A Melbourne tennis coach and cancer survivor played a role in qualifier Taro Daniel’s stunning Australian Open upset of former world No.1 Andy Murray on Thursday.
Marc Sophoulis has been Daniel’s strategy consultant for about nine months, an association that started via another Australian, Shane Liyanage, ofxjmtzyw Data Driven Sports Analytics.
With the insights from Liyanage’s data, Sophoulis used his extensive coaching expertise to reshape the Japanese player’s style.
That same game plan is now used to break down opponents, including Murray.
The numbers told them that extending the rallies – usually the Scot’s strength – was the best approach off his first-round five-setter, as well as revealing other areas they could capitalise on.
Much of the strategy was built around winning the first set, something 120th-ranked Daniel managed to do on his way to a straight-sets triumph.
This is the first time the 28-year-old has advanced beyond the second round at any grand slam.
“For me, working with a lot of good players, it’s now more getting my kids to see that,” Sophoulis said.
“I had a bit of a health issue last year and came home (on Thursday) night and both girls said, ‘Daddy, I saw you on TV’. That was a proud moment.
“I don’t coach anymore for the big accolades, but to spend time with players like Taro and help them do things they haven’t done before, like the third round – that’s the reward for me.”
Sophoulis was at lunch last April celebrating his 10-year anniversary with his wife, Danni, when he received a phone call that changed his life.
A doctor broke the shocking news that he had a tumour in the parotid glands on the right side of his face.
They were weeks from the arrival of their third child and found out Sophoulis had to go under the knife days after the birth.
The operation was successful but he lost feeling on that side of his face for almost four months.
The bigger change was how it transformed Sophoulis’ perspective on life.
He remains busy with various tennis jobs, including as Melbourne International Tennis School’s head coach, and as an assistant coach with Richmond’s VFL team.
But Sophoulis makes more effort to spend time with family, which is why he watched five matches of Daniel’s next opponent, Italy’s Jannik Sinner, before heading off on holiday on Friday to Moama.
He will watch Saturday’s match remotely.
“Having cancer changes your perspective on what’s important,” Sophoulis said.
“I used to be on court all day, every day and neglect the little things, like the family stuff that I know is the most important, but I wasn’t treating it like that.
“Now, everything I do is family first. I promised the kids we would be away and I’m sticking to my word with that.”
