Peyton Stearns has taken Roland Garros by storm. After surpassing two back-to-back rounds with grace, Stearns’ confidence and talent on-court has left the tennis world in awe. But what’s the secret behind her prowess on-court? Well, the answer lies in her recently appointed coach, Tom Hill whose training she has followed almost like a “robot.”

Peyton Stearns has found her rhythm with his coach, Tom Hill after she joined hands with him in April during the Madrid Open. With his guidance, the former world No. 43 has produced her best results on-court so far, leaving the fans wanting more of such performances. She has already reached two consecutive quarterfinal matches this season with Hill’s guidance – WTA 125 Saint-Malo, FR, and WTA 250K Parma, IT.

“Tom came in and kind of took my life and flipped it real quick and in a good way. The results so far speak for themselves but it’s not just the title, it’s everything. I thought I was training hard before but it was nowhere near enough. I needed to train harder, I did, I am. It’s paying off,” she recently admitted. However, the quarterfinals are not the only achievement they have had together.

Although the American player remained absent in Rome as she didn’t sign up for the qualifying draw there, she turned the unexpected time gained into her blessing. How? Well, the 22-year-old tennis pro signed up for a training week along with his coach, Hill. They went to France (Nice), which not only provided time for them to connect off-court but also discuss their goal for the season. 

Naturally, Peyton Stearns confessed her wish to earn her first WTA title. Therefore, what followed were days of vigorous on-court training, “insane workout sessions” and lengthy runs. Doubtful at first, Stearns later understood the significance of the hard work she put in as she went on to achieve her first title in Morocco by defeating Mayar Sheriff in the finals by a 6-2, 6-1 score. “I knew I could win any battle because of what I had been through [in Nice],” she later admitted. 

Currently in Paris, she is vying to fulfill her next dream. And she is already a step closer to it, as she is one match away from reaching the second week at a major for the first time at Roland Garros. And while she faces Mirra Andreeva in the third round, one thing is certain, having Hill and training with him is surely “paying off.”  Hill also once disclosed how he helped her prepare mentally and physically as well.

Peyton Stearns’ coach wanted to train her “how the top girls train”

In 2023, Peyton Stearns’ record (16-14) was promising as she slowly climbed up the rankings under the guidance of Gabriel Trifu and Eric Hechtman. However, earlier this year, Stearns failed to keep up the same results. After losing in Madrid, her ranking declined to No. 87! But when Hill came into the picture, there was a noticeable shift. 

Although, at first, Hill said, “I didn’t sugarcoat it. I told her, ‘Look, you’ve been losing a lot — your record is pretty horrendous. We need to go down a level and win some matches. And then slowly earn the right to be playing these bigger tournaments.’”

However, the former coach of Maria Sakkari, Hill’s vision, was clear, “If you want me to really help you, you’ve got to let me train you how the top girls train.” And Sterns obliged his every word “Whatever I say, it’s almost like she’s a robot — she just does it.”

But the journey is far from over. As Peyton Stearns continues to achieve more glory in her career, the tennis world will also remember the unwavering determination of Hill that went behind it.