Current world number 17, Madison Keys, has officially hired a new coach for the 2019 season after parting ways with David Taylor. Keys achieved some of her best results at the Slams in 2018, reaching the semi finals of the US Open and French Open. In 2019, she’ll pair up with Jim Madrigal, Tennys Sandgren’s coach over the past two years. Madrigal will join Keys in Orlando during December for off-season training.
Madrigal was previously the head men’s tennis coach at Belmont University (Nashville, TN) for 18 years before joining Sandgren in 2017. In the two years Madrigal and Sandgren worked together, Tennys’ ranking went from the high 100s in early 2017 to a career high of 47 in April of 2018. Sandgren also reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and the finals of the ATP in Houston this year. He was the only player on tour to make the quarterfinals of a major in both singles and doubles in 2018.
When asked about the transition to coach a woman, Madrigal admitted there would be some differences, but his overall coaching philosophy will remain the same. “There will definitely be adjustments moving from the men’s to the women’s game. My focuses are concentrated on helping her be the best Madison Keys possible within her natural abilities. She has already exhibited the ability to beat anyone in the world. We will be focused on bringing a high level of play on a more consistent basis.”
Madrigal told Tennis Takes he’s eager to begin this new challenge in his coaching career. “I could not possibly be more excited to begin working with Madison. She’s such a great player, an amazing person, and is eager to improve her game in a handful of areas that we both agree will put her in a position to have a positive and exciting 2019.”
Time will tell if Madrigal can help Keys produce more consistent results and make a return to the top 10. The tennis world will be watching in anticipation.
What does Team Keys need to do for a return to the top 10? Is a grand slam title in 2019 attainable?
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