Previous Players Coached:
Thiemo de Bakker (2007) Kiki Bertens
Coaching Career Highlights:
• Since he joined up with Kiki Bertens, the Dutch hopeful has risen from No.101 to a career-high of No.8 in the World. Additionally, she reached a career-high doubles ranking of No.16 in April of 2018
• Bertens’ 2016 season was highlighted by her career-best performance at the Grand Slam level, a semifinal finish at Roland Garros
• Other 2016 results included a quarterfinal finish in Hobart, two semifinal appearances in Rabat and Luxembourg, a runner-up finish at Gstaad and a title run in Nurnberg
• The team’s consistent results throughout the calendar-year helped her qualify for the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai for the first time
• In 2017, Sluiter helped Bertens assert herself yet again on the clay surface as she defended her Nurnberg title, captured the crown in Gstaad and produced a quarterfinal effort in Madrid followed by a semifinal finish in Rome
• Under Sluiter’s watch, the Dutchwoman turned in a career-year in 2018 when she captured the biggest title of her career at Cincinnati and produced a quarterfinal run at Wimbledon
• Other notable results included title runs in Charleston and Seoul and a runner-up finish in Madrid
• The duo’s consistent success throughout the year helped her qualify for the 2018 WTA Finals – becoming the first Dutchwoman to compete in singles at the year-end championship in 20 years
• The Dutch combo made more history in 2018 as Bertens broke into the WTA Top 10 to become the first woman from the Netherlands to reach this milestone in 22 years
• In 2019, the tandem advanced to the semifinal stage of Sydney and captured her eighth career title at St. Petersburg - holds an impressive 8-2 mark in finals
In 2023, began coaching Elina Svitolina
Playing Experience:
• Highest ATP Singles Ranking: 46
• Highest ATP Doubles Ranking: 97
The Dutch player rose to a career-high ranking of No.46 in February 2003 and later that year notched one of the biggest wins of his career when he stunned 20th seed and former World No.1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov in five sets in the first round of the Wimbledon Championships. He went on to reach four ATP singles finals in his native country of the Netherlands and reached the semi-finals of the Davis Cup with the Dutch team in 2001. Was selected to the ATP Player Council for the 2004-06 term. Sluiter announced his retirement in February 2008 prior to returning to the pro tour in April 2009. In June of that year he reached the final of the Ordina Open, becoming the lowest ranked professional player (866th) in history to reach an ATP final.
Personal:
Began playing tennis at age six with his older brother Maurice, who teaches tennis in his hometown of Rotterdam. Prior to joining Kiki Bertens on tour, he worked for the Dutch Tennis Federation for two years. Hobbies include playing soccer, his favorite team is Feyenoord in Rotterdam. Also enjoys listening to Lenny Kravitz and Pearl Jam.