Rafael Nadal’s long-time coach Francisco Roig has switched his allegiance and will now be coaching 2017 US Open women's singles champion Sloane Stephens.
Former World No.3 Stephens, who has been struggling with her form in recent times, made the announcement of Roig's addition to her team on Wednesday (December 21).
The seven-time WTA title holder expressed her happiness at partnering with one of the most successful coaches in tennis history and stated that she was looking forward to a successful journey together.
“Happy to have Francis Roig join my team as my new coach! Here's to a successful journey together, let's get to work,” Stephens wrote on Twitter.
Sloane Stephens, who previously briefly trained with Nadal’s former coach, revealed the news just five days after the Spaniard announced his decision to end their long-standing partnership of 18 years, which began in 2005.
The American star has already seen success during her ad-hoc work with Roig in the second half of the season, rising from outside of the world's top 50 in August back inside of the top 40 by the end of the year. She also reached the quarter-finals of the Guadalajara WTA 1000 in her final event of the season, beating two top 10 opponents in Caroline Garcia and Belinda Bencic.
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Happy to have Francis Roig join my team as my new coach! Here's to a successful journey together, let's get to work ✨
Muy contenta de comunicaros que Francis Roig será mi entrenador esta temporada ✨