World number 11 Grigor Dimitrov took to twitter Tuesday afternoon to announce his split with coach Roger Rasheed. "After much thought I have decided to end my working relationship with Roger", the young Bulgarian tweeted.
After an early third round exit at The Championships at Wimbledon, you had to have seen this one coming. Rasheed took over as Grigor's head coach in 2013, at a time where they both realized the potential that Dimitrov held and felt that Roger could get him over the hump and passed just "knocking on the door" of these Grand Slams.
In 2014, a year into their relationship, Rasheed took Dimitrov's game to new heights. The rising star won a career high 50 tour matches in 2014, shattering his previous high at 37. He also won three titles in Acapulco, Bucharest, and Queens Club. Dimitrov continued his hot play on the grass and made it to the semifinals of Wimbledon; defeating Andy Murray on the way.
After an abysmal 2015 season and bouncing out of Wimbledon in the third round, the Bulgarian number one felt that it was time for a new voice in his ear. He has not mentioned yet what is future plans are for a new coach. One potential coach that I believe would be a good fit for Dimitrov is ex-Roddick coach, Larry Stefanki. Stefanki hasn't coached since 2012, but if the struggling Dimitrov gave him a ring, this writer could see some great chemistry built between the two of them. When Stefanki took over as Roddick's head coach, the American was an amazing talent, but considered an underachiever by most (mainly because of that one guy... who was it? Oh ya, Roger Federer.) Stefanki coached Roddick to the memorable Wimbledon Final where he maybe should have won. It was obvious he turned around Roddick's attitude about tennis and brought out the best in Roddick. Stefanki also coached Chilean Fernando Gonzalez to the Australian Open Final in 2007, losing to Federer. Can Larry Stefanki turn Baby Fed into the next great champion, the next Roger Federer perhaps? Maybe.
As for Roger Rasheed, this writer would like to see him get in touch with Nick Kyrgios. Kyrgios is currently coachless at the moment and definitely needs some guidance. Both being Australian, who knows, they may give it a shot.
If Dimitrov finds his game soon, you can bet he will be a contender in any tournament he plays. If he hires Stefanki, he can win slams.