a new one after splitting from Miles Maclagan.

She has been tipped to link-up with Bollettieri, who has helped harness the careers of a host of top stars, including Monica Seles and Boris Becker, at his academy in Florida and, while he has ruled out a full-time coaching role, he admits he would be happy to mentor the young Briton.

“I have not been contacted by Robson at all, but I would open to talking about the potential that I think she has,” he said, speaking to Mike Graham on Extra Time.

“At this time, I would like to work alongside a coach that would have to dedicate his life. When I was on the road, that was 36 weeks a year. That has to be a commitment.

“I would want to do the same I do with Kei Nishikori and Tommy Haas. I give advice to their coaches and I am part of the team. I would not want to head up the team but help the team.”

Robson reached the last 16 at Wimbledon and the third round of the US Open this year, but has had a number of disappointing performances in recent weeks.

Bollettieri believes she can be a future Grand Slam winner, although he would seek assurances that she has the drive to be the very best before agreeing to join her professional set-up.

He continued: “What Laura Robson has to do is answer the question the same as what Boris Becker did when I took over training him again. I said, ‘Boris, what do you want to do with your career’ and he looked right back at me and said, ‘Nick, I want to get back on top and I will do anything it takes’. I said I would be his new coach.

“The first thing I would do if I was involved is to listen. I would listen to Laura Robson tell me everything about the game, her father, her mother.

“I would also ask, ‘you have been with other coaches, can you tell me what happened? Was it positive, negative?’

"I would say very little until I had spoken to her and her mother. I would want to know the whole picture before I would ever make a commitment. Then I would have to decide what to do.”