Daniel Vallverdú

Vallverdú has formerly coached Andy Murray{{Cite news | url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/tennis/article3811623.ece | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709102736/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/tennis/article3811623.ece | url-status=dead | archive-date=July 9, 2013 |title = Joy of Dani Vallverdu who became Andy Murray's closest confidant|last1 = Harman|first1 = Neil}} (2010–2014), Tomáš Berdych (2014–2016), Juan Martín del Potro, Stan Wawrinka (2019–2022) and recently he is coaching Grigor Dimitrov (2016–2019, 2022–). Vallverdu has also worked alongside Ivan Lendl, Andre Agassi, Magnus Norman and Jamie Delgado.

Vallverdú and Murray's partnership led to many tournament wins, including Murray's first Olympic Gold medal in 2012 (Vallverdú was head coach for the British Olympic tennis team), and two Grand Slam wins: the 2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon Championships.

Under Vallverdú's guidance in May 2015, at the age of 29, Czech player Tomáš Berdych reached his highest career singles ranking of No. 4 in the ATP rankings.{{citation needed |date=April 2025}}

He became the coach of Grigor Dimitrov{{Cite web | url=http://www.ubitennis.net/blog/2016/08/18/dani-vallverdu-explains-why-he-opted-to-coach-grigor-dimitrov-instead-of-del-potro/ |title = Dani Vallverdu Explains Why He Opted to Coach Grigor Dimitrov Instead of del Potro|date = 18 August 2016}} in July 2016. At the time the Bulgarian was No. 40 in the ATP rankings.{{Cite web | url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/dimitrov-goffin-nitto-atp-finals-2017-sunday-final-atp |title = Hear Him Roar, Nitto ATP Finals Title Belongs to Grigor Dimitrov! | ATP Tour | Tennis}} Vallverdú guided him to his first Masters 1000 title at the 2017 Cincinnati Masters,{{Cite web | url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2017/08/dimitrov-was-all-about-substance-his-cincy-masters-run/68648/ |title = Formerly Baby Fed, Grigor Dimitrov won Cincy with an all-grown-up game}} followed by the ATP Finals title in November 2017, resulting in Dimitrov's career high ranking of No. 3 by the end of 2017. In May 2019, Dimitrov and Vallverdú ended their working relationship.

In June 2019, Vallverdú joined Stan Wawrinka as his coach, together with Magnus Norman.{{cite web|url=https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/stan-wawrinka-adds-coach-dani-vallverdu-to-team-for-grass-court-season|title= Stan Wawrinka adds coach Dani Vallverdu to team for grass-court season |date=10 June 2019}} Wawrinka ended 2019 back in the top 20 of the ATP rankings. Norman and Wawrinka parted ways in September 2020. Vallverdu and Wawrinka ended their working relationship in October 2022.

In December 2022 Vallverdu agreed to start coaching Grigor Dimitrov again.{{Cite web |title=Отново заедно за постоянно: Григор ще работи с Валверду и през новия сезон - Tennis.bg |url=https://tennis.bg/article/otnovo-zaedno-za-postoianno-grigor-shte-raboti-s-valverdu-i-prez-noviia-sezon/36732/ |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=tennis.bg |language=bg}} By April 2024, Dimitrov joined again the top 10 and finished the year at world No. 10.

Vallverdú met British tennis player Andy Murray in the Sánchez-Casal Barcelona Tennis Academy when he was 15, where they were both training to become professional tennis players. The two became close friends.

In June 2008, Vallverdú became Murray's doubles partner for the 2008 Queen's Club Championships in London.

Vallverdú started working with Murray following his split with Miles Maclagan in 2010 and became Murray's de facto coach after he parted company with Alex Corretja in March. He coached Murray, organised practice sessions and served as liaison with Darren Cahill and Sven Groeneveld. "Quiet and unassuming, Vallverdú scouts opponents and helps devise tactical plans. Despite his relative youth, he is known for his professionalism and in-depth knowledge of the game."{{Cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/13982353 | title=Wimbledon 2011: The men who make Murray tick| work=BBC Sport| date=30 June 2011}}

Vallverdú was also selected to be the head coach of the British men's tennis team for the London Olympics 2012, in which Murray won the Gold medal.{{cite web|url=http://the-slice.com/2012/08/box-shots-team-murray-cheers-andy-to-olympic-final/ |title=Box Shots: Team Murray Cheers Andy to Olympic Final | the Slice |accessdate=2013-01-18 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016200153/http://the-slice.com/2012/08/box-shots-team-murray-cheers-andy-to-olympic-final/ |archivedate=2012-10-16 }}

With Andy Murray, Vallverdú worked alongside Ivan Lendl,{{Cite web | url=http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Dani+Vallverdu/2012+French+Open+Day+Nine/sIGSme7fd4G | title=Dani Vallverdu Photos Photos: 2012 French Open - Day Nine}} who joined Murray's team in 2012.{{Cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/andymurray/8404551/Andy-Murray-hoping-old-pals-act-with-new-coach-Dani-Vallverdu-will-rekindle-his-form.html |title = Andy Murray hoping old pals' act with new coach Dani Vallverdu will rekindle his form|date = 24 March 2011|last1 = Hodgkinson|first1 = Mark}}

Other memorable highlights of his coaching work with Murray and Lendl included when Murray won two Grand Slam titles, the US Open in 2012 and Wimbledon 2013.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/extra/9lxe5bmqlm/How-Murray-won-Wimbledon |title='An amazing day for Britain' - How Murray ended a 77-year wait |publisher=BBC |access-date=2023-08-03}} Following a mutual split with Murray in November 2014, Vallverdú took on the head coaching job for Tomáš Berdych.

Vallverdu started working with Tomáš Berdych following the mutual split from Andy Murray in November 2014. At the time Tomáš Berdych was ranked World No. 7. It was an immediate success as Tomáš Berdych reached his second Australian Open semifinal after beating Rafael Nadal, but then losing to Andy Murray in a tense match 6-7 (6-8) 6-0 6-3 7–5.{{citation needed |date=April 2025}}

Under Vallverdú's guidance in May 2015, at the age of 29, Berdych reached his highest career singles ranking of No. 4 in the ATP rankings and entered Roland Garros as the fourth seed. On 16 May 2016, Berdych and Vallverdú parted their ways.{{citation needed |date=April 2025}}

He became the coach of Grigor Dimitrov in July 2016. At the time the Bulgarian was No. 40 in the ATP rankings. Vallverdú guided him to his first Masters 1000 Win, as he beat Nick Kyrgios in the final of the 2017 Cincinnati Masters. This success was followed by the ATP Finals title for Dimitrov in November 2017, resulting in a career high ranking of No. 3 by the end of 2017. On 7 May 2019, after three years, Dimitrov and Vallverdú ended their working relationship.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/GrigorDimitrov/status/1125845230291488768/photo/1|title=pic.twitter.com/FKzimMLkzg|last=Dimitrov|first=Grigor|date=2019-05-07|website=@GrigorDimitrov|access-date=2019-05-07}}

In October 2022 after parting ways with Wawrinka, Vallverdu agreed to coach Dimitrov again till the end of the 2022 season which ended in November 2022.{{Cite web|url= https://www.tenniskafe.com/atp/grigor-dimitrov/dimitrov-shte-raboti-s-valverdu-do-kraya-na-sezona/|title=Dimitrov will work with Valverdu till the end of the 2022 season|date=18 October 2022|access-date=19 November 2022}} On 1 December 2022, it was confirmed he will continue to coach Dimitrov in 2023.{{Cite web|url= https://www.tenniskafe.com/atp/grigor-dimitrov/dimitrov-shte-raboti-s-valverdu-i-prez-2023/|title=Dimitrov will work with Valverdu also in the 2023 season|date=1 December 2022}}

Dimitrov under Vallverdu’s guidance made his first ATP Final since the 2018 ABN AMRO in Rotterdam at the 2023 Geneva Open.{{Cite web |title=Nicolas Jarry Wins Geneva Title, Defeats Grigor Dimitrov {{!}} ATP Tour {{!}} Tennis |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/dimitrov-jarry-geneva-2023-final-saturday |date=27 May 2023|access-date=2023-10-20 |website=ATP Tour}} Dimitrov also reached the fourth round at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships. {{cite web|url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/dimitrov-vallverdu-wimbledon-2023 |title= Rinse & Repeat: The Secret To Dimitrov’s Hot Wimbledon Form|date=9 July 2023}}

At the 2023 US Open Dimitrov beat Andy Murray in straight sets to advance to the third round during the second-round match. Dimitrov had both of his coaches Vallverdu and Jamie Delgado - two of Murray’s former coaches, in his coaching box.{{Cite news |last=Amako |first=Uche |date=2023-08-31 |title=Andy Murray beaten at the US Open by classy Grigor Dimitrov |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2023/08/31/us-open-2023-andy-murray-grigor-dimitrov-live-score-updates/ |access-date=2023-10-20 |issn=0307-1235}}

Dimitrov had a solid run of form in the China circuit, making the semifinals of the Chengdu Open, the quarterfinals of the Beijing Open and the semifinals at the 2023 Rolex Shanghai Masters, where he beat Carlos Alcaraz, ranked No. 2 in the world, in the last 16 and Nicolas Jarry in the quarterfinals.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-11 |title=Alcaraz beaten by Dimitrov at Shanghai Masters |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/67080719 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-13 |title=Dimitrov beats Jarry to reach Shanghai semifinals |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/67101850 |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}

At the 2023 Rolex Paris Masters with his 94-minute triumph over Hubert Hurkacz, Dimitrov reached 40 tour-level wins in a season for the first time since 2017, which is also the year he last lifted an ATP Tour crown at the Nitto ATP Finals with Vallverdu.{{Cite web |title=Grigor Dimitrov Beats Hubert Hurkacz In Paris {{!}} ATP Tour {{!}} Tennis |url=http://www.atptour.com/en/news/hurkacz-dimitrov-paris-2023-friday |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=ATP Tour |language=en}} Dimitrov advanced to his second ATP Masters 1000 final and first since 2017 when he clawed past Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-7(1), 7-6(3) at the Rolex Paris Masters.{{Cite web |title=Grigor Dimitrov Defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas In Paris {{!}} ATP Tour {{!}} Tennis |url=http://www.atptour.com/en/news/tsitsipas-dimitrov-paris-2023-saturday |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=ATP Tour |language=en}}

In 2024, Dimitrov lifted his first title in Brisbane since he won his last title with Vallverdu at the ATP Finals in 2017.{{Cite web |title=His parents left early, but Grigor Dimitrov stayed to finish the job in Brisbane final {{!}} ATP Tour {{!}} Tennis |url=http://www.atptour.com/en/news/rune-dimitrov-brisbane-2024-final|date=7 January 2024|access-date=2024-01-25 |website=ATP Tour |language=en}} After beating Andy Murray in the first-round match up, Dimitrov did not lose another set the whole tournament beating Rune 7-5 6-4 in the Brisbane Final.

By April 1, 2024, Dimitrov rejoined again the top 10 and went on to finish the year at No. 10.{{cite web|url= https://www.tennismajors.com/atp/dimitrov-rediscovers-the-joy-and-rebounds-to-end-season-in-top-10-799364.html|title= Dimitrov rediscovers the joy and rebounds to end season in top 10|date=19 December 2024}}

After parting ways with Grigor Dimitrov, Vallverdú joined Stan Wawrinka's coaching team before the start of the 2019 grass court season. Following the departure of Magnus Norman in September 2020 Vallverdu became the de facto head coach.

Vallverdu and Wawrinka ended their working relationship in October 2022.{{Cite web |last=Tennis.com |title=Stan Wawrinka reunites with Magnus Norman, who helped him to three Grand Slam titles |url=https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/stan-wawrinka-reunites-coach-magnus-norman-basel-injury-comeback |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=Tennis.com |language=en}}

In June 2018, Vallverdú was voted by the body of ATP Coaches to act as the Coaches' representative in the ATP Player Council.{{Cite web | url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/atp-player-council-election-2018 |title = New ATP Player Council Elected in London | ATP Tour | Tennis}} After electing to leave the Players Council for a short period of time, Vallverdu was re-elected by the body of ATP Coaches to serve as the Coaches' Representative in the newly formed ATP Player Council of 2021 which included Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.{{Cite web | url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/atp-announces-2021-2022-player-council|title=ATP Announces 2021-2022 Player Council}}

In 2023, Vallverdu was re-elected by the body of the ATP Coaches to continue serving as the Coaches' Representative in the newly formed ATP Player Council of 2023.{{Cite web |title=ATP Player Advisory Council Meets In Melbourne {{!}} ATP Tour {{!}} Tennis |url=http://www.atptour.com/en/news/player-advisory-council-meets-in-melbourne |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=ATP Tour |language=en}}

In August 2021, after the cancellation of the Asia Swing, Vallverdu instigated the collaboration between the ATP and the San Diego Barnes Tennis Centre which was then allocated a one-year 250 tournament license to be held 27 September - 3 October 2021 as a lead up to the Indian Wells Masters which had been postponed to October due to Covid.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/04/sports/tennis/atp-wta-tournaments.html|title=Pro Tennis Finds New Cities to Play in, but Will It Return?|newspaper=The New York Times|date=4 October 2021|last1=Clarey|first1=Christopher}}{{cite web|url= https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/given-a-chance-to-host-the-pros-san-diego-charged-up-to-host-one-of-the-toughest|date=28 September 2021|title=Given a unique chance to host the pros, San Diego charged up to host "one of the toughest 250s"}}

Vallverdu took on the role of Managing Director and the tournament attracted players including Denis Shapovalov, Andrey Rublev, Kei Nishikori, Dimitrov and Murray. With 8 of the top 20 players attending and the ranking cut off being 42 to get in the main draw it was the second most competitive ATP 250 all season since Doha. Billie Jean King{{Cite web|url=https://tennisconnected.com/home/2021/09/20/billie-jean-king-named-honorary-tournament-chairperson-for-san-diego-open-atp-250-tournament/|title = Billie Jean King Named Honorary Tournament Chairperson for San Diego Open ATP 250 Tournament|date = 20 September 2021}} accepted the role of honorary tournament chair.{{Cite news|last=Ganguly|first=Sudipto|date=2021-09-17|title=San Diego auditions for permanent spot on calendar with strong field|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/san-diego-auditions-permanent-spot-calendar-with-strong-field-2021-09-17/|access-date=2021-09-25}}

In 2022, with the Asia swing still cancelled due to Covid, Vallverdu again instigated the collaboration between the ATP and the San Diego Barnes Tennis Centre which was then allocated a second one year 250 tournament license to be held post US Open 17–25 September Vallverdu again took on the position of Managing Director.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

In 2023, Vallverdu took on the role of tournament director of the Washington D.C. Mubadala Citi DC Open.{{Cite web |title=Mubadala Citi DC Open: Draws, Dates, History & All You Need To Know {{!}} ATP Tour {{!}} Tennis |url=http://www.atptour.com/en/news/washington-2023-atp-500-history-draw-schedule |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=ATP Tour |language=en}}

In 2024, Vallverdu again took on the same role for the Washington D.C. Mubadala Citi DC Open.

For the third consecutive year, Vallverdu will again hold the position of Tournament Director in 2025.

In 2023, Vallerdu took on the role of co-tournament director of the 2023 Next Generation ATP Finals to be held at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.{{Cite web |title=Dani Vallverdu, directeur du Masters Next Gen : « Créer une culture tennis prend du temps » |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Tennis/Article/Dani-vallverdu-directeur-du-masters-next-gen-creer-une-culture-tennis-prend-du-temps/1434832 |date=3 December 2023|access-date=2024-01-25 |website=L'Équipe |language=fr}}

In 2024, Vallverdu again took on the same role for the 2024 Next Generation ATP Finals which was held again in Jeddah, in December. He was quoted saying, “Me personally, obviously, being close to the performance side and the player side, my honest, true opinion, is that this field is one of the best the Next Gen has ever had. It’s a very special and particular group that’s here in Jeddah. I think they all have a very high potential and a very high ceiling to grow and become the top players in the world.”

In December 2024, Vallverdu took on the position of events director for the WTA Finals in Riyadh.{{better source needed|date=April 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2574978/amp|title= WTA Finals in Riyadh should be the ‘most prestigious’ event, says tournament director Muguruza|date=12 October 2024}}

In 2023, Vallverdu co-founded the company AD Global Sports with Arran Yentob to support the development of sports in the UK and globally.

In November AD Global Sports partnered with Andy Murray to acquire the Padel team AD/vantage - one of six teams in the Hexagon Cup which took place in Madrid in February 2024.{{Cite web |last=Love |first=Tom |date=2023-11-17 |title=MURRAY TRIES HIS HAND AT TEAM OWNERSHIP |url=https://www.sportindustry.biz/news-categories/news/murray-tries-his-hand-at-team-ownership/ |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=Sport Industry Group |language=en-GB}}

In 2025 Team AD/vantage brought on Anthony Joshua as a co-owner {{cite web| url=https://www.cityam.com/joshua-joins-padel-craze-by-investing-in-murrays-hexagon-cup-team/|title= Anthony Joshua joins padel craze by investing in Murray’s Hexagon Cup team }} and also partnered with the Lawn Tennis Association LTA to help accelerate the growth of Padel throughout Britain.{{cite web|url=https://www.lta.org.uk/news/lta-announce-partnership-with-hexagon-cups-team-advantage-to-accelerate-growth-of-padel-in-britain/|title= LTA announce partnership with Hexagon Cup’s Team AD/vantage|date=28 January 2025}} Other Hexagon Cup Team owners are football star Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Robert Lewandowski, Hollywood actor Eva Longoria, the Rafa Nadal Academy and F1 driver Pierre Gasly.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vallverdú in collaboration with the ATP launched the coaches and players fan experience initiative to help raise funds for tennis coaches most affected during the pandemic.{{cite web |title=ATP Coaches Launch Fan Experience|url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/atp-coaches-launch-fan-experience |website=ATP Tour |publisher=ATP Tour, Inc. |accessdate=27 June 2020}} The first round of bidding raised over 90,000 USD.

In July 2020, The second round was launched and gave fans the chance to bid on more exclusive fan experiences {{cite web |title=Murray Wimbledon Lesson, 'Big 4' Racquet Draw Top New Fan Experience Prizes |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/atp-announces-second-round-fan-experiences |website=ATP Tour |publisher=ATP Tour, Inc. |accessdate=7 July 2020}} which included hitting with players Murray, Wawrinka,{{Cite web|url=https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/wawrinka-versteigert-sich-fuer-arbeitslose-coaches-147988377627|title = Corona-Hilfsauktion – Wawrinka versteigert sich für arbeitslose Coaches}} Lopez and Dimitrov.{{Cite news | url=https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/UK_Tennis/89292/andy-murray-happy-to-support-daniel-vallverdu-s-efforts-to-raise-funds-for-coaches|title=Andy Murray happy to support Daniel Vallverdu's efforts to raise funds for coaches}}

The highest individual bid was made for two Wimbledon Final tickets and the chance to hit with Grand Slam Champion Murray and reached close to 52,000 USD. The bid to hit with the Swiss Grand Slam Champion Wawrinka went for 27,000 US Dollars.

In total, the initiative launched by Vallverdú raised 218,000 US Dollars.

In 2020, Vallverdu became an ambassador for the charity organization HIA Athletes. He is quoted saying “My family and I are passionate about the environment and helping the planet. Having coached some of the greatest tennis players in the world I understand how important optimization is. High Impact Athletes helps me optimize my giving by providing easy access to the most effective, impactful charities in the world.” {{Cite web|url=https://highimpactathletes.org/athletes|title=Athletes}}

In June 2008, he became British tennis player Andy Murray's doubles partner for the 2008 Queen's Club Championships in London.

Vallverdú has played for Venezuela in eight matches over six ties, including a semifinal appearance in Group I of the Americas Zone in 2005.

Vallverdú attended the Sánchez-Casal Barcelona Tennis Academy when he was 15, where he met Andy Murray.

Vallverdú graduated from the University of Miami in 2009 with a BA in International Marketing and Finance.{{Cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/13982353 | title=Wimbledon 2011: The men who make Murray tick| work=BBC Sport| date=30 June 2011}}

During his time at the University of Miami, Vallverdú was captain of the university tennis team.

He received five all-American honors, was no. 3 in the nation in singles and no. 1 in the nation in doubles with teammate Carl Mikael Sundberg.

{{reflist}}

• {{ATP}}
• [http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/players/coaches/vallverdu-daniel Daniel Vallverdú] at the Association of Tennis Professionals Coach profile
• {{ITF}}
• {{Davis Cup player}}

{{Andy Murray}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vallverdu, Daniel}}

Category:1986 births

Category:Living people

Category:Venezuelan male tennis players

Category:Sportspeople from Valencia, Venezuela

Category:Miami Hurricanes men's tennis players

Category:Venezuelan expatriate tennis players in the United States