Milos Raonic is set to appoint Richard Krajicek, the 1996 Wimbledon champion, as his new coach.
Raonic has lined up Krajicek to replace Spaniard Carlos Moyá, who parted company with the world No 3 last month. The pair will meet this week to finalise arrangements for the season.
Raonic had previously approached Krajicek, the former world No 4, to help him out during the grass-court season this year but terms could not be agreed. Raonic then turned to John McEnroe, who helped him to reach finals at Wimbledon and Queen’s Club.
Krajicek, the 45-year-old Dutchman who is also the tournament director of the Rotterdam ATP 500 event in February, ended up working with Stan Wawrinka in the summer, but the partnership did not last long with the Swiss winning just one match on grass.
Raonic’s playing style is reminiscent of Krajicek’s with his big serve and eagerness to come in to the net and volley. They are both 6ft 5in.
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After reaching the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals in London last month and finishing the season at a career-high ranking, Raonic, 25, is now preparing in Monte Carlo for the 2017 season and will continue to work with Italian coach Riccardo Piatti.
The former world No 1 Moyá, meanwhile, has been announced as a new member of Rafael Nadal’s coaching team. The 40-year-old will work alongside existing coaches Toni Nadal and Francisco Roig, and will also take on a role as technical adviser at Nadal’s new academy in his home town of Manacor.
As Majorca natives, they have known each other for many years, with Moyá often hitting with Nadal during the latter’s teenage years.
“To have someone like Carlos, who is not only a friend but also a very important person in my career, is something special,” said Nadal. “He will be next to me in my practice and competition.”