Experienced Leader Takes the Helm

Tennis Canada has appointed Martin Laurendeau as the new Head of Men’s Tennis, the national federation announced Thursday. Laurendeau, 61, brings a wealth of experience to the role, with a focus on developing both players and coaches.

Tennis Canada was looking for “someone with experience to develop players, but also coaches in the medium and long term,” according to Laurendeau. His mission is “to develop coaches on a national scale so that they can develop with our players and then follow them in tournaments and in transition. We want to develop coaches here, not just look for coaches abroad.”

A Legacy of Player Development

Laurendeau has a long and distinguished career in Canadian tennis, having worked closely with some of the nation’s top players, including Daniel Nestor, Denis Shapovalov, and most recently, Gabriel Diallo. He previously served as National Coach at Tennis Canada, helping propel several players into the Top 100.

He also served as coach of the Canadian Davis Cup team for 11 years, and later as team captain for another 13 years, from 2004 to 2017.

Continuing a Hands-On Approach

Despite his new administrative role, Laurendeau intends to remain actively involved on the court. “Don’t imagine that I’m going behind a computer to learn how to master Excel files,” he stated.

Laurendeau emphasized his commitment to guiding and mentoring Canada’s top prospects, stating he intends to “guide, orient, sponsor, mentor and advise” them.

Addressing the Challenges

Laurendeau acknowledged the challenges facing Canadian tennis, particularly in comparison to European programs. “The competition is fierce,” he said, noting that Canada is still striving for its first men’s Grand Slam champion.

He highlighted the logistical advantages European players have, stating, “They can take the car and play three hours later in Germany, France or Spain. They have access to a lot of competitions with the train too.” He also noted the greater volume of competitive opportunities available in Europe.

Currently, 61 of the top 100 men’s tennis players are European, 17 are American, and only three are Canadian.

Transition and Future Outlook

Laurendeau’s appointment comes after the end of his coaching relationship with Gabriel Diallo, who is currently ranked No. 37 in the world. The two parted ways on December 28th.

“The transition has been accomplished. We had a phenomenal journey,“ Laurendeau said. He added that such transitions are a normal part of a player’s career, stating, “We see certain that in a professional career of 15 years, the player will go through several coaches.”

Laurendeau expressed pride in his contributions to Canadian tennis and is optimistic about the future, though he recognizes the need for continued development and investment.

FAQ

• What is Martin Laurendeau’s new role? He is the new Head of Men’s Tennis at Tennis Canada.
• Who has Laurendeau coached in the past? Daniel Nestor, Denis Shapovalov, and Gabriel Diallo.
• What is a key challenge for Canadian tennis? The limited competitive structure compared to Europe.