Depending on what kind of Dinara fan you are, this is either great news or a tragedy. Via tennis.com:
Dinara Safina has parted ways with coach Zeljko Krajan, reports Russia’s Sport Express. The paper said that Safina, who has repeatedly credited Krajan for her sudden mid-career rise to No. 1, is working with Gaston Etlis during the French Open.
I’m a little surprised. I’ve long been in the “dump Zeljko” camp, because I thought the two of them fell into some co-dependent coaching habits. But it was just that co-dependency that made me think they’d stick together forever. According to a google translate of the original article, Dinara “has decided to take a pause” from her relationship with Krajan. So maybe it’s just “a break” and not a “break up.” Honestly, at this point, coaching is a secondary concern to Dinara’s physical struggles.
The new guy, Gaston Etlis, is a 35 year old former pro from Argentina. He reached a career high of 17 in doubles, winning four titles, and topped the singles rankings at 114. He’s also coached recently-retired pro and countryman, Guillermo Canas.
Dinara, a two time runner up in Paris, plays Kimiko Date Krumm in her first round match on Tuesday.
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