{"id":2047902,"date":"2026-07-17T10:15:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T07:15:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2047902"},"modified":"2026-07-17T10:15:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T07:15:07","slug":"did-i-just-fire-myself-serena-williams-coach-offers-to-lead-atp-star-after-missed-grand-slam-opportunities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2047902","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Did I just fire myself&#8217; &#8211; Serena Williams coach offers to lead ATP star after missed Grand Slam opportunities"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"ps-article-content rounded-lg lg:mt-5 lg:border lg:border-card lg:bg-card lg:shadow-primary\">\n<header>\n<h1 class=\"py-4 text-xl font-normal text-title sm:text-2xl\">\u2018Did I just fire myself\u2019 \u2013 Serena Williams coach offers to lead ATP star after missed Grand Slam opportunities<\/h1>\n<div class=\"my-2 flex items-center justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flex items-center\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/author\/richie-mills\" class=\"text-sm font-normal !text-author\"><br \/>\n                            Richie Mills                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <time class=\"ml-3 text-sm font-normal text-info md:ml-4\" datetime=\"17 Jul 2026 11:15 AM\" data-ps-date=\"17 Jul 2026 11:15 AM\" data-ps-datetime=\"1784283307\"><br \/>\n                            17 Jul 2026 11:15 AM                        <\/time>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"hidden justify-end space-x-4 text-xl sm:flex sm:!opacity-100\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 dark:hidden h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_light.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/fire-myself-serena-williams-coach-offers-lead-atp-star-missed-grand-slam-opportunities\" class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" aria-label=\"Share to facebook\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Ffire-myself-serena-williams-coach-offers-lead-atp-star-missed-grand-slam-opportunities\" class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" aria-label=\"Share to twitter\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Ffire-myself-serena-williams-coach-offers-lead-atp-star-missed-grand-slam-opportunities\" class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" aria-label=\"Share to linkedin\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/\/send\/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Ffire-myself-serena-williams-coach-offers-lead-atp-star-missed-grand-slam-opportunities\" aria-label=\"Share to whatsapp\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/share.flipboard.com\/bookmarklet\/popout?v=2&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Ffire-myself-serena-williams-coach-offers-lead-atp-star-missed-grand-slam-opportunities\" aria-label=\"Share to flipboard\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"sm:hidden flex items-center space-x-5\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 dark:hidden h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_light.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <button id=\"t365-article-share-btn-hidden\" class=\"mr-2 hidden h-6 w-6 appearance-none border-none !text-share-icon outline-none hover:!text-share-icon-active sm:hidden\" data-title=\"\u2018Did I just fire myself\u2019 \u2013 Serena Williams coach offers to lead ATP star after missed Grand Slam opportunities\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/button>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5 border-b border-page\"><\/div>\n<section>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5\">\n<figure class=\"aspect-h-9 aspect-w-16 relative\">\n                                        <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1320\" height=\"742\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"w-full h-full object-cover object-center !my-0\" src=\"https:\/\/d2me2qg8dfiw8u.cloudfront.net\/content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Felix-Auger-Aliassime-and-Novak-Djokovic-after-their-match-1320x742.jpg\" alt=\"Pictured: Felix Auger-Aliassime and Novak Djokovic after their match\">                <\/figure><figcaption class=\"flex items-center space-x-3 border-b border-mobile-caption px-3 lg:border-caption\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-1.5 break-words !text-xs !text-content\">\n                                Felix Auger-Aliassime and Novak Djokovic after their match                            <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"ciam-article-t365\"><!-- Article Start --><\/p>\n<p>Felix Auger-Aliassime split from his long-time coach, and now a tennis great has put her hat in the ring to be in the Canadian\u2019s box one day.<\/p>\n<p>Following this year\u2019s Wimbledon, where the 25-year-old lost in a five-set epic to Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals, Auger-Aliassime parted ways with Frederic Fontang after nearly 10 years together.<\/p>\n<p>The duo started working together in 2017, with the 6ft 4in player reaching a career-high of world No 4 and going on to win nine <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/atp-tour\">ATP Tour<\/a> titles.<\/p>\n<p>However, their journey together has come to an end, with the player saying on Instagram, \u201cAfter nearly ten years of working together, it has recently been decided that Wimbledon would be my last tournament with Frederic by my side as my coach.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cToday, I want to express my deepest respect, gratitude, and admiration for his dedication and the passion he brought every single day to helping me achieve my goals.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>More Tennis News<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/emma-raducanu-lifestyle-change-advice-greg-rusedski\">Former British No 1 with some candid advice for Emma Raducanu<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/atp-tour\/novak-djokovic-carlos-alcaraz-emma-raducanus-complaints-finally-being-addressed-tennis-chiefs\">Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Emma Raducanu complained in 2025 and tennis chiefs are finally tackling the problem<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Want more from Tennis365? Add us as<span>\u00a0<\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\">a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span>for tennis coverage you can trust.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cSince I was 16 years old, he has guided my development and helped me experience incredible moments through this sport. He has also been by my side during the toughest moments of my career.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Even though Auger-Aliassime sits fourth in the rankings, it seems he feels former professional Fontang has taken him as far as he can go.<\/p>\n<p>The Montreal-born player, who previously worked with Rafael Nadal\u2019s uncle Toni between 2021-24, has reached the quarter-finals at all for majors, in addition to two US Open semi-finals.<\/p>\n<p>But the 2022 Davis Cup winner clearly believes he can kick on from here, something six-time major winner <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/rennae-stubbs\">Rennae Stubbs<\/a> seems to agree with.<\/p>\n<p>The Australian, who is part of Serena Williams\u2019 coaching setup, admitted she would \u201clove\u201d to coach Auger-Aliassime, while outlining what he needs to do going forward.<\/p>\n<p>She said on her own <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/same-sinner-new-queen\/id1393881115?i=1000776646987\" target=\"_blank\">podcast<\/a>,\u00a0\u201cFelix, I am available. And if you\u2019d listened to Todd Woodbridge a couple of weeks ago, he said that I\u2019m\u2026 I\u2019m not available, actually. What am I saying?! Not for a while.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDid I just fire myself? If there was a player that I would love to coach, it would be him. As we talked about many times, I would loosen him up by making him understand his athleticism and the way he plays, he needs to relax a little bit.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe saw some amazing tennis from him against Novak. That was definitely the match of the tournament on the men\u2019s side, five hours and 15 minutes. The longest match <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/novak-djokovic\">Novak Djokovi<\/a>c has ever played at Wimbledon, which is pretty amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Since last year\u2019s US Open, Auger-Aliassime has made it to three Grand Slam quarter-finals. In New York, he lost to Jannik Sinner in four sets in the last four, threw away a first set lead in a four set loss to Flavio Cobolli in this year\u2019s French Open quarter-finals, and then missed the chance to knock out Djokovic at Wimbledon.<\/p>\n<p>The French Open defeat in particular felt like a missed opportunity, especially as Carlos Alcaraz was injured and Sinner and Djokovic went out early, and perhaps with another coach in his corner, Auger-Aliassime can compete for Grand Slam titles.<\/p>\n<p>But while his serve and forehand are big weapons, the backhand was a shot Djokovic targeted at SW19 and it eventually paid dividends.\u00a0However, at 25, there is still plenty of time for him to win a maiden major.<\/p>\n<p><strong>WHAT NEXT? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/novak-djokovic-understands-dream-25th-grand-slam-might-not-become-reality\">\u2018Novak Djokovic understands a 25th Grand Slam might not happen\u2019 after Wimbledon setback<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!-- Article End --><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u2018Did I just fire myself\u2019 \u2013 Serena Williams coach offers to lead ATP star after missed Grand Slam opportunities Richie Mills 17 Jul 2026 11:15 AM Felix Auger-Aliassime and Novak Djokovic after their match Felix Auger-Aliassime split from his long-time coach, and now a tennis great has put her hat in the ring to be [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,249],"class_list":["post-2047902","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-tennis365-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2047902","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2047902"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2047902\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2047902"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2047902"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2047902"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}