Former Grand Slam Winner Hints at Move Into Coaching
Dominic Thiem may soon be trading his racket for a coaching clipboard. The former US Open champion has recently hinted that a move into coaching could be in his future, sparking curiosity about what the next chapter of his tennis journey might look like. While Thiem hasn’t confirmed exactly what role he might take on whether guiding top professionals on the tour or working with younger players at the grassroots level the idea isn’t unfamiliar in the tennis world.
Several former champions have successfully made the transition from player to coach, including Boris Becker and Juan Carlos Ferrero. Now, it appears Thiem could be the latest Grand Slam winner considering a similar path as he begins thinking about life beyond his playing career.
Dominic Thiem hinting at possible new role as a coach.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 18, 2026
Thiem shared the update on his Instagram stories saying, “Hi everyone, I have some news to share with you soon!After an incredible 14 years competing on the ATP Tour, my journey will be continuing in a new and exciting way. Looking forward to passing on my knowledge and experiences in the sport I love most. Monday March 23 #partner #announcement.”
How have the other grand slam winners turned coaches fared?
Several former Grand Slam champions have shown that success on the court can translate pretty well into coaching, too. One of the most famous examples is Boris Becker, who worked with Novak Djokovic for a few years and helped the Serbian star add multiple Grand Slam titles to his already impressive resume.
Becker brought a champion’s mindset to the partnership, and Djokovic often credited him with sharpening his mental approach in big matches. Another great example is Juan Carlos Ferrero, the former French Open winner who later became the coach of Carlos Alcaraz.
Ferrero has played a huge role in guiding the young Spaniard’s rise, helping him develop into one of the most exciting and successful players of his generation. Then there’s Ivan Lendl, who famously worked with Andy Murray and helped him break through mentally to win his first Grand Slam title.
Stories like these show that former champions often bring a unique perspective to coaching; they’ve been through the pressure, the big matches, and the ups and downs of the tour themselves. That kind of experience can be incredibly valuable for the next generation of players trying to reach the top of the sport.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Tennis section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
