Coaching Roddick

In the 90’s Jewish coach Brad Gilbert turned Andre Agassi into a superstar. But that wasn”t enough. Now he’s doing the same for tennis sensation Andy Roddick. Jewsweek’s Marvin Glassman catches up with the coach on the court at the Nasdaq 100.

As if tennis coach Brad Gilbert did not earn enough credit when his student Andy Roddick won the prestigious U.S. Open last September, Gilbert made tennis history this month when Roddick won the Nasdaq 100 Open in Miami. Roddick’s title gave his coach the honor of becoming the first player to have won a Nasdaq 100 Open title (in 1986 in doubles) and coached two players (Andre Agassi along with Roddick) to Nasdaq 100 Open titles.

“Brad won a doubles tournament here?” asked Roddick when hearing of Gilbert’s victory in 1986, sensing that his coach is not a great doubles player. When informed that Gilbert won by a walkover in the final, he replied, “See? He’s not that great.”

Gilbert even downplayed the significance of his personal achievement. “I always focus on the next match for Andy and scout his next match. Although I am proud of what I achieved, I can”t give much thought to it because I am always planning the next move for Andy,” says Gilbert.

It is the easy give and take relationship of Gilbert and Roddick that has produced trust and confidence that has taken Roddick to the number one ranking in men’s pro tennis in less than six months with Gilbert as coach.

Gilbert is a laid back 43-year-old Californian who is the complete opposite of the stereotypical coach who has to coddle and bully a player to get the most out of him (think Bobby Knight). In many ways, Gilbert acts more like a buddy and best friend than a coach. When Roddick won the Canadian Open last August, Gilbert went sky diving with Roddick to celebrate the title.

“It was an experience I won’t forget and may not want to duplicate again. Since Andy follows everything I suggest, the least I can do is give in to celebrate with him,” says Gilbert.

Gilbert was the genius who guided Andre Agassi from a low ranking (#30) in 1993 to the number one ranking in men’s tennis within 12 months. Agassi’s quest, which included six Grand Slam titles (Australian Open, French Open, U.S. Open, Wimbledon) over his eight year coaching relationship with Gilbert, began with Agassi winning the Canadian Open title in 1994.

Gilbert’s ability to transform Agassi from a promising star to the most dominant player in the game makes many believe that he would do the same with Roddick. What may have been surprising is how fast Gilbert turned Roddick (six months) from a promising star into the number one ranked player in the world by the end of 2003. Gilbert put himself in an elite status by being one of only four coaches in history to have guided two players to the number one world ranking in tennis.

“I always believed that Roddick could become a number one player with Gilbert coaching him,” says former pro tennis player and television commentator Peter Burwash. “Brad is a master at scouting opponents and analyzing the weakness of their games. Gilbert will take Roddick’s gift of an explosive serve and turn him into a more strategic player. Gilbert has long been acknowledged as having one of the best tennis minds and a great coach.”

Gilbert started working with Roddick following the French Open last June when Roddick lost his first round match. Between the few months between the French and U.S. Opens, Roddick won three titles before winning the U.S. Open crown.

“I sought Brad out and it was the best decision I have ever made in my life,” Roddick admits. “He has helped me think for myself and recognize the importance of the mental game.”

“I wanted to work with a player at the beginning of his career that could win Grand Slam titles. Andy is a great talent and I felt that he was ready to take the next step to improve his ranking,” explains Gilbert. “Andy is committed to learning and pushing himself. I tell him little things, such as concentrate on every point and don’t give your serve up. Play every point with a sense of urgency. Never celebrate winning a point. Celebrate only when the tournament is over.”

After winning the Nadsaq 100 Open titles, Gilbert and Roddick celebrated in low key ways. “I promised my family (wife, Kim and three children — Zack, Julian, and Zoe) that I would be home for the Seder so I flew back to San Rafael for Passover,” says Gilbert. For Roddick, he went out the next day and practiced for his Davis Cup matches the following weekend (which he won).