Franco Davin: 'Not having a psychologist on the team today is giving away an advantage'

Franco Davin, one of Argentina's most prestigious tennis coaches, believes that not having a psychologist on a team is a significant disadvantage in today's competitive environment. Davin, who retired as a player at 27 after reaching a top-30 ranking and winning three ATP singles titles, transitioned to coaching almost immediately, beginning with the Fed Cup in 1998.

His coaching career boasts historical chapters with Grand Slam champions Gastón Gaudio (Roland Garros 2004) and Juan Martín Del Potro (US Open 2009). He has also coached other notable players like Guillermo Coria, Grigor Dimitrov, Fabio Fognini, and Veronika Kudermetova. Now 56, Davin finds the adrenaline of the game through his players daily, stating he enjoys working with any committed and eager young player, regardless of their current level.

Based in Miami since 2015, Davin has spent over a year and a half with the promising Brazilian player João Fonseca, currently ranked 27th on the tour. Fonseca has been coached by Guilherme Teixeira since he was twelve, and Teixeira brought in Davin and fellow Argentine Marcelo Albamonte to enhance the team. Albamonte, a coach and sports mathematician, collaborates with Davin on the tennis statistics platform Game, Set, Math.

Davin expressed his enthusiasm for the project with Fonseca, citing the quality of Fonseca's team and structure as key factors. He appreciates Fonseca's mindset, personal qualities, and his family's support. Davin notes the difficulty in assembling a strong team and competing against European players, acknowledging that most recent Grand Slam champions have been European, with exceptions like Gaudio and Del Potro. Davin, originally from Pehuajó, connects various topics in his conversations, passionate about the game's strategic and analytical aspects, and excels at anticipating situations and understanding their causes.