Nigel Sears has resigned as head coach of women's tennis for the Lawn Tennis Association to coach Ana Ivanovic.
Coach moves on after successful tenure
Nigel Sears has resigned as head coach of women's tennis for the Lawn Tennis Association to coach Ana Ivanovic.
The news comes as a blow to the LTA as Sears' four-and-a-half-year tenure saw five British women break into the world's top 100, two make the top 50 and two girls (Laura Robson and Heather Watson) win junior grand slam titles.
Sears said: "It's been a real privilege to be in charge of women's tennis at the LTA, and an honour to captain Great Britain's Fed Cup team, and I feel we've made considerable progress in the women's game over this period.
"I've been fortunate to work with some great coaches, trainers and physios, and I look forward to following the progress of our players over the next few years."
LTA chief executive Roger Draper added: "I would like to thank Nigel for his significant contribution to the LTA over the past four and a half years.
"Nigel has been instrumental in developing the player programmes for our most talented girls and women, and he leaves behind a real sense of confidence and optimism that we can look forward to a bright long-term future in the international game."
Draper, however, has played down the departure of Sears, insisting it does not signal a crisis point for the LTA after a recent revival in British women's tennis.
"We're really sad to lose Nigel because he's a great guy, a great coach and he's brought a lot. But people come and go and you move on," Draper said. "What we try to do is adjust and strengthen the team where possible.
"Nigel's left an unbelievable legacy behind to build on, but that doesn't mean it's all going to collapse like a heap of cards. I know we get a lot of knocks, but we've got some hugely talented people working across the LTA."
