Roberto Bautista Agut has made some impressive runs this season. However, the Spanish ATP pro and World No.53 has, unfortunately, failed to turn efforts into glory in any of his campaign so far. Luckily, the the 37-year-old veteran has been doing just fine in Cincinnati. After clearing the first two hurdles, he’s now entered the third round at the ongoing Masters 1000 event. Despite nearing the end of his competitive career, Bautista Agut is still at it, pushing himself forward to keep delivering his best on the court. And assisting him in his pursuit are several key figures. They have been watching him closely while showing the much-needed guiding light – his coaches.
As the Spaniard prepares for his next battle at the Cincinnati Open, against newly crowned Canadian Open champion Ben Shelton, it’s perhaps the best time to have an overview of Bautista Agut’s camp. Who’s he got to make important pre-match strategies and effective tactics to overcome challenging opponents?
Who is Roberto Bautista Agut’s coach?
Roberto Bautista Agut has not one but two main coaches in 2025. They are Daniel Gimeno-Traver and Tomas Carbonell. The Spaniard decided to have a two-coach approach in late 2021 after parting ways with longtime coach, Spain’s Pepe Vendrell Bru. “It’s a moment you never see coming,” he said while announcing the end to his collaboration with Vendrell four years ago.
Reflecting on his time with the former trainer, he said, “Pepe and I have practically been one person for all this time. We were by each other’s sides for many years and I’ve enjoyed some of the best moments of my career with him in my corner. It’s a big change, especially at first. You have some well-drilled routines, you’re really used to certain things, the way you work with a person.” Following Vendrell’s exit, Bautista Agut added former Spanish tennis players Traver and Carbonell before commencing his 2022 season.
Coaching history and key collaborators
After turning pro in 2005, Roberto Bautista Agut decided to have a stable approach in terms of hiring a main trainer. Back in 2010s, he brought Spanish coach Pepe Vendrell Bru to his team. Eventually, the two went on to have a decade-long partnership. Reason? Under Pepe’s tutelage, Bautista Agut found a lot of success to say the least. The World No.53 previously told, “We worked together for almost eleven years and did a great job.”
Image Credits: Roberto Bautista Agut/Instagram
Before the 2022 season, Bautista Agut opted to replace Pepe with Daniel Gimeno-Traver and Tomas Carbonell. Explaining the reason behind the move, he simply told, “We both needed a change. That was good for me because I now get some new inputs.” On having a two-coach strategy, he previously mentioned that “It’s a very demanding sport for just one coach and I think splitting the weeks is the best way.”
Roberto Bautista Agut’s career boosts and tournament successes
Parting ways with his longtime coach Pepe wasn’t easy though. Simply because the latter helped him accomplish various career milestones. Under Vendrell, Roberto Bautista Agut managed to win nine ATP singles titles. Not to mention his big leap in the ATP rankings. He was able to reach a career-best No.9 position, back in January 2020.
Speaking of big events like the Grand Slams, Pepe’s presence did help Bautista Agut to make impressive runs during their decade-long collaboration. Here’s an overview of the results:
Australian Open: Quarterfinal (2019)
French Open: Fourth Round (2016, 2017)
Wimbledon: Semifinal (2019)
US Open: Fourth Round (2014, 2015)
Coaching philosophy and on-court strategies
After bringing in Daniel Gimeno-Traver and Tomas Carbonell, the coaching setup has changed a lot in last three years. When they initially joined him, the Spaniard did touch upon their approach and strategies. “Dani has started out very keen and excited. I have approached it with the same attitude and I feel very happy. Dani is great, a very good guy,” Bautista Agut said. Speaking on their friendly bonding, he added, “We already had a good relationship off the court. Now I guess the relationship will be even stronger.”
During the initial season, the goal was to split time, in terms of weeks, between Traver and Carbonell. “Dani will tell me new things, he’ll help both technically and tactically. They are both quite different.” Mentioning the second coach Carbonell, he revealed, “I’ve worked with him before, we know each other and it will be important to get his advice.”
Current support team and the future
Currently, Roberto Bautista Agut is playing through the events under Daniel Gimeno-Traver and Tomas Carbonell. Notably, Traver guided Bautista Agut to two crucial titles in Doha and Kitzbühel after joining in 2022.
This season, however, he’s not really been able to win a single tournament. During the grass swing, in June, he did show glimpses of a solid form. At the Queen’s Club, he managed to reach the semis before losing to eventual champion and compatriot Carlos Alcaraz.
Then in Mallorca, he made it to the quarterfinal stage before facing defeat against America’s Alex Michelsen. However, he couldn’t do much at Wimbledon last month, exiting in the first round itself. The outcome remained unchanged at the Generali Open too. Thankfully, he’s made it to the third round this week in Cincinnati. In this Masters 1000 tournament, Bautista Agut’s best run includes reaching the semis – way back in 2020.
If he wants to replicate a similar campaign this time, he will have to overcome the challenge of American star and World No.6 Ben Shelton. The two will lock horns in the R32 on Wednesday. The road looks tough ahead for Bautista Agut given that Shelton leads him 2-0 in the H2H tally. Do you think the Spaniard can finally break the jinx and earn his maiden win against the 22-year-old? Let us know in the comments below.
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