Coach of Month
ATP Coach Highlight: Craig Boynton
American coach prides himself on growing a participant each on and off the court docket
September 16, 2024
ATP
Craig Boynton has been teaching professionally since 1993.
By ATP Workers
Returning to the London condo he was sharing with coach Craig Boynton after lastly closing out his epic 11-hour Wimbledon victory over Nicolas Mahut in 2010, John Isner was feeling good about life.
“I truly felt okay bodily, not understanding I used to be going to really feel terrible the following day,” Isner recounted to ATPTour.com this week. “So I instructed CB, ‘I really feel like one million {dollars}’.”
“Yeah, in quarters,” Boynton quipped again, understanding full nicely that the 70-68 fifth-set victory would take a toll.
“And he was proper. I did really feel like one million {dollars} in quarters the following day, simply terrible,” Isner laughed. “He’s so witty; he is among the wittiest guys I do know. He all the time has a fast quip to come back again at you with. Ask anybody, the man is hilarious.”
Boynton, probably the most revered voices within the recreation who can also be recognized for his Santa Claus beard and congenial character, is the topic of ATPTour.com’s ATP Coach Highlight this month.
Boynton’s life has been intertwined with tennis since his collegiate days at Clemson College. After a short skilled enjoying profession, Boynton discovered his true
calling in teaching — a path he’s been on for greater than 30 years — whereas working with among the greatest names within the sport.
Boynton has constructed a embellished profession, mentoring gamers reminiscent of Jim Courier, Mardy Fish, and Isner.
Most just lately, the American coach spent five-and-a-half years working with Hubert Hurkacz earlier than the 2 amicably parted methods just a few weeks in the past.
“It’s been a labour of affection — if that, not even a labour. It’s simply been lots of pleasure, attending to know these nice individuals and serving to these nice gamers,” Boynton mirrored of his teaching journey.
Boynton’s first actual teaching break got here in 1993, when he began working with Courier.
“With Jim, I used to be the touring coach, and he introduced a complete totally different stage to the Tour,” Boynton stated of working with the previous World No. 1.
Boynton was significantly impressed by the American’s health and drive.
“I can keep in mind Jim saying on the time: ‘Anyone can win a five-set match,’” Boynton stated. “I’m the one one that may win the identical five-set match tomorrow. I used to be in a position to see that firsthand, and he was an incredible competitor, an incredible employee.”
After just a few years teaching Courier, Boynton moved to Tampa Bay, Florida, in 2007 to move the tennis programme at Saddlebrook Tennis Academy.
At Saddlebrook, Boynton crossed paths with Isner, a 22-year-old American simply starting to make a reputation for himself. By March 2009, Isner sought out assist from Boynton, who eagerly accepted.
“I had the luxurious of understanding John for about two years earlier than we began working collectively,” Boynton stated. “I used to be in a position to watch him, see his recreation develop. I knew him, and we bought alongside nicely. It was actually enjoyable watching him impose his presence and are available into his personal in 2009 and 2010.”
Isner was nicely exterior the High 100 when the 2 started.
By the tip of the 12 months, he had surged greater than 100 spots within the PIF ATP Rankings and made his first Spherical of 16 look on the US Open.
“He can adapt with the participant for positive,” Isner stated of Boynton’s teaching. “He was so instrumental in my success, getting me from exterior the High 100 to the High 20, the place I by no means left for a very long time. I began working with CB and made my soar to the highest tier of the sport.”
Boynton’s jovial angle and holistic teaching method, which balances who the participant is each on and off the court docket, was helpful for Isner.
“For me specifically, he would know when to push me and when to reduce,” stated Isner, who in his post-career actions co-hosts the Nothing Main podcast with Steve Johnson, Sam Querrey and Jack Sock. “He knew me, he listened to me. His work ethic is unbelievable, and he loves being on the court docket and all the time makes follow enjoyable.”
Underneath Boynton’s three-year tenure, Isner reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final, made an ATP Masters 1000 ultimate, and cracked the High 10 for the primary time in his profession.
After his time with Isner, Boynton took on a task as a USTA Participant Improvement coach, working with gamers like Donald Younger and Sock.
Then, in 2019, Boynton started teaching Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.
When the 2 started working collectively, Hurkacz was simply contained in the High 100. Underneath Boynton’s steering, he reached his first Grand Slam semi-final, gained two ATP Masters 1000 titles, and in August of this 12 months, hit a career-high World No. 6.
“Hubi and I had 5 and a half nice years. It was a beautiful experience,” Boynton stated. “I perceive these skilled relationships will come to an finish, however I’m happy with how shut I nonetheless am with the gamers I’ve coached.
“I feel one factor I’ll take away from my time with Hubi is how significant it was to work with a European participant for 5 and a half years as an American coach. That doesn’t occur usually, and I’m happy with each the connection we constructed and the success we had collectively.”
Hurkacz shared the identical sentiment as his former coach.
“One-of-a-kind experience! Grateful for all now we have achieved as a crew! Thanks, CB,” Hurkacz wrote on his Instagram story with a candid photograph of the 2 sharing smiles on the court docket.
Boynton continues to like teaching and takes pleasure in understanding he’s making a optimistic impression on his gamers each on and off the court docket.
Whereas he doesn’t envision himself stepping away from teaching, he’s wanting ahead to spending extra time with household and travelling to the locations he hasn’t already lined as a part of his teaching journey.