Serena Williams’ former coach Rennae Stubbs enraged by lack of recognition towards female coaches on the Tour

Australian great says the tennis world is missing out on the experience and perspective that women coach would bring.

Serena Williams’ former coach Rennae Stubbs enraged by lack of recognition towards female coaches on the Tour

Rennae Stubbs coaching Serena Williams (Image via Getty Images)

Four-time Grand Slam doubles, two-time mixed doubles champion and Australian tennis coach Rennae Stubbs expressed her disappointment with the reluctance shown by the sport to hire women in coaching roles. The Australian great, who notably coached Serena Williams in her last Grand Slam at the 2022 US Open, rued the missed opportunity for the players on the perspective that former top women players could bring.

Speaking to The Courier Mail, the Australian coach questioned whether her own country was ready for women in coaching roles in men’s and women’s sports. Stubbs also expressed her disappointment at how there was no enquiry by agents of players on her availability to take up a new role after the retirement of Serena Williams.

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This comes as a surprise, as Stubbs has been highly successful in her coaching roles with Samantha Stosur and Genie Bouchard. When Stubbs coached Karolína Plíšková in 2019, she was one of the only two female top ten player coaches alongside Conchita Martínez.

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Rennae Stubbs currently hosts the show ‘The Power Hour’ on prime video. Talking about the coaching role she could play in men’s tennis, Stubbs said,”There is no doubt I could step on a court with a male player and help him and I would have no problems saying that to anyone. To me, there is no difference between a woman coaching a male than coaching a female because men are coaching women, so what’s the difference? “

After Andy Murray surprised the tennis world by appointing former French player Amelie Mauresmo as his coach, there was a widespread belief that this would encourage the participation of women in coaching roles. But 10 years after that shock appointment, Stubbs believes that there still needs to be a “lot, lot more” female representation in key coaching roles.

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Rennae Stubbs calls for women coaches in all sports

Andy Murray and his ex coach Amelie Mauresmo
Andy Murray and his ex-coach Amelie Mauresmo (credits: PA)

Expressing her confidence in women looking to take up coaching roles in men’s sport, Rennae Stubbs said,”To me, there is no difference between a woman coaching a male than coaching a female because men are coaching women.” Tennis isn’t the only sport which lacks women coaches, though, according to Stubbs.

Talking about the situation in other sports, the Australian great said, “When you look at women’s basketball or basketball in the United States, we haven’t seen a female head coach of a team.” According to Stubbs, women coaches don’t get the backing they deserve from team management. Talking about the abuse and uncalled-for criticism, the female coaches face Stubbs remarked,”They would have to be a really special person in their ability to be able to take the loads of vitriol that would come their way.”

Stubbs believes that the only way she sees an improvement is if women are trusted with an opportunity. She asks the women coaches to trust their instinct and put the fear of failure out of their minds to gain success in their roles.

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