Katie Boulter hired Maria SharapovaMichael Joyce’s former coach for the Australian Open.
American coach Joyce, 52, will work with Boulter at the Auckland Open this week and for qualifying at Melbourne Park.
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The pair have agreed to work together for the 2026 season, but either party can walk away from the partnership after the Australian summer if they wish.
Joyce worked with Sharapova for six years and guided the Russian to Grand Slam titles at US Open and the Australian Open, as well as world number one.
Joyce has also worked with former British number one Johanna Konta and two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka.
Boulter parted ways with ex-coach Biljana Veselinovic at the end of last season after three years together.
The 29-year-old fell to British No.4 after a grueling 2025 campaign and is now outside the world top 100.
Michael Joyce will work with Boulter in Auckland and Melbourne (Getty Images)
She received a wild card into Auckland, but looks set to make it through qualifying at Melbourne Park. Boulter is currently the third alternate and needs two outs next week to advance directly to the main draw.
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On the subject of a new coach, Boulter told the BBC in November: “As for a new coach, one thing I am very clear about is that it will be someone who has a lot of experience reaching the highest level of this sport.
“I’m ranked 23rd and I know I can get back there. I don’t think my level is gone, I think the consistency needs to improve.
“My goal is not to be ranked 50, 40, 30, 20 – we got there. The goal is to be in the 20s.”
