Carlos Rodríguez (tennis coach)
Quick Facts
Biography
Carlos Rodríguez is an Argentinian tennis coach most notable for his longtime tenure with former World No. 1 Justine Henin. As of 2011, the pair had been together for 15 years, but a portion of that span includes Henin's brief retirement from the pro circuit. Upon Henin's comeback, she insisted that she could not have any other coach than Rodriguez. Rodriguez obliged. He has since commented that her aspiration to return to the highest echelon of the women's game – and rankings, as she retired while holding the No. 1 ranking – has as much to do with factors off the court, that is, mental preparedness and her private life, as it does with her physical fitness or shot-making abilities.
Before Rodríguez became Henin's coach, he coached Belgian tennis player Dominique Monami from 1994 to 1996.
In July 2012, Rodríguez was hired by former French Open champion Li Na on a trial basis. After becoming Li's full-time coach, he was credited for her late career surge during which she ascended to world No. 2 and won her second Major title at the 2014 Australian Open. In July 2014, Rodríguez and Li parted ways. Rodríguez resided in Beijing and runs a tennis academy there with Henin. In December 2014, he started coaching Daniela Hantuchová.