SINGAPORE - Rennae Stubbs knows exactly what it feels like to be stuck in a negative tailspin on the match court. Which is why she's the perfect voice in the ear of World No.8 Karolina Pliskova.

The former doubles No.1 is relishing her role as Pliskova's coach, reuniting with the 26-year-old Czech this summer. With her ESPN commentary role occupying too much of her time to sign on as a full-time traveling coach, Stubbs helped bring on her good friend Conchita Martinez as well, and the three have formed a formidable bond over the last few months. Earlier this week, Pliskova confirmed the arrangement would continue through the off-season and Australian Open. 

"Trust me, I have traveled enough," Stubbs told reporters at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global. "I don't want to do this anymore, but it's hard to walk away from someone like her."

"I think just understanding that we have been there, both Conchie and I and females obviously understand each other a little bit more, the emotions of it, but also as past players. We have been there. 

"I know what it feels like to choke. I know what it feels like to be in a situation where I would have preferred to be up a set and 4-1. I'm not going to go out there and be hard on her. I'm going to make her realize that there's positives to where she's at.

"Obviously the Czechs all have coached each other and it's like, Well, who's coaching who now? It's kind of a bit of a joke in the tour. Maybe she just wanted out of that mix. I think she just wanted out of that situation and wanted a fresh thought process. 

"Spanish and Australian is very different to Czech. She's not young. She's not 21. This is a player that sort of has been around and knows what she wants for herself now."

"She's just a great kid. I just enjoy her. If I can make her better in any way, that's all I want. I have no ego in this. I really just want her to be a better player and to get better as a player, and, you know, discover what her best really is. Because she's just such a good person to be around."

Listen to an exclusive interview with Stubbs on the newest episode of the WTA Insider Podcast below.