• WTA Tour

Head of women's tennis leaves to coach Ivanovic

ESPN staff
June 30, 2011
Ana Ivanovic lost to unseeded Czech Petra Cetkovska at Wimbledon © PA Photos
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Nigel Sears has left his role as head of women's tennis at the LTA in order to coach former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic.

Sears, the father of Andy Murray's girlfriend Kim, spent four-and-a-half years in the post, a period in which five British women broke into the world's top 100, two made the top 50 and two girls - Laura Robson and Heather Watson - won junior grand slam titles.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, Sears "is understood to have become tired of the non-stop politics" at the LTA.

'It's been a real privilege to be in charge of women's tennis at the LTA, and an honour to captain Great Britain's Fed Cup team, and I feel we've made considerable progress in the women's game over this period," Sears said.

"I've been fortunate to work with some great coaches, trainers and physios, and I look forward to following the progress of our players over the next few years."

Earlier this year Sears lost his overall performance director, the Belgian Steve Martens, who is still to be replaced. Next month Bruce Phillips, the commercial and communications chief Bruce Philipps, is to leave.

Ivanovic has steadily tumbled from the top of the women's game in recent years, and currently resides at No. 18 in the world rankings. The Serb, who was knocked out of Wimbledon at the third-round stage, is without a tournament win since November 2010.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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