Chris Bint's Insights on Coaching Janice Tjen: A Year of Growth and Challenges

Last year marked a turning point for coach Chris Bint and his player Janice Tjen, as they prepared for a significant milestone at the US Open.

Tjen, then ranked outside the top 140, had yet to feature in the main draw of a Tour-level event. Her breakthrough came at Flushing Meadows, where she navigated through three qualifying rounds and pulled off a surprise victory against 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova, becoming the first player from Indonesia to win a main draw match at the US Open in over 20 years.

Fast forward to now, Tjen has claimed her first WTA title in India and is currently ranked 35th globally. Only Alexandra Eala from Southeast Asia has achieved a higher ranking, reaching 18th in the Open Era.

Reflecting on Tjen's growth, Bint stated, “There’s been a lot of firsts for Janice. Gaining experience at major tournaments and competing against top players consistently has been vital for her development across different surfaces.”

Bint has been particularly impressed with Tjen's eagerness to learn and adapt during their year on the Tour. “Her willingness to improve is a strong asset. The data from our analyst shows her positive trajectory,” he noted.

This season, Tjen has shown competitive spirit despite a tough start with an 11-21 win-loss record, including notable matches against top 20 players and a match against former world No.1 Karolina Pliskova. She has reached the round of 16 in four tournaments, showcasing her potential even amidst challenges.

Analyzing Tjen's Development

Bint acknowledges that Tjen's transition to the professional circuit is a work in progress. Having played for the University of Oregon and Pepperdine University before turning professional, she carries both experience and areas for growth.

“A growth mindset is essential,” Bint explained. “To be competitive on the WTA Tour, especially to reach the top 100, you need to constantly seek improvement.”

Improving tactical awareness and shot selection has been a focus in their training. Bint emphasizes the importance of balancing aggression with control, noting how Tjen is learning when to be proactive with her forehand and when to use a more measured approach.

On the backhand side, Bint is working with Tjen to mix in slices effectively, aiming to disrupt opponents’ rhythm and enhance her two-handed topspin backhand to adapt and redirect pace during matches. An interesting target they’ve set for her is to achieve a first serve speed of 200 km/h.

Experiences on the WTA Tour

Bint, who has nearly two decades of coaching experience, finds that his role as a coach on the WTA Tour presents unique challenges and insights. His previous work included a position as High Performance Director at Lavie Tennis Academy in Auckland and a National Performance Coach for Tennis New Zealand. However, coaching on the main Tour has a different intensity.

“Coaching is coaching,” Bint noted, but he recognizes that the professionalism and commitment on the WTA Tour surpasses what he experienced in lower-tier competitions.

“Players ranked between 35-70 face rigorous demands, needing to participate in numerous tournaments due to mandatory events,” he explained. Such a grueling schedule requires deft planning and scheduling, which Bint is learning to navigate effectively.

Securing enough practice time during tournaments can sometimes be a challenge. Bint usually manages to carve out an hour a day but often has to adjust to early starts or late sessions to accommodate Tjen’s needs.

Traveling extensively has also proven taxing. Tjen's current season has taken her across multiple continents, competing in various countries from Australia to Canada. The logistics can be overwhelming, yet Bint sees it as normal for a professional athlete.

He leverages long-haul flights to maximize productivity, using that time for planning and analyzing match footage, which allows him to rest once they reach their next destination.

During downtime, Bint emphasizes the importance of self-care, whether through board games, watching shows, or staying connected with family. However, the demands of coaching often mean that personal time is at a premium. “When not training or competing, you’re scouting the next opponent or planning sessions,” he explained.

After a year of challenges and accolades on the Tour, Bint has learned the pivotal balance between improving Tjen’s performance on the court and ensuring she has adequate recovery time to maintain her health. “That’s fundamental, both physically and mentally,” he shared.

Looking ahead, Tjen is set to compete in her fifth Grand Slam main draw at the upcoming US Open. Having won at least one match in three of her previous four Grand Slam appearances, she is aiming to advance beyond the second round this time around.