World No. 42 Marie Bouzkova has made a robust addition to her group for the 2026 season after hiring Rafael Nadal's former coach Marc Lopez.
Lopez, who gained the 2016 Rio de Janeiro gold medal with Nadal in males's doubles, joined the Spanish tennis icon's group in 2021 after retiring from professional tennis. The previous doubles world No. 3 labored with Nadal till the previous 22-time Grand Slam champion's retirement in 2024.
After Nadal retired, Lopez had a brief stint with Jasmine Paolini. They labored between April and July.
Now, forward of the brand new season, Lopez has a brand new job and can work with Bouzkova, who posted a 31-21 file this 12 months and gained the Prague title. Total, Bouzkova has gained two titles on the primary degree to date in her profession, and her career-high rating noticed her sit at No. 24 on this planet.
On the Grand Slam stage, the 27-year-old Czech has had just one robust run – she made the 2022 Wimbledon quarterfinal.
Can Lopez have extra success with Bouzkova?
When Paolini employed Lopez, she was ecstatic about working with one among Nadal's former coaches. However after selecting up early Grand Slam exits on the French Open and Wimbledon, the world No. 8 determined to separate with the Spanish coach.
"We had some nice outcomes collectively. Particularly in Rome and Paris. I admire all of the onerous work and vitality Marc gave day by day. Now that this a part of the season is over, I've determined to make a change. I've realized rather a lot and made good progress. And now I'm taking the time to replicate on what the subsequent step shall be. Thanks once more, Marc, for all the pieces," Paolini wrote on Instagram when saying Lopez's departure.
It stays to be seen if Lopez will help Bouzkova elevate her recreation to a brand new degree and presumably break into the top-20 – and even additional – in 2025.
