‘There Hasn’t Been One Phone-Call Made’ – A Year After Serena Williams’ Retirement, Ex-Coach Painfully Narrates the ‘Shocking’ Silence About Women’s Coaching in Tennis

In the dynamic world of professional tennis, one would expect that talent, experience, and dedication would open doors for opportunities and recognition. But sometimes, reality proves to be a tougher opponent than any opponent on the court. This is the narrative that Rennae Stubbs, an Australian tennis great, has found herself facing after her work with the legendary Serena Williams.

In an exclusive interview with the Courier Mail, the former coach of the legendary American opened up about the inherent sexism in Australian tennis.

Serena Williams’ former coach opens up about fading recognition

Last year, Stubbs teamed up with Serena Williams during the US Open, and the results were impressive. Stubbs helped Serena perform well in the tournament. However, after Serena announced her retirement, things changed. Stubbs was surprised and disappointed that no one reached out to her for coaching opportunities. The recognition that had previously been a constant companion seemed to vanish into thin air.

In Stubbs’ own words, “But after the US was done and everybody knew that Serena was retiring, there has not been one phone call made to me or an approach from an agent to me if I would work with one of their players. So (it’s) absolutely disappointing and shocking and surprising in a lot of ways,” according to Courier Mail.

This situation highlights a bigger issue in tennis. Stubbs thinks there aren’t enough coaching opportunities for women in pro tennis, even though they have valuable experience to offer. She points out that there needs to be much more female representation in important coaching roles.

Rennae Stubbs on empowering female coaches

The legacy of Andy Murray’s partnership with former French player Amelie Mauresmo a decade ago still stands as a notable moment in breaking barriers. However, as Stubbs points out, this progress is far from enough. She asserts, “there still needs to be a ‘lot, lot more’ female representation in key coaching roles.” The potential benefits of engaging elite female coaches remain largely untapped.

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As the tennis world thinks about this missed opportunity, it’s essential to look at what’s stopping female coaches from reaching the top levels. Stubbs’ call for change should be taken seriously. She points out that making use of the experience and unique viewpoint that former top women players like her can bring is not just a good idea; it’s necessary.

In a world where recognition can be fleeting, the legacy of Rennae Stubbs and other experienced coaches hangs in the balance. Will any top players take her on board in the future? Only time will tell.

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