Vlad Bunoan

Article (news)

Raymond Sarmiento

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17782323344331778220961595491.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Raymond Sarmiento </div>Filipino-American coach Raymond Sarmiento is embracing life on the professional tennis tour as he continues guiding rising American star Zachary Svajda through a breakthrough season at the Italian Open in Rome.Sarmiento, who reached a career-high ATP ranking inside the top 300 during his playing days, has transitioned into coaching and is now nearing one full year working with Svajda.“He started at 240, and now he’s 83 in the world,” Sarmiento said, highlighting the rapid rise of the 23-year-old American under their partnership.The 33-year-old coach said he has enjoyed seeing the game from a different perspective after years competing professionally himself.“I love it. There’s a lot of similarities to playing myself on tour, but you just kind of see the game a little differently off the court,” Sarmiento shared. “But it’s mostly about how to connect with your player and communicate with your player in a way that is effective.”Sarmiento, who played collegiate tennis for University of Southern California and became a five-time All-American, said coaching is not just about tactics but also helping players navigate the grind of life on tour.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/5/8/tennis-analyst-craig-shapiro-expects-another-tight-match-for-alex-eala-in-italian-open-1706">READ: Tennis analyst Craig Shapiro expects another ‘tight match’ for Alex Eala in Italian Open </a></div>“I think it’s all about perspective and having a balance,” he said. “When you’re on the road a lot and week in, week out, you get lost in the monotony of it.”Despite spending around 35 to 40 weeks traveling this year, Sarmiento said he enjoys the lifestyle that comes with the global tennis circuit.“I view it as a lifestyle. You go to these nice cities, nice towns, and meet a bunch of new people,” he said. “I eat a lot of good Italian food here in Rome. Last week was Madrid, next week maybe Geneva, and then the French Open.”The Filipino-American coach also praised combined ATP and WTA tournaments such as the Italian Open, saying the atmosphere benefits both players and fans.“It’s a great environment,” he said. “I think especially this place where it’s big enough, it’s a great tournament to host both women and men.”Sarmiento and Svajda were preparing for a major clash against Casper Ruud, with the coach emphasizing the importance of staying focused on their own game plan.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/5/7/alex-eala-finding-her-footing-on-clay-as-she-aims-to-advance-in-italian-open-1820">READ: Alex Eala finding her footing on clay as she aims to advance in Italian Open </a></div>“At the end of the day, it’s what you can control on your side and how you can execute and have some fun with it,” he said.Aside from coaching duties, Sarmiento still keeps himself active physically, often exploring cities through running sessions while traveling on tour. “New cities, I like to run around the city,” he said.Sarmiento also revealed that one of his long-time dreams is to eventually represent the Philippines in the Davis Cup.“That’s been one of my dreams — to go and put on the Philippine flag and support and represent in that way,” he said.The Filipino-American coach also briefly crossed paths with rising Filipina tennis star Alex Eala during the tournament in Rome.“She looks like she’s in the zone,” Sarmiento said of Eala, who has drawn strong support from Filipino fans throughout the event.He likewise had high praise for the iconic Stadio Pietrangeli, calling it “one of the top five courts” after visiting the picturesque venue inside the Foro Italico complex.Sarmiento has a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 287 achieved on September 11, 2017 and a career-high ATP doubles ranking of No. 386 on March 7, 2016.

Filipino-American coach Raymond Sarmiento is embracing life on the professional tennis tour as he continues guiding rising American star Zachary Svajda through a breakthrough season at the Italian Open in Rome.

Filipino-American coach Raymond Sarmiento is embracing life on the professional tennis tour as he continues guiding rising American star Zachary Svajda through a breakthrough season at the Italian Open in Rome.

Fil-Am Raymond Sarmiento embraces life as ATP coach; praises Eala for being ‘in the zone’

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Fil-Am Raymond Sarmiento embraces life as ATP coach; praises Eala for being ‘in the zone’

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 08, 2026 05:43 PM PHT

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tennis

Raymond Sarmiento

Alex Eala

Zachary Svajda

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