The ATP and WTA may be on their annual hiatus, but that does not mean that there has been a shortage of headlines over the course of this offseason.  There have been plenty of intriguing topics but none arguably hotter than the coaching carousel both tours are experiencing at the moment.  One of the more interesting player-coach pairings became known earlier this week when Agnieszka Radwanska announced that Martina Navratilova would be joining her team alongside present coach Tomasz Wiktorowski.  It is far too soon to tell if this is a match made in heaven, but it is definitely one that has potential.

Navratilova enters this new partnership bringing plenty to the table.  With 18 major singles crowns and numerous others in doubles, the Czech Hall of Famer stands out as one of the greatest ever among fellow tennis royalty.  She also has prior coaching experience.  It was Navratilova who played an instrumental part in helping Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova break out as a professional and discover the championship form that took her to her first major singles title at the 2004 US Open.  Radwanska will surely be hoping that Navratilova can again use her vast experience as a former professional and lead her to a similar type of success.

One of the attributes that Navratilova is apt to try and pass along to Radwanska is the ability to impose her game on the opposition.  In this so-called era of “Big Babe Tennis,” Radwanska is unlikely to be able to do that to the same extent as Navratilova did in her prime, simply because she will never possess the same kind of firepower as a Serena Williams or a Maria Sharapova.  That said, Navratilova can still teach her to be more aggressive and show more initiative in the rallies.  Radwanska already has great touch and feel, as well as exceptional anticipation.  With those gifts, Navratilova could certainly suggest strategies that would help her avoid getting pushed back behind the baseline with such frequency.  Additionally, Navratilova was particularly known for her volleys.  With her great hands, there is no reason why Radwanska could not be just as effective in the forecourt, provided she is able to find a way to get there on a more consistent basis.

As valuable as these adjustments Navratilova could possibly make to Radwanska’s physical game could be, however, they mean nothing if the Pole lacks the necessary poise to execute them.  Like Ivan Lendl with Andy Murray, Radwanska needs Navratilova to teach her how to manage the pressure and handle the big moments.  The former world No. 2 has struggled against lesser opposition during the last 12 months, and she has especially had trouble at majors where she suddenly finds herself one of the favorites, such as at Wimbledon in 2013 and the Australian Open this year.  Radwanska is a player who needs some help from the draw, so on those occasions where the big hitters fall early, she needs to be ready to take advantage of her opportunities.  Having someone in her corner like Navratilova, who knows what it takes to mentally get over the hurdle and win a major, could be the final piece of the puzzle that she needs to break through at the highest level.

As with all coaching relationships, time is needed before judgment can be passed as to whether or not this relationship will be successful.  Suffice it to say that with their shared no-nonsense approach to game and equally hard work ethic, this duo has more than a little potential.  It should be interesting to see what transpires when the 2015 season gets underway, and with any luck, this is a partnership that will see Radwanska right in the thick of it competing for the biggest prizes in the sport.