Tennis Stars Describe 'Weird Dynamic' of Paying Coaches Who Give Them Orders

Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, Desirae Krawczyk, and Jennifer Brady open up about the unusual power balance with their paid coaches.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:09am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, geometric painting in vibrant colors depicting a tennis match broken down into overlapping planes, representing the unique power dynamics between players and their coaches.The complex power dynamics between tennis players and their coaches come to life in a cubist, deconstructed visual.Charleston Today

Top American tennis players Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, Desirae Krawczyk, and Jennifer Brady recently discussed the strange dynamic of employing and paying their coaches, who they then have to trust and listen to on the court. The players acknowledged the 'weird power struggle' of being the boss while still taking direction from someone they pay.

Why it matters

The coach-player relationship is a critical part of professional tennis, but the players revealed how it can feel awkward and unbalanced at times, with the player technically being the 'boss' but having to cede control to their paid coach. This dynamic highlights the complex interpersonal challenges elite athletes face in their pursuit of success.

The details

Keys, Pegula, Krawczyk, and Brady opened up about this dynamic on the 'Players Box Podcast.' Keys said, 'It's a weird dynamic! It's like this weird power struggle dynamic. I guess it's not a power struggle but it's weird because it's like you as the player are the boss, but, you are paying someone to tell you what to do.' Krawczyk added that they want the coaching relationship to be more of a collaborative dialogue, not just one-sided instruction, even though the player is technically the employer. Pegula joked that her teammate Brady 'overthinks' the dynamic, with the irony of being in charge while still paying a coach.

  • Keys and her husband Bjorn Fratangelo, who is also her coach, got married in November 2024.
  • Pegula has been working with coaches Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein since early 2024.

The players

Madison Keys

An American professional tennis player who is currently ranked in the top 20 on the WTA Tour. She is married to her coach, Bjorn Fratangelo, who joined her team after his retirement in 2023.

Jessica Pegula

An American professional tennis player who is currently ranked in the top 10 on the WTA Tour. She has been working with coaches Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein since early 2024.

Desirae Krawczyk

An American professional tennis player who specializes in doubles. She has been working with coach Craig Veal, who has guided several top-40 doubles players.

Jennifer Brady

An American professional tennis player who is currently ranked in the top 20 on the WTA Tour.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's a weird dynamic! It's like this weird power struggle dynamic. I guess it's not a power struggle but it's weird because it's like you as the player are the boss, but, you are paying someone to tell you what to do.”

— Madison Keys, Professional Tennis Player

“But yeah, it's also, you want it to be like a dialogue like you guys both working together at something. It's not just them always telling you something. But, obviously being on the same page. But, yeah, it is weird to think you're paying them, but you are the boss. Like you employ them.”

— Desirae Krawczyk, Professional Tennis Player

“Jenny's brain is like the hamster is like going? She is like, 'Wait! I am in charge. Why am I paying them if I am in charge?' (Laughs)”

— Jessica Pegula, Professional Tennis Player

What’s next

The players will continue to navigate the unique coach-player dynamic as they compete in the upcoming clay-court swing, including the prestigious Monte Carlo Masters tournament.

The takeaway

The coach-player relationship in professional tennis is a complex one, with players having to balance being the 'boss' who hires and pays their coach, while also having to trust and follow the guidance of that same coach. This dynamic reveals the interpersonal challenges elite athletes face in pursuit of success.