Star American Danielle Collins is dating former Melbourne Demon Tom Couch, who is also her full-time fitness coach
It is the romantic and professional partnership that is reaping huge benefits for Danielle Collins. The tennis star’s on-and-off court relationship with ex-Melbourne Demon Tom Couch has taken her game to the next level.
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She was a shock semi-finalist at last year’s Australian Open, he is the son of a Brownlow Medal winner who played three AFL games himself and player-coached North Launceston to the Tasmanian State League flag.
The partnership between Danielle Collins and Tom Couch, both professionally and romantically, is paying dividends with the American again impressing on Australian soil.
Couch, the son of the late Paul Couch who won the 1989 Brownlow Medal while at Geelong, played three games for Melbourne across 2016 and 2017 before he was delisted.
He then was appointed playing coach of Tasmanian State League powerhouse North Launceston, and guided the Northern Bombers to the State League flag before he stepped away from the post after the successful year.
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He returned to the Northern Bombers to play games as just a player, before becoming the fitness coach of Australian No. 1 Alex de Minaur.
Now he forms a three-pronged Australian backroom staff for the World No. 27.
Couch is not only Collins’ full-time fitness coach but her partner, after they met last year.
Collins told The Advertiser that Couch, who also spruiks pre-season training plans for local footy clubs, had incorporated some of the aspects he had picked up from the Australian game into her preparation.
“I think having a bit more different perspective and thinking outside of the box and having that different mental and physical training,” she said.
“He understands what it is like to play professional sport and the toll it can take on you mentally and physically, and what you will face during the season.
“He also had experience in tennis before, so that’s really good I think with both of us being such competitive people - we are a good fit.”
There must be something about Australia for the 26-year-old.
Before last year’s Australian Open, the St Petersburg in Florida native had not won any of her five Grand Slam singles matches - only to cause a huge boilover by shocking then second seed Angelique Kerber to reach the semi-finals.
Ahead of next week’s slam at Melbourne Park she is again in the semi-final stage at an Australian tournament after a stunning 6-3, 6-1 win over fourth seed Belinda Bencic at the Adelaide International.
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This came after she overcame illness that meant she couldn’t keep down food to beat fellow American and seventh seed Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-1.
“I was feeling much better (against Bencic),” she said.
“I think winning that match not feeling well gave me the confidence that I can overcome that adversity.
“I think the climate is similar to where I grew up in Florida, it’s so nice playing here in a respectful crowd, the tournaments are so well ran and everyone feels at home.”
She hasn’t just been winning on the court.
After being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory condition causing pain, stiffness and swelling in joints, in October, Collins finally feels in control.
Her medication has been “life changing”.
But the challenge on the court will get even more challenging on Friday night when she takes on Australia’s World No. 1 Ash Barty for a place in the Adelaide International final.
Understandably the vast majority of the Adelaide crowd will be going for Australia’s golden girl, who Collins has never beaten.
But the American will have at least three Aussies firmly in her court.
Originally published as Star American Danielle Collins is dating former Melbourne Demon Tom Couch, who is also her full-time fitness coach