Bloemfontein, South Africa – 2017 ATP Coach of the year, Neville Godwin, was one of the star attractions at the recently completed Tennis South Africa (TSA) National Coaches Conference in Bloemfontein. 
Godwin, of Johannesburg, who previously coached Kevin Anderson for four years and now guides South Korean Next Gen sensation, Hyeon Chung, was a guest presenter at the inaugural coaches event. He was joined at the conference by Cyril Genevois, an internationally renowned tennis physical conditioning expert.
Over 100 coaches from all corners of South Africa attended the two day conference, held during the Growthpoint Junior Nationals.
While in Bloemfontein, Godwin shared some of the coaching tips that helped him lift Anderson into the top 10 of the ATP singles rankings, as well as reach last year’s US Open final in New York.
“I enjoyed four good years with Kevin on the tour, and was glad to have helped him achieve what he has. He is an incredible player with so much talent and work ethic and I am sure we can expect some good things to come from him in the future” said Godwin.
Godwin said that his split with Anderson was an amicable one and Anderson needed a “new set of eyes” in his camp, “We are still good friends despite not working together. Kevin and I sat down together and we both decided that he should look at a fresh perspective and new set of eyes.”
For Godwin the wait to sign another player was not long, as ATP Next Gen winner, Chung approached Godwin, “What an honour it was being approached by Chung, one of the most exciting new players, on the tour to be his coach. I am looking forward to the challenge of taking Chung into the top 10 of the world” said Godwin.
Godwin said he was impressed with the turnout of coaches at the conference, “The good attendance at the conference is a good sign for the game. TSA need to be credited for the effort they are making to unite the coaches and assist them improve on their coaching skills, by holding these workshops. We need to focus hard on communication between coaches, communication between coaches and players, communication between coaches and parents and understanding this is a long term process, with a long road ahead. However by working together, I think we can achieve a lot. “
Genevois, who holds a PhD in Sports Science agreed with Godwin’s comments, “We have to work together as coaches and share knowledge with each other and not hold the knowledge back from each other.“
Genevois, who presently works with the Moroccan Tennis Federation also emphasised the importance of correct fitness conditioning for players over and above technical coaching, “Coaches have a responsibility to keep their players fitness levels at a high all the time, whether on tour, or during the off season. Correct and proper fitness instruction is important to the overall success of the player.”
A special guest at the conference was former South Africa Fed Cup player, Ilana Kloss, who is presently CEO of World Team Tennis. Kloss who won the US Open doubles title with countrywoman Linky Boshoff (1976) and in the same year was the world number 1 ranked woman’s doubles player and was a Junior Wimbledon singles winner (1972) and US Open junior winner (1974) gave praise to TSA for their focus on coaches.
“I was impressed by the amount of coaches that attended the workshops, but would like to see more women coaches involved.” Kloss also said that coaches played a vital part of the game, “It’s fantastic that TSA are giving coaches the attention they deserve. The new management and Board of TSA are definitely on the right track and by all divisions of the game working together in South Africa, including the coaches, the game is set for a bright future.”
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