No coach, new trainer for Bouchard in Toronto

TORONTO – For the second tournament in a row after the post-Wimbledon break, Genie Bouchard is playing a tournament without coach Thomas Högstedt or physical trainer Cassiano Costa.

No, she hasn’t parted ways with Högstedt, who was originally due to be in Toronto.

They will reconnect next week in Cincinnati, Bouchard said Monday.

But Costa is no longer on the job.

Big week for Bouchard

Bouchard’s new physical trainer is a familiar face.

Andy Hanley, originally from Ireland, was performance director at The Chamber gym in Davie, Fla. The 23-year-old worked with him then; the gym was a training base for off-court work for Bouchard when was at home in Miami and especially when she was working with coach Nick Saviano, whose academy is in nearby Plantation.

Hanley remains affiliated with Saviano’s academy. He’s the physical trainer; when he’s on the road, the academy uses someone else from his setup.

He was her private performance coach when she was playing her best tennis back in 2013-2014.

Hanley also worked with Sloane Stephens a little bit at the end of the 2013 season.

The Rogers Cup is a big week for Bouchard on many levels – not the least of which is that the spotlight shines brightest on her during this week.

As well, she has obligations with sponsors and partners.

Bouchard also has family here. And, for the first time in a long time, both her parents (who are divorced) are in attendance.

It’s definitely not going to be a week in which she can work on anything technical. Roberto Brogin, the Tennis Canada coach who worked with her in Montreal during her first junior years, is on hand. He was also in Washington, D.C. last week, as was Hanley.

Once the preparation for the US Open gets going in earnest next week, Bouchard said, Högstedt will be there.

Bouchard will play her first round Tuesday afternoon against qualifier Donna Vekic of Croatia. It’s a match of – let’s not sidestep it – blonde bombshells. And it’s a difficult first round for both.