Darren Cahill says he would address world No. 5 Simona Halep the same way despite backlash over “disgrace” remark
After copping heavy backlash for calling world No. 5 tennis star Simona Halep a “disgrace” during a match, coach Darren Cahill said he wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.
Tennis
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Darren Cahill said he would address Wimbledon champion Simona Halep the exact same way again, despite coming under fire for his tough words at the WTA season ending showpiece in Shenzhen.
One of the most respected coaches in tennis, Cahill has divided the tennis world for his stern words to the world No. 5 in her 6-0, 2-6, 6-4 loss to Karolina Pliskova.
After the Romanian surrendered a 2-0 lead in the third and final set Cahill gave Halep a controversial court-side rev-up.
“Simo? Simo, look at me. The last three games you’ve been a disgrace on the court,” he said.
“Come on, you can’t win the match doing what you’ve been doing the last three games. You’ve got to reel it in.
“Get your focus back between the lines. For no reason, you’ve lost it here ... So you have a chance to define yourself now in this set. Forget the result, how are you going to finish this match? It’s up to you.”
Cahill, who has coached Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi as well, was widely panned on social media for how he addressed Halep, while others defended his approach.
I am appalled at @darren_cahill. How dare he call you a disgrace, you are amazing! Get a new coach, not one who bullies but one you appreciates you as we all do call @Simona_Halep
— Paula Veysey-Smith (@MPowerAccounts) November 1, 2019
Anyone who doesn’t think that @darren_cahill ‘s on court coaching of Simona Halep was absolutely appropriate, and actually spot on, has never been around high achieving athletes, and certainly doesn’t know their professional relationship. Well coached mate ðŸ‘
— Chris Anstey (@ChrisAnstey13) November 2, 2019
On SEN on Monday, Cahill said he understood why some were outraged about his comments, but added they “need the context of the talk as well”.
“I knew it was a tough moment and I knew walking on the court as a coach you have to make a decision around what direction you are going to go with it,” he said.
“I walked on court after the second set and told her how proud I was.
“The real context of the issue was that we have been in this position a few times with Simona, (but) for some reason when she is up a break and she can extend a lead and she doesn’t, she can go into a bad place… to the point internally where she just beats herself up.
“I’ve seen her do this eight or 10 times… it was a pretty challenging moment, not something as a coach that you would like to do.”
Halep has said she “deserved” the comments.
Cahill said he would be prepared to speak to Halep the same way in the future if required.
“I needed to be tougher… I wasn’t talking about her as a person, I was just talking about her behaviour in those three games,” he said.
“I think I would do it again if I had to… it’s not an enjoyable position for a coach to be in, but I think I wasn’t doing my job as a coach properly (if I didn’t address it).
“Our job is to give our players the best opportunity to win a tennis match and from previous history, those tactics that I’ve tried haven’t worked.”
Halep will play in the inaugural Adelaide International in January.