Carlos Moya insists all members of Team Milos Raonic will put their egos aside when John McEnroe joins them as a coach during the build-up to Wimbledon and that there is no concern of having too many cooks working in the same kitchen.
Raonic, a former Wimbledon semi-finalist, added McEnroe to his coaching staff that already includes Moya and Riccardo Piatti, and the trio will be helping the Canadian over the next three weeks in preparation for SW19.
The world No9, who lost to Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the French Open third round on Sunday, believes McEnroe – a three-time Wimbledon champion – can help him in the upcoming grass season, along with Moya and Piatti.
Moya, who won Roland Garros in 1998, joined Raonic’s team at the end of last year, and helped him reach the semi-finals at the Australian Open in January.
Asked if he was worried about too many voices in the Raonic camp talking to the Canadian, Moya said: “It’s going to work very well. We get along very well, which is the most important thing. We are here on board to help Milos to be a better player, no egos here. He’s the boss, let’s say, and we have to give him our best thoughts, and our best advice, and that’s not going to be a problem at all.
“It’s a great value to have John around us for five weeks (McEnroe will be commentating for the BBC during Wimbledon but will still consult with Team Raonic).
“He’s probably the best serve-and-volleyers ever, one of the greatest volleyers ever, so for sure he has some tips to share with Milos and with us. It’s going to be a great learning experience with all of us.”
Raonic also discarded the idea that too many coaches could be confusing, saying: “At the end of the day, every coach I have is to some extent an advisor, and it is my job personally, out of everything I hear, to weigh what it’s worth and weigh what is best for me. I’m the CEO of the Milos Raonic Tennis. That’s it.
“I take everybody’s consultations very personally. I know everybody I have around me wants to help me to the fullest. I work very hard, and it’s going to be about putting the things together right, and sort of taking those things that I can really do on a day-to-day basis to improve. At the same time, it’s not a focus for just Wimbledon. It’s John coming along to help me improve in general.”
Moya was asked if the future of tennis will see players have a coach for each surface.
The Spaniard laughed saying: “I don’t think so (laughs). John is going to be a coach but also a consultant. But I don’t think we’re going to have a coach for every surface.”
