After parting ways with Kristina Mladenovic, it was obvious that Sascha Bajin will get a new client. Surprisingly that came to pass soon enough, and the choice of his new employer has stirred a serious discussion. Sascha Bajin has become the new Dayana Yastremska’s coach, something that has surprised many. A significant section of tennis enthusiasts can’t explain how such an experienced tennis coach can opt to coach a player who doesn’t win titles often.
The truth of the matter is that Sascha Bajin’s previous employers have always won titles frequently. They include the likes of Naomi Osaka, a player he coached to her first titles in Indian Wells and US Open. As a result, he was named the inaugural WTA coach of the year in 2018. Unfortunately, he and Osaka ended their working relationship after she won the Australian Open in 2019. The German coach also held a significant role as a hitting partner in Serena Williams’ team. He worked diligently with Serena’s team for eight years hence receiving a lot of praise from her. She even referred to Bajin as her older brother. Besides, he also had some stints with Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Wozniacki.
Sascha Bajin offers Yastremska a shoulder to lean on
Bajin became Yastremska’s coach in 2019 after the Australian Open. He teamed up with the Ukrainian after she lost to Serena. Despite the criticism that followed Bajin for choosing Adelaide’s finalist, there is still something about her that makes her a great player. Yastremska is an amazing ball striker. In fact, it is a physical gift that has always captured Bajin’s attention.
“I think she has one of the biggest potentials on tour. Physically she’s very gifted. She’s a great mover, and she has incredible power. Her groundstrokes are very powerful, and I believe that’s right up my coaching comfort zone if I could call it that way, ”told Tennis.com.
Sascha Bajin feels remorseful after parting ways with Mladenovic
According to Tennis.com, Bajin feels that he was selfish for leaving Mladenovic. He confirmed that his entire family liked her. That is why he admitted to having thought more about himself when he called it quits with the Ukrainian.
“I’ve never said no before. It was always me on the other end receiving it. It was tough. My nieces really liked Kiki, my mother also. I admit it was a selfish decision because I had to think about myself there, honestly,” he said.
Yastremska in Adelaide, ranking, and results in 2020
Now ranked no.24, Yastremska has a 4-1 win-loss record in 2020. Yastremska is currently having a run in Adelaide where she toppled Timea Babos 7-5 6-3, Angelique Kerber 6-3 2-0 ret., Donna Vekic 6-4 6-3 and Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 7-64.
Dayana Yastremska will come up against Barty in the final. The head to head is 1-0 for Barty.
The last time that they played each other, Barty won 6-4 6-1 in the 2nd round in Miami (Miami Open) in March 2019.
Kristina Mladenovic’s ranking and performance in 2020
Now ranked no.39, Kristina played her last match on the 5th of January when she surrendered to Ludmilla Samsonova 6-1 6-4 in the qualifications in Brisbane.
Dayana Yastremska and Kristina Mladenovic played each other 1 time. The head to head is 1-0 for Mladenovic.
The last time that they locked horns, Kristina Mladenovic won 6-3 6-4 in the 1st round in Istanbul (TEB BNP Paribas Istanbul Cup) in April 2019.
I admit that I am surprised that Sascha Bajin abandoned Kristina Mladenovic. I can understand why he wanted to coach Dayana Yastremska more than Kristina Mladenovic because she clearly has a higher ceiling than Mladenovic. I think the fact that Osaka dropped him after he coached her to three major titles in just a few months was a wake-up call to him. He realized that the coaching business can be brutal and unfair so he decided to "active" as opposed to "reactive". Sascha realized that the all the top WTA Players are selfish! So he has decided to do what is best for him by selecting a player that only needs a slight adjustments rather than Mladenovic which is a project.