Valencia, Spain – World number three David Ferrer was Sunday added to the fast-expanding the coach-change list, with the Spanish veteran announcing a split after a decade and a half with longtime mentor Javier Piles.
Ferrer, 31, is due to fly to Abu Dhabi for a Thursday match with Stanislas Wawrinka at the three-day exhibition under the guidance of new coach Jose Altur, a former ATP player in the 1980s.
Ferrer revealed the split prior to leaving for the Gulf: “I broke my relation with Javier, it was okay, we didn't have any personal problems. We worked together for many years and we decided to end the coaching relationship.”
Ferrer stands behind number one compatriot Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic on the ATP list. He reached his first grand slam final last season under Piles, losing to Nadal at Roland Garros.
Other coaching changes in the busy off-season have included Boris Becker working with Djokovic, Michael Chang coaching Kei Nishikori and former French Open winner Juan Carlos Ferrer guiding Frenchman Richard Gasquet. On the women's side, Maria Sharapova, Samantha Stosur and Briton Laura Robson have also taken on new coaches recently.– Sapa-dpa