American tennis stars Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, Desirae Krawczyk, and Jennifer Brady recently shared their take on the unusual “power struggle” dynamic between players and their coaches, describing how strange it feels to both lead as the boss and still listen to and trust their coach. The discussion unfolded on the latest episode of the “Players Box Podcast.”
Why Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula Face a ‘Weird Dynamic’ With Coaches
Pegula, Keys, Krawczyk, and Brady acknowledged how strange it can feel to take direction from someone they employ. Speaking on a recent episode of the “Players Box Podcast,” Keys said:
“It’s a weird dynamic! It’s like this weird power struggle dynamic. I guess it’s not a power struggle but it’s weird because it’s like you as the player are the boss, but, you are paying someone to tell you what to do. So you obviously have to trust what they are saying is right. So, you’re supposed to like buy in what they are saying. Not that you don’t want to question them ever, but you don’t want to always have resistance to like what they are saying. But then at the same time you’re in charge.”
Krawczyk explained that coaching should feel like a collaborative dialogue, not one-sided instruction, but admitted it’s strange that, despite being an employer, they rely on their coach’s guidance.
“But yeah, it’s also, you want it to be like a dialogue like you guys both working together at something. It’s not just them always telling you something. But, obviously being on the same page. But, yeah, it is weird to think you’re paying them, but you are the boss. Like you employ them,” she said.
Pegula chimed in, “Then maybe now he’ll think about it.”
“That’s why I am kind of speechless,” Brady said, sounding awkward.
Pegula later joked that Brady overthinks the dynamic, humorously pointing out the irony of being in charge while still paying a coach: “Jenny’s brain is like the hamster is like going? She is like, ‘Wait! I am in charge. Why am I paying them if I am in charge?’ (Laughs)”
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Meanwhile, Krawczyk continues to work with coach Craig Veal, who has guided several top-40 doubles players and played a key role in her progress on the WTA circuit. Her runner-up finish at the Adelaide International alongside Lyudmyla Kichenok was her best result this season, before she elevated her level to win the Charleston doubles title with Caty McNally.
Similarly, Pegula has enjoyed a strong run this season, compiling a 24-4 record with two titles. Her Charleston triumph further boosts her confidence heading into the rest of the clay-court swing. Meanwhile, Keys has had a relatively modest run by her standards, holding an 11-6 record, with a semifinal showing in Charleston as her best result so far.
