Beatriz Haddad Maia has announced that she and longtime coach Rafael Paciaroni have gone their own way, closing a chapter that has reshaped modern Brazilian tennis. The announcement comes at a difficult time for the 29-year-old, who has struggled to find momentum of late, managing just one win in her last six matches.
Their collaboration started in 2020when Haddad Maia was far from the spotlight and buried deep in the rankings. In the years that followed, that partnership evolved into one of the most impactful coach-player stories in the nation’s sports history. Under Paciaroni’s guidance, she made a remarkable ascent, breaking into the WTA elite and eventually gaining a place the first Brazilian woman of the Open Era to reach the Top 10 in singles.
Now ranked 67th in the world, Haddad Maia addressed the change directly with fans via social media, citing her collaborations with Paciaroni as the most intense, happiest and most difficult moments of her career for which she will be forever grateful. The Brazilian emphasized that her former coach taught her the value of hard work and trust in the process as the most essential principles in tennis. She also offered special thanks for his belief in her and for continually pushing her outside her comfort zone.
“Our legacy and mark on Brazilian tennis are eternal.” Haddad Maia stated in her announcement. “Thank you for standing by me during the most difficult moments, when most people walked away and lost confidence.”
In addition to the Top 10 rankings, highlights of their partnership include the 2023 Roland Garros singles semi-finals, as well as titles in Seoul, Nottingham, Birmingham and WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai.
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