The Belgian is aiming higher in the second half of her breakout season.
In the midst of a breakout season, Belgium’s Elise Mertens has made a coaching change. The World No.15 has hired German coach Dieter Kindlmann, who has previously worked as Maria Sharapova’s hitting partner and been a coach of Madison Keys, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Laura Robson.
Kindlmann, 36 and a former World No.130, helped guide Keys to the U.S. Open final last season before the pair parted ways this May.
22-year-old Mertens reached the Australian Open semifinal this January and owns three WTA titles this season. She is 11th in the WTA’s race to Singapore standings.
"I think it was time for a change because you need somebody who has the experience already," Mertens told WTA Insider Courtney Nguyen this week at San Jose. "I'm ranked No.15 and I'm trying to go upwards and I think he's a person who can help me."
Mertens was previously coached by Robbe Ceyssens and later, Rick Vleeshouvers.
She’s hoping that Kindlmann can take her higher.
“I think after Australia I realized that I had it in me,” she said. “You always have to believe in yourself. Sometimes it's more difficult than others. But I believe I can do great stuff and go upwards."
