Simona Halep announced today she no longer will work with long-time coach Darren Cahill, who helped her reach WTA World No. 1 and win two Grand Slam singles titles.
“After six wonderful years working together, Darren Cahill and I have decided that it’s time to end our working relationship,” Halep said via Twitter. “Thank you D for everything, for making me a better tennis player and a better person.”
Australian Cahill stopped working with Halep in 2019 for what was said to be family reasons. However Halep and Cahill maintained communications during Wimbledon, which Halep would eventually win via a stunning straight set final vs Serena Williams.
Halep and Cahill reunited in 2020 but the union was hindered by the pandemic and a calf injury which prevented the Romanian from competing at this year’s Roland Garros and Wimbledon tournaments.
The recently married 30 year old Halep is currently ranked no. 14 in the WTA after losing in the round of 16 of the US Open.
Halep first reached WTA World No. 1 in October 2017. She won Roland Garros the following year and of course the 2019 Wimbledon title.
Cahill has recently relocated back to Australia from his former home in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Darren Cahill · Romania · Simona Halep
Scoop Malinowski · September 22, 2021 at 1:54 pm
Can’t see Halep thriving again without Cahill.
catherine · September 23, 2021 at 1:53 am
It’s possible Simona now has other things on her mind – expect her retirement next year. It’ll be interesting to see if Cahill starts coaching another player soon – there’ll be a long queue.
Scoop Malinowski · September 23, 2021 at 7:39 am
Catherine, Halep retiring soon is about as likely as Kerber retiring a few years ago when it looked like she was finished. I see Halep extending her career for as long as possible, to mid 30s, like Kerber. The fire still burns.
catherine · September 24, 2021 at 10:11 am
Cahill in the queue for Emma ? Ms Raducanu has dumped her current coach and is looking for someone with ‘more tour experience.’ Understandable maybe. Wim Fisette looking at his diary ? Mostly blank pages with Naomi.
Scoop Malinowski · September 24, 2021 at 11:16 am
Catherine, not a shocking move. very understandable, sensible move. Even Richardson concedes he was not the key component to her sudden success. https://www.tennis-prose.com/articles/emma-drops-richardson-looking-for-new-coach/
catherine · September 24, 2021 at 12:08 pm
From Guardian:
Darren Cahill, who recently parted ways with the 2019 Wimbledon champion Simona Halep, is one potential option, but Raducanu insisted that she was in no rush to appoint a new coach. “I don’t have anyone in mind,” said Raducanu, who was non-committal when asked when she will return to the WTA Tour. “When playing tournaments this year, I don’t think that’s the best time to try to out a coach. So in the preseason, when I’m done with whatever tournaments I play, I’m going to try some coaches out.’
Pretty good reasoning. The assumption has been that she’ll play IW but that may not be the case. Richardson commented that Emma’s most outstanding quality, apart from the pure tennis aspect, is her intelligence – she rivals Navratilova as maybe the highest IQ in the modern game. Of course that alone won’t win her GSs 🙂
Re Martina – I always felt there was great coaching potential never used. But I suppose she knew best.
Scoop Malinowski · September 24, 2021 at 12:21 pm
Catherine, do you know how many Grand Slam main draws it took Martina to win her first major? 15! Martina won her first major at 1978 Wimbledon age 21, her first major was at 1973 Roland Garros. So it can be said at this stage, Emma is stronger mentally at 18 than Navratilova was. This of course does not mean she will win as much as Martina for as many decades. She is a smart girl obviously and knows what she wants and what she needs. Richardson is an excellent developmental coach. but she needs a strong, experienced presence now, familiar with all the pitfalls and mindgames that happen at the elite level of pro tennis. Richardson is not experienced in this area. There are a lot of angry, highly motivated WTA players who want to teach young innocent Emma that she better not get too big for her britches. A strong male coach with experience is needed to protect her from all that.
catherine · September 25, 2021 at 1:29 am
Scoop – Martina went off the rails when she left Czechoslovakia – she was very young, immature, didn’t mix with the kind of people who would have helped her tennis and, most importantly, didn’t have the coaching structure behind her which exists for players these days. She made up for it later but I think she lost a few years of her early career. Emma’s not in that situation, thankfully, but I agree she does need a strong guiding hand, with experience of the girls’ school atmosphere which often prevails in the WTA tour.
I’d be surprised if Cahill showed any interest. After years with Simona I suspect he’d be looking for a less demanding job – mentally and in terms of travel etc.
Maybe a young Australian ?
Scoop Malinowski · September 25, 2021 at 8:33 am
Catherine, Cahill and Fed had a short tryout together and the rumor is Cahill opted to not work with Federer, this is when Federer was in his major drought about eight years ago. It reflects very favorably on Raducanu that she is more advanced and mature than younr Martina was, smarter decisions, more discinple and better results. But then you have to worry about too much too soon syndrome. She’s gone from girl to queen in the span of a couple of months.
catherine · September 25, 2021 at 12:17 pm
Emma sounds pretty balanced here:
“I got back on court a few days ago, and yesterday I did a full training day,” Raducanu said. “I was feeling pretty good about myself and my game, and I am very excited to compete again.
“All the opportunities I am getting have been fun, but where I really want to be is on the tennis court, as I’m just thriving out there. I haven’t decided on my schedule yet. I will decide in the next few days where I am going to go to, but wherever I play next, I’m going to make sure I’m ready. I don’t want to jump into things too early.”
(Tennis Now)
Scoop Malinowski · September 25, 2021 at 6:39 pm
Her appearance fees are going to go through the roof.
Hartt · September 26, 2021 at 11:49 am
I don’t think Halep will play for many more years. Getting married was a sign she is ready for the next stage of her life – she has said she wants a family, and she is not s spring chicken.
catherine · September 26, 2021 at 1:15 pm
Hartt – yes, I’d agree with that and go so far as to predict 2022 will be her last year.
And if her husband travels with her then I’d imagine a coach like Cahill might find himself de trop 🙂
Scoop Malinowski · September 26, 2021 at 6:39 pm
Hartt, I disagree. Halep seemed very motivated and inspired at US Open, even yelling and glaring at Cahill in her box. These moments showed Halep has plenty of fire left in her competitive spirit tank. She is still a very viable contender for Grand Slams. Would be very surprised if she retired at the end of year or next year. Dismissing Cahill shows she still believes in herself and she wants to go in a different direction for the home stretch of her wta career.
Scoop Malinowski · September 26, 2021 at 6:40 pm
Catherine, you thought Kerber would hang it up two years ago. You pull the trigger too early )
catherine · September 27, 2021 at 1:23 am
Re Kerber – Angie seemed to find some new motivation a couple of years ago – maybe her plunge in the rankings inspired her to try harder. But 2022 ? I’ve watched her this year, and although she’s played some good matches and obviously enjoyed starring in her new grass court event at Bad Homburg, she is really slowing down. She’ll be 34 in January and won’t get any faster or develop a better serve. So this time I’d say it’s auf wiedersehen.