Players
Ellen Perez
Paul has just begin working with Ellen Perez, who is Australia’s highest ranked doubles player.
Ellen will be playing Australian Open 2026 with Demi Schuurs, who is another highly credentialed doubles player coached by Philippe Goijens.
Ellen has been ranked as high as #7 in the world, with 8 WTA doubles titles, and has reached two Grand Slam doubles semi finals.
Paul sees much potential in her game, with her serve, her volleying skills and her movement as key weapons.
“She also brings the joy, the X factor, and Ellen being an Aussie is heart warming for an Aussie like me too”.
Su wei Hsieh
Paul had the pleasure of working with Su wei for 13 years, beginning at Wimbledon 2012 and concluding at Wimbledon 2025 (where Su wei and Jelena Ostapenko reached the final). In that period, Su wei won four doubles titles and one mixed doubles title at the All England Club.
What he immediately recognised was the potential of a true weapon which, in her case, is a killer finishing volley on both sides. Su wei was bemused when he said it could become the best finishing volley in the world, which indeed it became. This is consistent with his philosophy of a player needing to develop true weapons, prior to working on weaknesses.
Initially this assisted Su wei becoming a great doubles player, and ultimately No.1 in the world on and off over a period spanning more than ten years. Su wei also became a highly credentialed top 25 singles player, with wins over world No.1 (at the time) Simona Halep at Wimbledon, the reigning Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza at the Australian Open and world No.1 Naomi Osaka in Miami, amongst others.
Su wei won three WTA singles titles and became the oldest first time Grand Slam singles quarter finalist at the 2021 Australian Open.
The other key to Su wei’s doubles success is her ability to play a different role depending on her partner. Paul’s philosophy is that role-playing is a vital component of doubles success, and therefore needs to be reflected in the all important set up for the team.
Using this strategy, Su wei has won nine Grand Slam titles, including five Wimbledon doubles titles with four different partners, playing a different role in each.
Quoting Paul “My partnership with Su wei reaped rewards far exceeding anyone’s expectations. We have a bond and friendship which will endure, and I wish she and her family the best of success in tennis and in life”.
Yanaki Milev
Paul and Elena began working with Yanaki in 2021.
At a training camp in Plovdiv Bulgaria, where around 20 juniors were preparing, Paul noticed an ‘uncut diamond’ on a back court, a player who’s game and passion needed to be harnessed. His name was Yanaki Milev.
Paul saw the potential for weapons, beginning with his big forehand, and Yanaki’s coach and father, Milko, saw the advantages of reaching out to Elena for mental coaching.
Within a year, Yanaki was able to go from 800 in juniors to top 100, and No.1 junior in Bulgaria, ready to begin the transition to the pro game. From 2024, Yanaki has moved from 1100 to his current 700 ranking.
Paul’s philosophy is that it is very important to take doubles seriously, as for many players this is the pathway to surviving financially and initially making it onto the Pro Tour, followed by breaking through in singles.
Yanaki has won three Futures singles and one doubles title, as well as winning a round of doubles at an ATP 250 (Sofia Open) where Paul and Elena worked with Yanaki and his partner Pyotr Nesterov on the strategic and mental set up (see What is the secret of thriving teams? In Business and in Sports which was published in Forbes, Bulgaria).
Yanaki has now joined Team Dunlop and is on the journey.
