Former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic and her coach of two years, Nigel Sears have decided to part ways. Ivanovic hired Sears—the father of Andy Murray’s long time girlfriend Kim Sears and the former coach of Daniela Hantuchova—after the 2011 Wimbledon. They had a two-year contract, which they mutually agreed not to renew.
Under Sears, the 26-year-old Serbian finished the 2012 season ranked No. 12, her highest ranking since 2009 and also reached the 2012 U.S. Open quarterfinals, the first time she had reached that stage since she won the 2008 Roland Garros.
However, Ivanovic stated at the start of the year that she wanted reach the Top 5 again and advance to at least the semifinals of a major. Ivanovic lost to No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska in the fourth round of both the Australian Open and Roland Garros before Canadian teenager Eugenie Bouchard stunned her in the second round of Wimbledon. Ivanovic will fall to out of the Top 15 when the new rankings are released on Monday.
Bouchard is again on the hunt for a coach after Antonio Van Grichen decided not to work with her anymore. The two were only working together on a trial basis. Van Grichen has also coached Victoria Azarenka and Vera Zvonareva. Bouchard has worked with former Wimbledon finalist Natalie Tauziat before and could renew that relationship.