Pepo Clavet: Tennis Courts Are Like Chessboards
Veteran coach Pepo Clavet discusses his successful partnership with Alejandro Davidovich this season.
1Strategic Coaching Philosophy
Pepo Clavet, a 61-year-old veteran coach, has revitalized Alejandro Davidovich’s career this season. Since joining forces during the European grass-court swing, the pair secured three titles, including victories in Mallorca, Chengdu, and Shanghai. Clavet emphasizes that his primary role involves building confidence and fostering a cohesive team environment for his player.
2Decades of Experience
Clavet began his coaching journey in 1991 alongside his brother Pato, marking 35 years in the sport. Throughout his extensive career, he has mentored numerous high-profile players, including Alex Corretja, Fernando Verdasco, and Karen Khachanov. He notes that he never formally tracked his total title count, focusing instead on the development process.
3The Chess Analogy
Clavet frequently uses chess to teach tactical patience and situational awareness on the court. He views the tennis court as a chessboard where players must analyze the opponent's moves in real-time. Both Clavet and Davidovich share a passion for the game, which helps them maintain focus during high-speed, intense professional matches.
4Davidovich's Versatile Talent
Clavet describes Davidovich as having an exceptionally wide menu of shots and physical capabilities. While he avoids labeling him the most talented player he has ever coached, he confirms he is among the top tier. The coach focuses on maximizing this versatility while ensuring the player maintains his physical health throughout the season.
5Mental Resilience Training
A significant portion of their training focuses on mental toughness rather than just technical adjustments. Clavet highlights Davidovich’s recent ability to fight back from set deficits against top-tier opponents like Zverev and Hurkacz. He believes this newfound competitive spirit is a major evolution from earlier, more inconsistent phases of the player's career.
6Managing Team Dynamics
Modern tennis teams often require two coaches to manage the grueling travel schedule. Clavet coordinates closely with his brother Pato to ensure they provide a unified message to Davidovich. This alignment prevents confusion for the player and ensures that the team maintains a consistent tactical approach regardless of which coach is present.
7Ambitions for Grand Slams
Clavet believes Davidovich has the potential to win a Grand Slam title, noting that the current era is more open than the dominance of Federer, Djokovic, and Nadal. While acknowledging the pressure of the top ten, he views it as a positive challenge compared to the struggles of players ranked outside the top 200.
8Davis Cup Aspirations
Looking ahead, Clavet expresses deep enthusiasm for Davidovich’s involvement in the Davis Cup. He considers the Spanish team one of the primary favorites to win the tournament. For Clavet, representing the country in a team format remains a pinnacle of professional achievement and a major goal for his current pupil’s development.
Original article: Marca — Pepo Clavet: Tennis Courts Are Like Chessboards