Carlos Rodríguez is an Argentinian tennis coach. Although he has coached several players both on the ATP and the WTA tour, Rodríguez is most notable for his long-time collaboration with the former World No. 1 and multiple grand slam winner Justine Henin. As of 2011, the pair had been together for 15 years, but a portion of that span includes Henin's brief retirement from the pro circuit.[1] Upon Henin's comeback, she insisted that she could not have any other coach than Rodriguez.[2] Rodriguez obliged. He has since commented that her aspiration to return to the highest echelon of the women's game – and rankings, as she retired while holding the No. 1 ranking – has as much to do with factors off the court, that is, mental preparedness and her private life, as it does with her physical fitness or shot-making abilities.[2]
Country (sports) | Argentina |
---|---|
Coaching career (1994–) | |
Dominique Monami (1994–1996) Justine Henin (1995–2008; 2010–2011) Li Na (2012–2014) Daniela Hantuchová (2015-2017) Peng Shuai (2018-2019) Amanda Anisimova (2019-2020) | |
Coaching achievements | |
Coachee singles titles total | 48 |
Coachee(s) doubles titles total | 2 |
List of notable tournaments (with champion) 2x Australian Open (Henin-Hardenne, Li) | |
Last updated on: 22 September 2014. |
Before Rodríguez became Henin's coach, he coached Belgian tennis player Dominique Monami from 1994 to 1996.[3] On the men's tour he is notable for coaching Olivier Rochus and Dick Norman.
In July 2012, Rodríguez was hired by former French Open champion Li Na on a trial basis. After becoming Li's full-time coach, he was credited for her late career surge during which she ascended to world No. 2 and won her second Major title at the 2014 Australian Open.[4] In July 2014, Rodríguez and Li parted ways.[5] Rodríguez resided in Beijing and works at a tennis academy there.[6] In December 2014, he started coaching Daniela Hantuchová.[7] In late 2019, Rodriguez and Amanda Animisova joined forces and worked together for a trial until the 2020 Australian open where they parted ways. [8]
References
edit- ^ New York Times: Good Times and Bad, Henin Kept Her Coach in View
- ^ a b Australian Open Archived January 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Rothenberg, Ben (27 August 2012). "After Replacing Coach, Li Finds Quick Success". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ^ "Li Na's career, marriage saved by coaching change | National Post". Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
- ^ "Li Na, Carlos Rodriguez part ways". ESPN. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ^ Sun, Xiaochen (13 April 2011). "Top coach to help China's future stars". China Daily. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ^ "Hantuchová to be coached by Carlos Rodriguez". Tennis.com. 19 December 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ "Amanda Animisova and Carlos Rodriguez End Coaching Arrangement". 11 February 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2022.