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Daniel Vallverdú

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Daniel Vallverdú
Daniel Vallverdú (left) in 2011
Country (sports) Venezuela
ResidenceLondon, United Kingdom
Born (1986-03-17) March 17, 1986 (age 38)
Valencia, Venezuela
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Turned pro2004
PlaysRight-handed (two-handed backhand)
CollegeUniversity of Miami
Singles
Career record2-5
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 727 (August 8, 2005)
Doubles
Career record4-2
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 746 (August 15, 2005)
Team competitions
Davis CupSFAm (2005)

Daniel Vallverdú (born March 17, 1986), also known as Dani Vallverdú,[1] is a Venezuelan tennis coach and a former professional player. Vallverdu is the Tournament Director of the Washington Mubadala Citi DC Open ATP and WTA 500 tournament. He is also the Co-Tournament Director of the 2024 Next Generation ATP Finals in Jeddah [2] and the Event Director for the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is currently coaching Grigor Dimitrov.

Vallverdu is also the Co-Founder of AD Global Sports, a company founded to promote the growth of sports in the UK and around the world. In November 2023, AD Global Sports, together with Andy Murray acquired the Padel Team AD/vantage part of the Hexagon Cup which took place in Madrid in February 2024.

Biography

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Vallverdú has formerly coached Andy Murray[3] (2010–2014), Tomáš Berdych (2014–2016), Juan Martín del Potro, Stan Wawrinka (2019–2022) and recently he is coaching Grigor Dimitrov (2016–2019, 2022–).[4] Vallverdu has also worked alongside Ivan Lendl, Andre Agassi, Magnus Norman and Jamie Delgado.

Vallverdú and Murray's partnership led to many tournament wins, including Murray's first Olympic Gold medal in 2012 (Vallverdú was head coach for the British Olympic tennis team), and two Grand Slam wins: the 2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon Championships.[3]

Under Vallverdú's guidance in May 2015, at the age of 29, Czech player Tomáš Berdych reached his highest career singles ranking of No. 4 in the ATP rankings.

He became the coach of Grigor Dimitrov[4] in July 2016. At the time the Bulgarian was No. 40 in the ATP rankings.[5] Vallverdú guided him to his first Masters 1000 title at the 2017 Cincinnati Masters,[6] followed by the ATP Finals title in November 2017,[5] resulting in Dimitrov's career high ranking of No. 3 by the end of 2017. In May 2019, Dimitrov and Vallverdú ended their working relationship.

Vallverdú joined Stan Wawrinka in July 2019 as his coach, together with Magnus Norman. Wawrinka ended 2019 back in the top 20 of the ATP rankings ranked 16 in the world. Magnus Norman and Stan Wawrinka parted ways in September 2020. Vallverdu and Wawrinka ended their working relationship in October 2022.

In December 2022 Vallverdu agreed to start coaching Grigor Dimitrov again.[7] By April 2024, Dimitrov joined again the Top 10 ATP rankings and finished the year Ranked 10.

ATP Player Council

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In June 2018, Vallverdú was voted by the body of ATP Coaches to act as the Coaches' representative in the ATP Player Council.[8] After electing to leave the Players Council for a short period of time, Vallverdu was re-elected by the body of ATP Coaches to serve as the Coaches' Representative in the newly formed ATP Player Council of 2021 which included Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.[9]

In 2023, Vallverdu was re-elected by the body of ATP Coaches to continue serving as the Coaches' Representative in the newly formed ATP Player Council of 2023.[10]

Tournament Director

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San Diego Open ATP 250

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In August 2021, after the cancellation of the Asia Swing, Vallverdu instigated the collaboration between the ATP and the San Diego Barnes Tennis Centre which was then allocated a one-year 250 tournament license to be held 27 September - 3 October 2021 as a lead up to the Indian Wells Masters which had been postponed to October due to Covid.[11][12][13]

Vallverdu took on the role of Managing Director and the tournament attracted players including Denis Shapovalov, Andrey Rublev, Kei Nishikori, Dimitrov and Murray. With 8 of the top 20 players attending and the ranking cut off being 42 to get in the main draw it was the 2nd most competitive ATP 250 all season since Doha. Billie Jean King[14] accepted the role of honorary tournament chair.[13]

In 2022, with the Asia swing still cancelled due to Covid, Vallverdu again instigated the collaboration between the ATP and the San Diego Barnes Tennis Centre which was then allocated a second one year 250 tournament license to be held post US Open 17-25 September Vallverdu again took on the position of Managing Director.[citation needed]

Washington D.C. Citi Open ATP 500

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In 2023, Vallverdu took on the role of Tournament Director of the Washington D.C. Mubadala Citi DC Open. [15]

Jeddah Next Generation ATP Finals

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In 2023, Vallerdu took on the role of Co-Tournament Director of the 2023 Next Generation ATP Finals to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.[16]

Coaching history

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Andy Murray

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Vallverdú met British tennis player Andy Murray in the Sánchez-Casal Barcelona Tennis Academy when he was 15, where they were both training to become professional tennis players. The two became friends.

In June 2008, Vallverdú became Murray's doubles partner for the 2008 Queen's Club Championships in London.

Vallverdú started working with Murray following his split with Miles Maclagan in 2010 and became Murray's de facto coach after he parted company with Alex Corretja in March. He coached Murray, organised practice sessions and served as liaison with Darren Cahill and Sven Groeneveld. "Quiet and unassuming, Vallverdú scouts opponents and helps devise tactical plans. Despite his relative youth, he is known for his professionalism and in-depth knowledge of the game."[17]

Vallverdú was also selected to be the head coach of the British men's tennis team for the London Olympics 2012, in which Murray won the Gold medal.[18]

With Andy Murray, Vallverdú worked alongside Ivan Lendl,[19] who joined Murray's team in 2012.[20]

Other memorable highlights of his coaching work with Murray and Lendl included when Murray won two Grand Slam titles, the US Open in 2012 and Wimbledon 2013.[3][21] Following a mutual split with Murray in November 2014, Vallverdú took on the head coaching job for Tomáš Berdych.

Tomáš Berdych

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Vallverdu started working with Tomáš Berdych following the mutual split from Andy Murray in November 2014.

At the time Tomáš Berdych was ranked World No. 7.

It was an immediate success as Tomáš Berdych reached his second Australian Open semifinal after beating Rafael Nadal, but then losing to Andy Murray in a tense match 6-7 (6-8) 6-0 6-3 7–5.

Under Vallverdú's guidance in May 2015, at the age of 29, Berdych reached his highest career singles ranking of No. 4 in the ATP rankings and entered Roland Garros as the fourth seed.

On 16 May 2016, Berdych and Vallverdú parted their ways.

Grigor Dimitrov

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He became the coach of Grigor Dimitrov in July 2016.[4] At the time the Bulgarian was No. 40 in the ATP rankings.[5] Vallverdú guided him to his first Masters 1000 Win, as he beat Nick Kyrgios in the final of the 2017 Cincinnati Masters. This success was followed by the ATP Finals title for Dimitrov in November 2017, resulting in a career high ranking of No. 3 by the end of 2017. On 7 May 2019, after three years, Dimitrov and Vallverdú ended their working relationship.[22]

In October 2022 after parting ways with Wawrinka, Vallverdu agreed to coach Dimitrov again till the end of the 2022 season which ended in November 2022.[23] On 1 December 2022, it was confirmed he will continue to coach Dimitrov in 2023.[24]

Dimitrov under Vallverdu’s guidance made his first ATP Final since the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament Rotterdam 2018 at the 2023 Gonet Geneva Open.[25]

At the 2023 US Open Dimitrov beat Andy Murray in straight sets to advance to the third round during the second-round match. Dimitrov had both of his coaches Vallverdu and Jamie Delgado - two of Murray’s former coaches, in his coaching Box.[26]

After a solid run of form in the China circuit, making the semifinals of the Chengdu Open and the quarterfinals of the Beijing Open at the 2023 Rolex Shanghai Masters, Dimitrov beat Carlos Alcaraz (ranked No. 2 in the world) in the last 16 to reach the quarterfinals against Nicolas Jarry.[27] Dimitrov beat Jarry to make it to the semifinals.[28]

At the 2023 Rolex Paris Masters with his 94-minute triumph over Hubert Hurkacz, Dimitrov reached 40 tour-level wins in a season for the first time since 2017, which is also the year he last lifted an ATP Tour crown at the Nitto ATP Finals with Vallverdu.[29] Dimitrov advanced to his second ATP Masters 1000 final and first since 2017 when he clawed past Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-7(1), 7-6(3) at the Rolex Paris Masters.[30]

Dimitrov lifted his first title in Brisbane 2024 since he won his last title with Vallverdu at the ATP Finals in 2017. [31] After beating Andy Murray in the first-round match up, Dimitrov did not lose another set the whole tournament beating Rune 7-5 6-4 in the Brisbane Final.

By April 01, 2024, Dimitrov rejoined again the Top 10 ATP rankings and went on to finish the year Ranked 10.

Stan Wawrinka

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After parting ways with Grigor Dimitrov, Vallverdú joined Stan Wawrinka's coaching team before the start of the 2019 grass court season.

Following the departure of Magnus Norman in September 2020 Vallverdu became the de facto head coach.

Vallverdu and Wawrinka ended their working relationship in October 2022.[32]

AD Global Sports

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In 2023, Vallverdu co-founded the company AD Global Sports with Arran Yentob to support the development of sports in the UK and globally.

In November AD Global Sports partnered with Andy Murray to acquire the Padel team AD/vantage - one of six teams in the Hexagon Cup which took place in Madrid in February 2024.[33]

Philanthropy

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COVID-19—Coaches & Players Fan Experiences

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vallverdú in collaboration with the ATP launched the coaches and players fan experience initiative to help raise funds for tennis coaches most affected during the pandemic.[34] The first round of bidding raised over 90,000 USD.

In July 2020, The second round was launched and gave fans the chance to bid on more exclusive fan experiences [35] which included hitting with players Murray, Wawrinka,[36] Lopez and Dimitrov.[37]

The highest individual bid was made for two Wimbledon Final tickets and the chance to hit with Grand Slam Champion Murray and reached close to 52,000 USD. The bid to hit with the Swiss Grand Slam Champion Wawrinka went for 27,000 US Dollars.

In total, the initiative launched by Vallverdú raised 218,000 US Dollars.

HIA - High Impact Athletes

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In 2020, Vallverdu became an ambassador for the charity organization HIA Athletes. He is quoted saying “My family and I are passionate about the environment and helping the planet. Having coached some of the greatest tennis players in the world I understand how important optimization is. High Impact Athletes helps me optimize my giving by providing easy access to the most effective, impactful charities in the world.” [38]

Tour career

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Doubles

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In June 2008, he became British tennis player Andy Murray's doubles partner for the 2008 Queen's Club Championships in London.

Davis Cup

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Vallverdú has played for Venezuela in eight matches over six ties, including a semifinal appearance in Group I of the Americas Zone in 2005.

Educational background

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Sánchez-Casal Barcelona Tennis Academy

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Vallverdú attended the Sánchez-Casal Barcelona Tennis Academy when he was 15, where he met Andy Murray.

University of Miami

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Vallverdú graduated from the University of Miami in 2009 with a BA in International Marketing and Finance.[39]

During his time at the University of Miami, Vallverdú was captain of the university tennis team.

He received five all-American honors, was no. 3 in the nation in singles and no. 1 in the nation in doubles with teammate Carl Mikael Sundberg.

References

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  1. ^ https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/stan-wawrinka-adds-coach-dani-vallverdu-to-team-for-grass-court-season
  2. ^ "Dani Vallverdu, directeur du Masters Next Gen : « Créer une culture tennis prend du temps »". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  3. ^ a b c Harman, Neil. "Joy of Dani Vallverdu who became Andy Murray's closest confidant".
  4. ^ a b c "Dani Vallverdu Explains Why He Opted to Coach Grigor Dimitrov Instead of del Potro". 18 August 2016.
  5. ^ a b c "Hear Him Roar, Nitto ATP Finals Title Belongs to Grigor Dimitrov! | ATP Tour | Tennis".
  6. ^ "Formerly Baby Fed, Grigor Dimitrov won Cincy with an all-grown-up game".
  7. ^ "Отново заедно за постоянно: Григор ще работи с Валверду и през новия сезон - Tennis.bg". tennis.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  8. ^ "New ATP Player Council Elected in London | ATP Tour | Tennis".
  9. ^ "ATP Announces 2021-2022 Player Council".
  10. ^ "ATP Player Advisory Council Meets In Melbourne | ATP Tour | Tennis". ATP Tour. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  11. ^ Clarey, Christopher (4 October 2021). "Pro Tennis Finds New Cities to Play in, but Will It Return?". The New York Times.
  12. ^ "Given a unique chance to host the pros, San Diego charged up to host "one of the toughest 250s"". 28 September 2021.
  13. ^ a b Ganguly, Sudipto (2021-09-17). "San Diego auditions for permanent spot on calendar with strong field". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
  14. ^ "Billie Jean King Named Honorary Tournament Chairperson for San Diego Open ATP 250 Tournament". 20 September 2021.
  15. ^ "Mubadala Citi DC Open: Draws, Dates, History & All You Need To Know | ATP Tour | Tennis". ATP Tour. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  16. ^ "Dani Vallverdu, directeur du Masters Next Gen : « Créer une culture tennis prend du temps »". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  17. ^ "Wimbledon 2011: The men who make Murray tick". BBC Sport. 30 June 2011.
  18. ^ "Box Shots: Team Murray Cheers Andy to Olympic Final | the Slice". Archived from the original on 2012-10-16. Retrieved 2013-01-18.
  19. ^ "Dani Vallverdu Photos Photos: 2012 French Open - Day Nine".
  20. ^ Hodgkinson, Mark (24 March 2011). "Andy Murray hoping old pals' act with new coach Dani Vallverdu will rekindle his form".
  21. ^ "'An amazing day for Britain' - How Murray ended a 77-year wait". BBC. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
  22. ^ Dimitrov, Grigor (2019-05-07). "pic.twitter.com/FKzimMLkzg". @GrigorDimitrov. Retrieved 2019-05-07.
  23. ^ "Dimitrov will work with Valverdu till the end of the 2022 season". 18 October 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  24. ^ "Dimitrov will work with Valverdu also in the 2023 season". 1 December 2022.
  25. ^ "Nicolas Jarry Wins Geneva Title, Defeats Grigor Dimitrov | ATP Tour | Tennis". ATP Tour. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  26. ^ Amako, Uche (2023-08-31). "Andy Murray beaten at the US Open by classy Grigor Dimitrov". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  27. ^ "Alcaraz beaten by Dimitrov at Shanghai Masters". BBC Sport. 2023-10-11. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  28. ^ "Dimitrov beats Jarry to reach Shanghai semifinals". BBC Sport. 2023-10-13. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  29. ^ "Grigor Dimitrov Beats Hubert Hurkacz In Paris | ATP Tour | Tennis". ATP Tour. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  30. ^ "Grigor Dimitrov Defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas In Paris | ATP Tour | Tennis". ATP Tour. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  31. ^ "His parents left early, but Grigor Dimitrov stayed to finish the job in Brisbane final | ATP Tour | Tennis". ATP Tour. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  32. ^ Tennis.com. "Stan Wawrinka reunites with Magnus Norman, who helped him to three Grand Slam titles". Tennis.com. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  33. ^ Love, Tom (2023-11-17). "MURRAY TRIES HIS HAND AT TEAM OWNERSHIP". Sport Industry Group. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  34. ^ "ATP Coaches Launch Fan Experience". ATP Tour. ATP Tour, Inc. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  35. ^ "Murray Wimbledon Lesson, 'Big 4' Racquet Draw Top New Fan Experience Prizes". ATP Tour. ATP Tour, Inc. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  36. ^ "Corona-Hilfsauktion – Wawrinka versteigert sich für arbeitslose Coaches".
  37. ^ "Andy Murray happy to support Daniel Vallverdu's efforts to raise funds for coaches".
  38. ^ "Athletes".
  39. ^ "Wimbledon 2011: The men who make Murray tick". BBC Sport. 30 June 2011.
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