Sunday Star-Times

Super coach Rea keen on long-haul stay

Kiwi tennis boosted by news that the respected mentor wants to stay, reports David Long.

- Simon Rea

Simon Rea wants to stay working with Tennis New Zealand once he’s completed its strategic plan in June.

The Kiwi coach who brought through Nick Kyrgios and worked with Sam Stosur while employed by Tennis Australia has been on a short term contract since the beginning of the year with Tennis NZ to shape the future of the sport in this country.

He will deliver the performanc­e side of a new strategic plan and his contract comes to an end after that.

But Rea says he’d like to stay on after that to implement the plan.

‘‘It’s my intention to be a part of tennis in this country for the long term,’’ Rea said.

‘‘From my perspectiv­e, the board have been supportive, they seem happy so far with what I’m bringing to the table.

‘‘It’s early days and I acknowledg­e that I need to prove my wares, but in respect of not just the board, but stakeholde­rs throughout this country, I’m doing my best to do that.’’

It would be a major coup for New Zealand tennis to keep hold of Rea, he is not only regarded as one of the world’s best coaches, but he is also in the unique position of being highly respected throughout what’s often a divisive tennis community in this country.

Rea says even if one of the world’s top players asked him if to be their coach, his preference would be to remain in New Zealand.

‘‘I wouldn’t have made the move if I didn’t feel like there was some longevity to it,’’ Rea said.

‘‘I don’t think anyone could expect to achieve an enormous amount in a six-month period.

‘‘Some of it is out of my control, but I would like to be a part of the puzzle moving forward for a longer term, post June.

‘‘Working in conjunctio­n with key people in our sport to formulate a plan is one thing,’’ he added.

‘‘But then it’s about bringing people along on that journey, in terms of what that plan calls for. That’s more important than what the plan entails.’’

As well as meeting key people around the country, Rea has been on court coaching the likes of Ajeet Rai and Finn Reynolds, two of New Zealand’s best juniors.

He also helped NZ Davis Cup captain Alistair Hunt during their recent win over South Korea.

America-based David Lewis, former NZ Davis Cup player and father of Jade Lewis, would like Rea to get more involved in his daughter’s developmen­t.

She showed at this year’s ASB Classic that she’s a player with huge potential by having a close match with Venus Williams, losing 7-6 6-2.

However, Rea says he won’t able to devote himself fully working with Jade.

‘‘David and I have spoken regularly and it’s a moving target at the moment,’’ Rea said.

‘‘In terms of what David is looking for for Jade and the level of commitment that’s required to do that properly, I couldn’t do that be to puzzle. based on the scope of my role and what that may be post the end of June.

‘‘Out of respect to them and wanting to support their want to do it properly, I can’t be that fulltime person.

‘‘But do I think I could add value to Jade’s developmen­t moving forward? I’d like to think that’s the case.’’

Something else Rea is getting involved in is plans for New Zealand’s Fed Cup involvemen­t in the Asia/Oceania Group II event in Dushanbe, Tajikistan in July.

It will be New Zealand’s first involvemen­t in the Fed Cup since 2014, following the decision to pull out afterwards because there weren’t enough good players.

However, there hasn’t been any improvemen­t over the last three years with the country’s top player, Marina Erakovic ranked at 105 and the second highest being Jo Carswell at 828.

Underneath them are the youngsters Lewis, Paige Hourigan and Claudia Williams, but without Erakovic New Zealand may struggle.

‘‘Marina is someone who always wants to represent her country,’’ Rea said.

‘‘It’s that balance of how it fits in. That time of the year is right in the thick of things for her.

‘‘There are a number of things that have to be weighed up and it needs to be the right thing for her career too.’’

I would like to be a part of the

 ??  ?? Simon Rea wants to hang around.
Simon Rea wants to hang around.

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