The Spirit of Coaching Award – “The FlorEy Award”

In honoring the life of beloved former WTA tour coach and ATP tour player Andrew Florent, the WTCA named its ‘Spirit of Coaching’ award after him.

Andrew Florent was a much loved and respected member of the global tennis community. We will always remember Andrew as a charismatic, generous, and fun-loving personality after the Australian doubles specialist passed away, aged 45.

Florent waged a spirited fight after first being diagnosed in January 2013 with bowel cancer, which subsequently spread to his liver. At the time he was told he had between three and 18 months to live, but he fought on bravely for three-and-a-half years and even competed in the legends’ doubles at the Australian Open 2014.

Florent is survived by his wife Rachael and their two sons, Ollie and Jai.

“Florey could light up a room like no other. He was the life of the party and never took himself too seriously,” said his close friend and former doubles partner Paul Kilderry.

Long-time doubles partner Josh Eagle said Florent had an “insatiable zest for life”. – (Tennis.com.au 17 August 2016)

Award Criteria

WTCA CEO, Sarah Stone, reached out to Andrew’s wife seeking her blessing in naming the award after him.

Stone shared with Rachael that “our criteria for the coach that will be selected to win the Florey award was created by me when I spent time with the player I currently coach. It was simple, she said tell me all of the things you loved about Andrew.”

-Treats others with respect

-Acts in a professional manner

-Displays good sportsmanship

-Caring and kind to others

-Supportive of their player/s

-A supporter of women’s tennis

Sarah added, “Florey was a friend to all of us in the tennis world and a person who personally made me feel so valued as I navigated the rigors of the WTA tour. As you know, he was loved by everyone and is dearly missed.”

2019 Florey Award Winner – Max Filippov

On August 25, 2019, we announced the winner of the WTCA coach of the year. ‘The Spirit of Coaching Award’ Maxim Filippov from Kazakhstan. Maxim has been working on the WTA tour for several years now. He has been a member of WTCA since the very beginning and has an excellent reputation on the professional tour.

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2018 Florey Award Winner – David Witt

David Witt coach of Venus Williams was named the winner of the 2018  ‘Florey Award’.  Witt hopes that he can continue to display these same values that Andrew Florent stood for in his future coaching endeavors. “It comes back to this award and what Andrew did so well as a coach,” he said. “With young players coming up, no matter the federation, you have to have the right coaching in place to take these athletes to the next level. As coaches, we have to work on building that trust so that more female athletes will continue to play our sport.”

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Inaugural Florey Award Winner – Nicole Pratt

Nicole Pratt was named the winner of the inaugural ‘Florey Award’. Fittingly, the Australian Fed Cup captain was once Flory’s mixed doubles partner. The WTCA board nominated 6 finalists; Jeremy Bates, James Jackson, Kevin O’Neill, Kathy Rinaldi, Can Uner and Nicole Pratt. The winner was voted on by a 30,000 strong WTCA social media community.

The Magnanimous Andrew Florent

Coaching Highlights:

  • Alicia Molik
  • Megan Shaughnessy
  • Mark Philippoussis

Playing Career Highlights:

Career High Doubles Ranking: 13 – 30/04/2001

Career titles:

  • 1999 – St. Polten (CL) – w/A. OLHOVSKIY;
  • 1998 – Adelaide (H) – w/J. EAGLE;
  • 1995 – Perth Challenger (IH) – w/J. EAGLE;
  • 1994 – Furth Challenger (CL) – w/V. FLEGL; St. Polten (CL) – w/V. FLEGL;
  • 1993 – Kuala Lumpur Challenger I (H) – w/J. EAGLE; Adelaide Challenger (G) – w/J. EAGLE; Launceston Challenger (IC) – w/J. EAGLE;