Why mum's the word for Istomin's big test
By Laurie Whitwell for the Daily Mail

Published: 23:20 BST, 1 July 2012 | Updated: 23:20 BST, 1 July 2012












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Before his fourth-round match today, Denis Istomin will discuss in detail with his mother Klaudiya the plans for tackling Mikhail Youzhny.

But that is not to say he is a mummy's boy in need of encouragement before a big match. Denis Istomin's mother is also his coach.

It is an unusual set-up in any sport, let alone tennis. True, you only have to look to Richard Williams and his daughters Venus and Serena for evidence of others keeping it in the family, but the female mentor-male player scenario is less common.



Mum's the word: Istomin is coached by his mother

For 25-year-old Istomin, it has always been thus.

He said: 'Sometimes I get a look like, "How is this possible?" I don't think there is a problem. A player will practise with his father if he is the coach. I am happy she is my coach because she wants to see my results, not take my money.

'She works with me because I am her son. We have a good relationship and we understand each other.'

Judy Murray has travelled with sons Andy and Jamie on the ATP tour for years but always left the coaching to others. American Donald Young, who was knocked out by Youzhny in the first round, also works with his mother, Ilona.

Klaudiya has guided her son since his junior days in Uzbekistan and Klaudena Erfahrung it has certainly paid off. He is the world No 39 and first from his country to make it the last 16 at Wimbledon.



Family ties: Istomin is the first player from Uzbekistan to make it into the last-16

Istomin said: 'She does what any other coach does. She'll hit balls with me and tries to correct my technique, my tactics, everything. She also helps me mentally. If things aren't going so good, she tells me not to worry, just to work harder.'

Klaudiya said: 'I do this because he wants me as his coach. I have always coached young boys, so it feels natural for me to be working with an ATP player.'

It was motherly persuasion which convinced Istomin to return to tennis after a car crash in 2001 hospitalised him for three months and kept him off the court for two years. He suffered a serious leg injury that required 80 stitches.

'I need to thank my mother,' he said. 'She believed I could play tennis again and that's why I came back.'

 



Seed in danger
Ana Ivanovic, coached by the father of Andy Murray's girlfriend Kim Sears, has her work cut out against in-form No 2 seed Victoria Azarenka. Not even the rain can come to her rescue as she is second out on Centre Court.

Groundpass bonus
A lot of people did not expect Kim Clijsters to get this far but she faces Germany's Angelique Kerber on Court No 3 in the last 16. Lose and it will be the last time we see her on court as she is retiring at the end of the year.

Weather forecast
Rain… and lots of it. This means late-night tennis under the Centre Court roof. Great news for the BBC, who peaked with eight million viewers on Saturday and a 41.3 per cent audience share.



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