Top 30 ATP player told he’s had ‘one of the worst ideas’ ever by hiring new coach who does not suit him at all

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There have been a lot of big coaching appointments in recent months on both the ATP and WTA Tour.

None other than that of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, with the former rivals set to reunite for the upcoming sunshine double of Indian Wells and the Miami Open.

They had their first tournament together at the Australian Open, with Murray not entirely happy with his coaching of the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

It is not just the ATP Tour that has seen significant changes, with WTA world number two Iga Swiatek hiring Wim Fissette after parting ways with Tomasz Wiktorowski.

Swiatek is not the only Polish player to switch things up, with Hubert Hurkacz inviting some big names to join his coaching setup.

Hubert Hurkacz criticized for hiring Nicolas Massu as his coach

Hurkacz parted ways with his long-term coach, Craig Boynton, in August after spending five years together.

As the off-season got underway, Hurkacz announced his new coaches would be former world number one Ivan Lendl and two-time Olympic champion Nicolas Massu.

Both have previous coaching experience, with Lendl leading Murray to his three Grand Slam titles, while Massu helped Dominic Thiem to his only major victory at the 2020 US Open.

Despite their previous success, Hurkacz’s compatriot and former Wimbledon semi-finalist Jerzy Janowicz does not believe that Massu is a good appointment for the world number 22.

“Ivan Lendl, absolutely – I think it’s a good move,” Jankowicz told Sport.pl. “As for Nicolas Massu, I think it’s one of the worst ideas.”

He continued, “Looking at how he played, what technique and tactics he used, it doesn’t suit Hubert at all. He needs someone who will teach him to regularly reach for offensive tennis.

“And finally make this style comfortable for him, he won’t be afraid of it. Because what Hubert can’t do very well and doesn’t want to do is offensive play. And he needs it very much. He can do it. I don’t understand why it’s so hard for him to switch from this deep defense and counterattack play to a more offensive one.”

Massu is Hurkacz’s main coach who travels with him to tournaments, while Lendl is playing more of a consultancy role.

Could Jerzy Janowicz coach Hubert Hurkacz?

Janowicz, who retired from professional tennis in 2022, has recently been starting to play a different sport in padel.

The former world number 14 joked that he would be a better option to coach Hurkacz over Massu, and was then asked more seriously about whether he has considered turning to coaching.

“I would have to think about it. I don’t rule out that option,” said Janowicz. “I have a few decisions to make. I’ve already sacrificed a lot in my life for tennis and I don’t think I’d like to devote an entire year to it now.

“The role of a consultant? There are various ideas. I won’t declare anything now. As I said, I still have to think about some things.”

Hurkacz has had a mixed start to the 2025 season, winning only four of his seven matches and will look to change his fortune at Indian Wells, that begins on Wednesday March 5.