Ash Barty’s coach Craig Tyzzer named world’s best

Melbourne coach Craig Tyzzer has been recognised by his peers for steering Ash Barty to the world’s top ranking.

Craig Tyzzer, coach of World No 1 Ash Barty, has been named WTA Coach of the Year. Picture: Supplied

Melbourne coach Craig Tyzzer has been recognised by his professional peers for his excellence in steering Ash Barty to the world’s top ranking.

A former professional player, Tyzzer has coached at many levels but his partnership with the 23-year-old has proven particularly successful.

The Queenslander claimed the French Open, the Miami Open, a title in Birmingham and the season-ending WTA Finals in an outstanding year under the guidance of Tyzzer.

But the on-court success was only part of the reason for the acknowledgment in an award voted on by fellow WTA coaches.

Craig Tyzzer, coach of World No. 1 @ashbarty, becomes the second recipient of the annual WTA Coach of the Year Award. 👏 pic.twitter.com/HhyrgsDBQ3

— WTA (@WTA) December 9, 2019

The WTA Coach of the Year award recognises Tyzzer “for success on the court, but also for serving as an ambassador of the sport and bringing coaching to the forefront of the game.”

It was noted he took part in panel discussions, conferences and media interviews to help promote the women’s game.

Czech star Petra Kvitova was voted to the winner of the Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award for the seventh successive year and eighth time overall.

An honour claimed previously by Evonne Goolagong-Cawley among other champions, it is presented to a player who conducts herself in a manner fitting of a professional sports figure and observes the rules of fair play, shows respect for others and is gracious on and off the court.

Very moved by this. Thank you to all my fellow players who voted, it means a lot to me 🤗

I hope to teach our future tennis generations to love and respect the sport as much as I do ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ZUYA6sDFDN

— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) December 9, 2019

“Receiving this award for the eighth time makes me very proud and means so much to me,” said Kvitova. “Being recognised by my colleagues for sportsmanship and fair play is an honour as I always pride myself on treating my opponents with respect. I hope to inspire the future generations to love the sport of tennis as much as I do.”

Barty, meanwhile, is among the nominees for the WTA Tour’s Player of the Year, which will be announced on Wednesday.