Sharapova's coach in South Africa for Talent Identification

Tennis South Africa (TSA) has taken a significant step forward in the search for the country's next group of tennis stars by bringing Thomas Högstedt, coach of world number two Maria Sharapova, to the country.
Regarded as one of the best coaches in the world, the Swede will be the guest of TSA and investment holding company Remgro, and will conduct a specialised training camp in Stellenbosch for under-12 and under-14 boys and girls from 6 to 11 November. TSA will invite 20 boys and girls to attend the camp.

  

Thomas Högstedt, well known coach of Maria Sharapova, will be visiting South Africa in November to assist Tennis South Africa with talent identification and will be conducting a specialised camp for the country's top juniors at the Stellenbosch Sports Academy

Finding a big star

"I am looking forward to seeing and training some of the most talented boys and girls in South Africa and hopefully [will] find the next Sharapova, Li Na or Wozniacki and a new Federer, Djokovic or Nadal," Högstedt said in a statement this week.
"I've been coaching many star players from around the world, but never from South Africa, so I can't wait to start practising with them and maybe we can find South Africa's next top 10 players to replace the likes of Amanda Coetzer and Wayne Ferreira.
"I am very thankful to TSA chief executive Ian Smith for giving me this chance," Högstedt added. Smith was instrumental in setting up Högstedt's visit, and the project came to fruition thanks to a partnership between TSA and Remgro. The clinics will all be staged at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS).

Richard Sutton

Högstedt will be joined by Richard Sutton, a top South African trainer, who will deal with physical conditioning, flexibility, broader physical development, a science model for the flexibility of players, speed, agility and proper warm up protocols.
Sutton has worked with the Chinese Olympic Committee and was a big part of the success of the Chinese Olympic team. He has also worked with Federer and top German player Tommy Haas and helped Li Na work her way back to fitness from injury. He was working with her when she won the French Open.
Locally, Sutton has also worked with players such as Kevin Anderson and Wesley Moodie.

'Question and Answer' session

Högstedt and Sutton will have an evening "Question and Answer" session at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport, which will be open to all TSA registered coaches who are also invited to observe the clinic. Only TSA-registered coaches will be allowed free access to the session. Non-registered coaches can attend for a fee of R3 000.
"We have seen over the years that it is important to identify players with ability early in their careers so one can start to work with them as soon as possible," said Smith. "All too often they slip through the cracks and by the time one realises what has happened, it is all too late.
"With the ability of Thomas and Richard to recognise talent, as well as the specific athletic prerequisites required, we can hopefully build on creating a pool of skilful players."

Playing record

As a player, Högstedt won the Junior Boys' title at the 1981 US Open. During his playing career, he recorded victories over fellow Swede Mats Wilander, French Open champion Andres Gomez and Swiss player Jacob Hlasek, a regular visitor to South Africa during his career.
Högstedt coached both Tommy Haas and Li Na with great success and in 2010 was appointed coach of four-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova.
SAinfo reporter