As one of the youngest coaches on the WTA Tour, Tom Hill also has one of the most interesting back stories. Find out how Hill went from nearly attending law school to the top of the WTA coaching ranks in a few years' time.
At the end of his college days, Hill was relaxing and working on finishing up his degree, thinking that his tennis career may well and truly be over. Then he got a phone call from Maria Sharapova's agent Max Eisenbud, and everything changed.
In this edition of the Lucky Letcord Podcast, Chris Oddo chats with Hill about that important phone call and how it reeled him back into the sport, where he would turn a short-time gig as a hitting partner into first coaching gig with American Danielle Collins.
Hill talks about getting a phone call from Collins late in 2017 when he had already taken an advertising job back in the UK. Collins needed a coach to go to Auckland. Hill, meanwhile, had worked up a plan to work in advertising for a year to pay for law school...
How could he resist Collins' offer?
He did not.
The pair went on a six-month tear that saw Collins truly arrive on tour, firmly inside the Top 50.
After a split Hill picked up with Maria Sakkari, as an assistant coach alongside Swedish legend Thomas Johansson. We talk to Hill about how much he learned from Johansson and how it informs him as a coach today.
Of course we speak to Hill about Top 20 player Maria Sakkari, asking him what makes the Greek player special and how high he thinks she can go.
Hill also gives his input on the importance of scouting and analytics, the rumors of a WTA/ATP merger and more.
Thanks to coach Hill for his time and thanks to all for listening.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices