SARASOTA, Fla. – Sloane Stephens will be able to count on coach Nick Saviano’s expertise in Australia.
Saviano, the longtime coach of Canadian Genie Bouchard until they parted ways in November, has been working with the American – whom he first coached when she was just 11 years old – for the last several weeks at his South Florida Academy.
Reached by phone Thursday, Saviano confirmed to Open Court that he was headed Down Under.
“Yes, I will be going to Australia with Sloane,” said Saviano, who will catch up with Stephens in Hobart, Tasmania the week before the first Grand Slam of the 2015 season.
Saviano didn’t elaborate on what their future collaborative plans would be beyond the Aussie summer swing.
Stephens has already left Florida; she will open her season at the WTA Tour event in Auckland, N.Z. next week.
Stephens, who is still just 21, is currently ranked No. 36 after a tough season during which her singles won-loss record was just 21-20, although she did reach the fourth round in the first two Grand Slams of the season in Australia and Paris.
She struggled with a left wrist issue and other assorted nagging injuries over the last couple of years, but should be starting 2015 healthy even if she will be unseeded in Melbourne.
(Pics from the Saviano Academy’s Facebook Page)
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