Ex-Stanford star Saviano, Bouchard part ways

Eugenie Bouchard of the visiting Texas Wild warms up
before a World TeamTennis match against the Sacramento
Capitals last year. Photo by Paul Bauman

   Nick Saviano, a two-time Stanford All-American in the 1970s, announced last week that he and Eugenie Bouchard have agreed to end their coach-player relationship after eight years.
   “Genie and I have decided that it is best for us to end our player-coach relationship and to move in different directions for 2015," said Saviano, 58. "Helping Genie grow from an ambitious 12-year-old to No. 5 in the world has been an exciting journey.”
   Bouchard was named the WTA's Newcomer of the Year in 2013 and Most Improved Player this year. Ranked No. 32 at the beginning of 2014, she reached her first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon and the semifinals of the Australian Open and French Open. She also won her first WTA title at Nurnberg in May.
   “This past year, traveling with Genie to all of the majors has been a wonderful experience with memories I will cherish for a lifetime," Saviano said. "I have no doubt that Genie will accomplish great things. I wish her all the best."
    The 20-year-old Canadian's season, however, ended on a disappointing note. She lost all three of her matches in the WTA Finals in Singapore, never winning more than three games in a set. 
   Saviano, who has coached numerous top tour players, will continue to work with professionals and world-class juniors at his Saviano High Performance Tennis program in Plantation, Fla.