The WTA’s coaching pathway for women is gathering momentum beyond the baseline, with the Americas Coach Inclusion Program opening applications for its 2026-27 intake after a summer that underlined its growing reach across the professional game.
WTA coaching program expands its reach
Launched in 2021, the WTA Coach Inclusion Program has already helped 44 coaches representing 18 countries complete its development framework. New partnerships are set to bring another 39 graduates through the program this year, extending a project designed to create more opportunities for women in high-performance coaching.
The current 2025-26 Americas group received a close-up look at tour-level work during the Charleston Open. Five participants followed the coaching teams of Iva Jovic, Diana Shnaider and Sloane Stephens, while also meeting physiotherapists, fitness staff and mental-health specialists who form part of a modern player support unit.
Those practical sessions arrive at a time when several women’s coaching partnerships are producing notable results. Sandra Zaniewska has worked with Marta Kostyuk for three years, helping guide the Ukrainian through a 2026 season that has included two titles. Kostyuk’s progress has placed Zaniewska’s tactical and long-term planning under fresh focus.
Zeynep Sonmez has also climbed with a collaborative setup led by Issam Jellali, who also coaches Ons Jabeur. Sonmez reached a personal-best ranking of No. 67 in Madrid and has credited the collective support around her, saying she has complete faith in her team.
Jovic’s rise has offered another example of a player and coach looking beyond the immediate ranking surge. The 18-year-old is already in the Top 20, but coach Tom Gutteridge has stressed that her development must remain centered on building durable skills for the seasons ahead rather than chasing short-term gains.
Charleston also brought Jovic’s team into contact with the Coach Inclusion cohort, while Australian coach Jarrad Bunt continues his work with World No. 68 Talia Gibson. Bunt’s player-first approach has become central to his coaching identity as Gibson puts together a breakthrough campaign.
Elsewhere on the WTA circuit, Francisco Roig demonstrated unusual resilience after suffering an Achilles tendon rupture in a friendly match. Following surgery, the Spanish coach missed only one practice before returning to Iga Swiatek’s corner during her Rome match on Friday.
The broader coaching conversation also includes established figures continuing to shape the sport. Former player Kathy Rinaldi has moved into a new phase through her tennis academy and her work with Caty McNally after leaving the USTA, while Thomas Hogstedt’s career has carried his coaching influence from Sweden to players around the world.
Applications are now available for the 2026-27 WTA Americas Coach Inclusion Program, as the initiative seeks to build on its expanding graduate base and place more women inside the coaching teams that operate week after week on tour.
SEO Title: WTA Americas Coach Inclusion Program Opens 2026-27 Applications
SEO Description: The WTA Americas Coach Inclusion Program opens applications for 2026-27 after supporting 44 graduates from 18 countries and expanding its tour-level coaching opportunities.
