Soderling to split with coach? - CONFIRMED!

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World number five Robin Soderling has split from his coach Magnus Norman.

When the 25-year-old Swede started working with compatriot Norman - a former world number two - just over two years ago he was 35th in the world.

A statement on Soderling's website said Norman "wants to put more focus on his personal life and new projects".

"I've had the two best years of my career so far with Magnus as a coach," said Soderling, who will name a successor in the coming days.

Norman added: "I look back on a fun and fantastic 26-month-long period of time together with Robin.

"I want to thank Robin for the faith he has had in me to take care of his career, a responsibility I have tried to manage in the best way possible."

Soderling was as high as fourth in the rankings only last week, before slipping back to fifth behind Andy Murray after the ATP World Tour Finals.

The Swede is the only man to have beaten world number one Rafael Nadal at the French Open after Soderling defeated the Spaniard in the fourth round in 2009 when he went on to reach the final before losing to Roger Federer.

This year Soderling beat the Swiss in this year's quarter-finals in Paris but lose to Nadal in the French Open final.

Courtesy: BBC

Soderling to split with coach?

World No. 4 Robin Soderling has split with coach Magnus Norman, according to unconfirmed reports from Sweden.

Soderling was eliminated from the World Tour Finals after losing two of his three Group A matches in London and will enter the off season in search of a new trainer.

According to Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet, Norman is no longer interested in touring and will focus his energies on a new international tennis academy that will be established in Sweden next year.

The highly successful relationship between Soderling and Norman began in November 2008 after the player split with long-term mentor Peter Carlsson.

Soderling was ranked No. 17 at the time but progressed rapidly under Norman and cracked the top 10 after Roland Garros in 2009, where he beat Rafael Nadal on his way to a final defeat against Roger Federer.

It was a major breakthrough for a player who before then had never been beyond the third round of a Grand Slam event and Soderling has since established himself as one of the elite players in the game.

Despite their success together, the personal relationship between Norman and Soderling was always tense and that has reportedly contributed to the break-up.

Candidates to replace Norman include fellow Swedes Thomas Hogstedt, who currently works with Tommy Haas, and Fredrik Rosengren, the man who helped Mario Ancic reach the top 10 in 2006.

Another contender is former World No 4 Thomas Enqvist, who knows Soderling well from his current role as Swedish Davis Cup captain.

However, given that Soderling speaks fluent English and resides in Monte Carlo for tax reasons, Norman's replacement will not necessarily be another Swede.

With few points to defend early in 2011 due to his first round exit in the Australian Open this year, Soderling could potentially crack the world’s top two in the coming months and will therefore need to have the right man in place as quickly as possible.

Courtesy: Bleacher Report

Art of Tennis auction

The auction has just started and first under the hammer is Robin Soderling's piece.

You can bid here

Soderling makes it to London

Robin has become the 5th place to book his place and get the chance to don the white overalls and play with the paint :)

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Robin Soderling has qualified for the 2010 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Soderling, who reached the semi-finals of the season finale in London last year, becomes the fifth singles player to qualify for this year’s event - to be played at The O2 21-28 November. The Swede joins a blockbuster line-up comprised of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

Soderling, who fell in the quarter-finals of this week's If Stockholm Open, is guaranteed to finish among the world's top eight following today's release of draws at next week's ATP World Tour 250 tournaments in Vienna, St. Petersburg and Montpellier. 

“I’ve always dreamed about playing at the World Tour Finals. I had some really good memories from last year. Hopefully I can take that experience and do even better this time. There are only eight players and you play against the world’s best so every match you play could be like a Grand Slam final. I will have to be ready from the first match,” said Soderling.

The Swede has enjoyed the best season of his career to date, capturing the ATP World Tour 500 event in Rotterdam, as well as reaching the final at Roland Garros for a second consecutive year. He also reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and the US Open and currently lies at a career high No.5 in the South African Airways 2010 ATP Rankings.

Soderling’s qualification also means his self-portrait, created using paint-covered tennis balls, will be displayed as part of the ‘Art of Tennis’ exhibition at La Galleria Pall Mall in London from 8-18 November. Only the world’s top eight players who qualify to compete in the season finale will have their original works of art exhibited in London and auctioned online for charity through: barclaysatpworldtourfinals.com/ArtofTennis.
Only three singles berths remain up for grabs at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals with less than four weeks left in the regular ATP World Tour season.

In doubles, Lukas Dlouhy and Leander Paes are now assured of their place among the top eight doubles teams of the year, meaning the Czech/Indian duo join Bryan/Bryan, Nestor/Zimonjic & Melzer/Petzschner as the first four teams to qualify. Dlouhy/Paes, who captured the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title in Miami this year, will play in the season-ending event for a third consecutive year.

Courtesy: ATPWorldTour