That scant handful of weeks masquerading as the tennis off-season has officially begun for many players, and for those who are done playing competitive tennis in 2015, it is time to grab a precious bit of rest and start thinking ahead to 2016.  One of the more popular things players typically do during this period is make any changes that they deem necessary to their team so as to have everyone comfortably in place come January.  That is something Simona Halep has wasted no time in doing as the Romanian just announced that Darren Cahill will be her official full-time coach next season.

Halep has been through her share of coaches of late.  In fact, this is the third consecutive year that the Romanian has started the season with a different coach in her box.  Despite her recent track record with coaches, there is ample reason to believe that Halep's new partnership with Cahill could be a successful one with some staying power, starting with the fact that they already know each other fairly well.  Thanks to the coaching program of Adidas, Halep had the opportunity to test the waters with Cahill on multiple occasions throughout the course of 2015.  As a result, there are apt to be few surprises between the pair, and rather than having to go through the full rigors of a feeling-out process, they can hit the ground running as they prepare for next season.

In addition to Halep and Cahill having already worked together, Cahill's previous coaching experience also bodes well for his partnership with the current No. 2.  Those familiar with tennis history will remember that the Australian has coached some impressive talents in the past, including Andre Agassi and Lleyton Hewitt.  The success he enjoyed with Hewitt in particular could prove pivotal in how he coaches Halep.  Like the former men's No. 1, Halep is a player who has to rely more heavily on her foot speed, consistency, and shot placement than some of her more powerful rivals.  As he did with Hewitt, Cahill will undoubtedly look to maximize Halep's strengths in these areas as well as help her to develop a more effective all-around game to reach her full potential.  Furthermore, Cahill's current position as a tennis analyst for ESPN – a position that he will continue to maintain while coaching Halep – has afforded him the chance to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of many of Halep's potential opponents, which puts him in an ideal position to develop winning strategies for his charge.

Cahill's past as a full-time coach and current occupation as a tennis analyst are not the only positions the Australian has held that make him a valuable asset to Halep's team, however.  Cahill is a former professional player himself.  Thus, he is familiar with the peaks and valleys players go through and finding the best means of bouncing back from tough losses.  He knows what it is to compete in brutal conditions or face the pressure of the big points and how to most effectively manage those types of situations.  Equally important, he understands that at times the tour can be a grind, and it is challenging to keep things fresh.  After a tiring 2015 that for the first time saw Halep consistently face high expectations and struggle to manage her schedule, someone like Cahill who has been there as both a player and coach could be just what the doctor ordered.

Suffice it to say that Halep's decision to hire Cahill as her full-time coach was a smart move.  Only time will tell how truly successful this pair will be, but Halep, Cahill, and their respective fan bases should be smiling with the anticipation of the potential success this promising partnership may bring in the near future.