ATP Coach Spotlight: Craig Boynton
Returning to the London apartment he was sharing with coach Craig Boynton after finally closing out his epic 11-hour Wimbledon victory over Nicolas Mahut in 2010, John Isner was feeling good about life.
“I actually felt okay physically, not knowing I was going to feel awful the next day,” Isner recounted to ATPTour.com this week. “So I told CB, ‘I feel like a million dollars’.”
“Yeah, in quarters,” Boynton quipped back, knowing full well that the 70-68 fifth-set victory would take a toll.
“And he was right. I did feel like a million dollars in quarters the next day, just awful,” Isner laughed. “He is so witty; he is one of the wittiest guys I know. He always has a quick quip to come back at you with. Ask anyone, the guy is hilarious.”
Boynton, one of the most respected voices in the game who is also known for his Santa Claus beard and congenial personality, is the subject of ATPTour.com’s ATP Coach Spotlight this month.
Boynton’s life has been intertwined with tennis since his collegiate days at Clemson University. After a brief professional playing career, Boynton found his true
calling in coaching — a path he’s been on for more than 30 years — while working with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Boynton has built a decorated career, mentoring players such as Jim Courier, Mardy Fish, and Isner.
Most recently, the American coach spent five-and-a-half years working with Hubert Hurkacz before the two amicably parted ways a few weeks ago.
“It’s been a labour of love — if that, not even a labour. It’s just been a lot of joy, getting to know these great people and helping these great players,” Boynton reflected of his coaching journey.
Boynton’s first real coaching break came in 1993, when he started working with Courier.
“With Jim, I was the traveling coach, and he brought a whole different level to the Tour,” Boynton said of working with the former World No. 1.
Boynton was particularly impressed by the American’s fitness and drive.
“I can remember Jim saying at the time: ‘Anybody can win a five-set match,’” Boynton said. “I’m the only one that can win the same five-set match tomorrow. I was able to see that firsthand, and he was an amazing competitor, an amazing worker.”
After a few years coaching Courier, Boynton moved to Tampa Bay, Florida, in 2007 to head the tennis programme at Saddlebrook Tennis Academy.
At Saddlebrook, Boynton crossed paths with Isner, a 22-year-old American just beginning to make a name for himself. By March 2009, Isner sought out help from Boynton, who eagerly accepted.
“I had the luxury of knowing John for about two years before we started working together,” Boynton said. “I was able to watch him, see his game develop. I knew him, and we got along well. It was really fun watching him impose his presence and come into his own in 2009 and 2010.”
Isner was well outside the Top 100 when the two began.
By the end of the year, he had surged more than 100 spots in the PIF ATP Rankings and made his first Round of 16 appearance at the US Open.
“He can adapt with the player for sure,” Isner said of Boynton’s coaching. “He was so instrumental in my success, getting me from outside the Top 100 to the Top 20, where I never left for a long time. I started working with CB and made my jump to the top tier of the game.”
Boynton’s jovial attitude and holistic coaching approach, which balances who the player is both on and off the court, was beneficial for Isner.
“For me in particular, he would know when to push me and when to scale back,” said Isner, who in his post-career activities co-hosts the Nothing Major podcast with Steve Johnson, Sam Querrey and Jack Sock. “He knew me, he listened to me. His work ethic is incredible, and he loves being on the court and always makes practice fun.”
Under Boynton’s three-year tenure, Isner reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final, made an ATP Masters 1000 final, and cracked the Top 10 for the first time in his career.
After his time with Isner, Boynton took on a role as a USTA Player Development coach, working with players like Donald Young and Sock.
Then, in 2019, Boynton began coaching Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.
When the two began working together, Hurkacz was just inside the Top 100. Under Boynton’s guidance, he reached his first Grand Slam semi-final, won two ATP Masters 1000 titles, and in August of this year, hit a career-high World No. 6.
“Hubi and I had five and a half great years. It was a wonderful ride,” Boynton said. “I understand these professional relationships will come to an end, but I’m proud of how close I still am with the players I’ve coached.
“I think one thing I’ll take away from my time with Hubi is how meaningful it was to work with a European player for five and a half years as an American coach. That doesn’t happen often, and I’m proud of both the relationship we built and the success we had together.”
Hurkacz shared the same sentiment as his former coach.
“One-of-a-kind ride! Grateful for all we have achieved as a team! Thank you, CB,” Hurkacz wrote on his Instagram story with a candid photo of the two sharing smiles on the court.
Boynton continues to love coaching and takes pride in knowing he’s making a positive impact on his players both on and off the court.
While he doesn’t envision himself stepping away from coaching, he’s looking forward to spending more time with family and travelling to the places he hasn’t already covered as part of his coaching journey.
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