Some players thrive under the guidance of a coach. Others? Well, they toss that advice in the trash like a broken racquet.
Tennis is a mental game, and some stars just aren’t wired to be told what to do—even by legends. Whether it was clashing with coaches, going rogue mid-match, or thinking they knew better, these 16 players made it clear: they were going to do things their way.
16. Ernests Gulbis
Gulbis had all the talent in the world and none of the patience for coaching. He bounced between mentors like he changed shirts, always insisting he knew what was best.
15. Jelena Ostapenko
Ostapenko plays with fire and listens to no one but herself. Coaches came and went, but her game has always been a one-woman show.
14. Nick Kyrgios
Kyrgios has famously gone without a coach for most of his career. He’s said more than once that he doesn’t need one—and watching him, you kind of believe him.
13. Anna Kournikova
Kournikova had the charisma, but didn’t mesh well with coaching structures. Her flashy style never quite matched up with disciplined game plans.
12. Marat Safin
Safin was raw emotion and ridiculous talent rolled into one. Coaches often found themselves trying to contain a storm that didn’t want to be contained.
11. Aryna Sabalenka
Known for her power and passion, Sabalenka hasn’t always embraced outside input. When things go wrong, she tends to look inward—or at her racquet.
10. Fabio Fognini
Fognini’s fiery temper made coaching him a high-risk job. He was more likely to argue with a coach than absorb their advice.
9. Naomi Osaka
Osaka made headlines with coaching changes that raised eyebrows. She’s always been introspective and often prefers to chart her course.
8. Goran Ivanišević
Goran did things his way, for better or worse. His unpredictability extended off the court, where coaches often had to hang on for the ride.
7. Victoria Azarenka
Azarenka has had a rocky relationship with coaching throughout her career. She’s not shy about speaking her mind, and that hasn’t always meshed with a coaching box.
6. Bernard Tomic
Tomic openly said he didn’t care about tennis at times, making coaching him a borderline impossible task. His stubbornness was his defining trait.
5. Jelena Dokic
Dokic’s coaching journey was a turbulent one, especially with a controlling parent in the mix. As she moved forward, trusting any coach became a serious challenge.
4. Daniil Medvedev
Medvedev might be brilliant, but he’s also headstrong. His ability to tune out advice mid-match is practically an art form.
3. Andre Agassi
Agassi had to grow into being coachable—early on, he wanted no part of it. He famously rebelled against structure before later embracing it on his terms.
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2. Serena Williams
Serena could work with coaches, but she ultimately trusted herself above all. Even when being coached mid-match, she stuck to her instincts.
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1. John McEnroe
The king of on-court rebellion, McEnroe wasn’t listening to anyone but himself. Trying to coach him was like trying to referee a hurricane.
