As Mike Tyson returns to the ring against Jake Paul, his daughter Milan continues to excel in tennis

Natalia Zabiiako broke a bit of news on her otherwise slice-of-life vlog following girlfriend Daria Kasatkina through what has been a tumultuous start to her 2023 season, revealing the world No. 8 split with Carlos Martinez—her coach of four years.

“I often changed coached, partners even more—I mean on the ice,” joked the former Olympic figure skater.

“Of course it was scary,” Kasatkina admitted. “To end such a long relationship—working relationship!—it was hard. We worked almost four years together. It’s a little scary during the season, when you don’t know a person and you start working during the tournament.”

The person in question is former ATP player Flavio Cipolla, who was seen in the stands alongside Zabiiako and Kasatkina’s brother Alexandr at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open.

Kasatkina and Cipolla began a trial arrangement just before the start of the Middle East Swing in the hopes of turning around a season that has seen her reach a final in Adelaide but only win back-to-back matches once in five tournaments.

“It turned out that the first trial training was already on the day of the match,” added Zabiiako, implying the switch from Martinez was more abrupt than Kasatkina had intended.

“It’s difficult for me and the coach,” Kasatkina resumed. “He doesn’t know me. I don’t know him. He is not sure what he should say to me, or what he shouldn’t, and do I want to be told something. I don’t know how he works, so yes, that’s hard.

“That’s why if you change the coach, it’s better to do it at the end of the season, before pre-season, or when there is at least some kind of training bloc, so you can get to know each other. There are different situations, unplanned, like this, that’s hard, but whatever is done for the best.”

Kasatkina and Zabiiako next head to Dubai where the former will feature as the No. 7 seed at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Advertising

Baseline

Daria Kasatkina reveals coaching switch in couples vlog with Natalia Zabiiako

Jasmine Paolini—finally!—gets her elusive photo with Rafael Nadal

Jasmine Paolini still on the hunt for ‘legendary selfie’ with Rafael Nadal in Malaga

Shaped by Rafa Nadal, Casper Ruud finds 'it’s too late to change what kind of player I am’

Jannik Sinner’s latest Gucci campaign earns Serena Williams’ seal of approval

As Mike Tyson returns to the ring against Jake Paul, his daughter Milan continues to excel in tennis

WATCH: Retired soccer star Diego Forlan officially makes Challenger debut in Uruguay

PHOTOS: Rafael Nadal arrives in Malaga for final career event at Davis Cup Finals

"Shocked" Ons Jabeur calls out ITF for canceled tournaments in Monastir, Tunisia

Taylor Swift snaps selfies with Frances Tiafoe, Ayan Broomfield at Chiefs game

Daria Kasatkina reveals coaching switch in couples vlog with Natalia Zabiiako

WATCH: Kasatkina has struggled for consistency in 2023, winning back-to-back matches just once in five tournaments.

Advertising