World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki refuses to name who her new coach is, but does tell reporters in New Haven that it is someone she has worked with for months.
Wozniacki and her father—and former coach—Piotr decided after Wimbledon to bring in a new head coach, as they have been frustrated by her recent results. A number of potential candidates have been mentioned, including her former technical coach Michael Mortenson, who is currently under contract to Li Na; TV commentator Brad Gilbert, who is assisting Kei Nishikori; and former ATP pro Kenneth Carlsen of Denmark, who has worked with Wozniacki on and off this year. He appears to be a likely candidate, but he denying that to the Danish press.
Sven Groenfeld, who also works with Wozniacki through the adidas player development program, confirmed to TENNIS.com that he is not going to become Wozniacki’s private coach.
Li’s camp does not believe that Mortenson will leave the French Open champion.
Two other names that have been mentioned are Australian Darren Cahill, who works with adidas player development and ESPN, and adidas coach Mats Merkel. Cahill seems an unlikely choice given that he has refused private coaching deals before and likes his work with ESPN. And even though Merkel has been a hitting partner for Wozniacki, he has never been a full time head coach.
Wozniacki’s father is with her in New Haven this week.
Wozniacki told Australian reporter Craig Gabriel that the decision has been in the works for some time, but doesn’t believe that making a coaching change before the U.S. Open will hurt her.
"I'm not going to forget how to play tennis in a few day," she said.