Former world No. 54, Natalia Vikhlyantseva, shared her perspective on the newly formed coaching collaboration between Diana Schneider and Dinara Safina.
Vikhlyantseva commented, “Many fans are excited about Dinara and Marat Safin returning to tennis as coaches, and rightfully so. It`s always disheartening when prominent tennis figures, who inspired many generations, don`t engage with tennis after their careers. Not sharing their extensive experience is a loss. This coaching role will be a valuable experience for both Diana and Dinara. Safina previously worked with the Russian Tennis Federation, leading an experimental group and offering guidance. When I was around 18-19 years old, it was incredibly valuable to have a former world No. 1 share her insights on tennis with me. It was prestigious and very cool. I hope Dinara achieves the same heights in coaching as she did during her playing career.”
She further added, “They are now entering the clay season. The crucial aspect is Diana`s confirmation of her ranking points. Last year, Schneider performed exceptionally well under Igor Andreev`s guidance. I believe we will see the impact of Safina`s work by Roland Garros. It will be interesting to observe Diana`s specific improvements, considering their different playing styles. Former professional tennis players notice subtle details that you might miss, but they are aware of them due to their experience.”
Marcus Prine