Former hitting partner of Serena Williams and ex-coach of Naomi Osaka, Sascha Bajin, recently engaged in a thought-provoking Twitter exchange with tennis legend Andy Roddick. Through a series of tweets, Bajin, who was a WTA Coach of the Year award winner in 2018, opened up about his personal journey and the profound impact Serena had on his career.

Bajin is also known for coaching Naomi Osaka to two Grand Slam titles, one at the 2018 US Open and one at the 2019 Australian Open. However, shortly after Osaka’s Australian Open triumph, the pair decided to part ways, marking the end of their successful coaching relationship.

A profound shift: From undisciplined player to inspired coach

The conversation began when Andy Roddick tweeted, expressing his astonishment at coaches who hadn’t worked hard during their playing days. He stated, “I’m always amazed at the frequency of seeing people who didn’t work that hard in their playing days becoming coaches. Seems like effort is the one thing that would be a prerequisite for coaching… Would be hard to hire someone who had a reputation as kinda lazy.”

Bajin, known for his humility, responded candidly, “For me, it was so hard to be disciplined towards myself, and I wasn’t that competitive as a player. That’s why I never achieved anything. It’s easier to say no to a party knowing I don’t want to disappoint my player with a bad warm-up, rather than warming up for my own match.”

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These sincere words from Bajin shed light on his personal struggles and the critical self-reflection that ultimately propelled him forward.

The Serena Williams effect: A game-changing opportunity

Bajin’s fortunes took a remarkable turn when he had the opportunity to work closely with Serena Williams, one of the greatest tennis players of all time. In response to Roddick’s comment about his undisciplined past, Bajin credited Serena for helping him get his “sh*t together” and understanding the true meaning of hard work.

Andy Roddick, intrigued by Bajin’s response, continued the conversation, sharing his surprise at the transformation Bajin had undergone. “Very interesting. Based on kinda only seeing you in a coaching capacity, I would’ve never imagined you being undisciplined,” Roddick tweeted.

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Bajin’s reply revealed the profound influence Serena Williams had on him, both as a player and as a person. “You’re too kind, Andy, but yeah. My father was really strict, and after his death, I kinda went ‘kuku.’ But then I had the chance to work with Serena and got my shit together as I realized that’s a massive opportunity and learned from the best about what it means to really put in work!”

The influence of Serena’s work ethic and dedication motivated Bajin to make significant changes in his approach to the game. He recognized that his commitment to his player, and the responsibility he felt toward her success, became a driving force in his own transformation.

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