Kei Nishikori announced earlier this week that Max Mirnyi will be a part of his full-time coaching team in 2020, joining Michael Chang.
Nishikori wrote the following on Instagram: “Excited to announce that Max Mirnyi will join the coaching team (with Michael Chang) full-time in 2020! Excited what the future holds.”
The immediate past was unkind to the Japanese 29-year-old, who endured another injury-plagued season. He started strong (title in Brisbane, quarterfinal at the Australian Open, semifinal in Rotterdam) but struggled thereafter aside from back-to-back quarterfinal performances at the French Open and Wimbledon. Nishikori has not played since the U.S. Open (lost in round three to Alex de Minaur) due to elbow surgery. He is currently 13th in the rankings and missed the Nitto ATP Finals for just the second time since 2013.
Mirnyi reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 18 and was No. 1 in the world in doubles. The 42-year-old from Belarus retired at the end of 2017, although he played one Davis Cup rubber for his country in 2018.
“I am excited about the opportunity to have a chance and help Kei,” Mirnyi commented. “I have known Kei for a long time from the days of my active playing career–training and spending a lot of time at the IMG Academy in Bradenton. So, I hope that this progression will be natural for both of us personally and on a professional level.”
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just gotta stay healthy
Health indeed seems to be an issue. Maybe you should have a poll to see how healthy he will stay! Wishing him the best!
it’s impossible to predict injuries
Interesting choice . Obviously to add new dimensions to his game.
I wish him the best, he is a good player.