Luke Saville's seamless transition into fatherhood and coaching

(Daria Saville/Instagram)

Luke Saville has been one of the most well-liked players from Australia over the last 15 years, and since his retirement, he has made the transition into coaching and, of course, fatherhood.

The former Australian Open doubles finalist’s wife, Dasha, gave birth to their son, Louie, earlier this year.

The 32-year-old says that despite the gargantuan shift with a newborn, their lives have definitely changed for the better.

"Fatherhood, we've just had Louie, who's just over three months, and it's been a crazy few months," Saville told The First Serve.

"I've still travelled a little bit, but Dasher and I are just absolutely lapping it up, we're loving it.

"He's really changed our life for the better, and there's a true perspective there, and just coming home to him.

"There's a great excitement, and just seeing someone grow up. It's quite an amazing experience, so bringing someone into the world and having to look after them is amazing and just hoping that I can take in everything I learnt from my great parents and guide all of that onto him."

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Saville is quick to pay tribute to his wife, an adored player in her own right, labelling her a sensational mother who has allowed him to pursue a burgeoning coaching career.

In addition, the new arrival has allowed their priorities in life to shift in a wonderful direction, with all the stresses of one's work day dwindling once arriving home to their son.

"I'd love to make a shout out to my wife Dasher, she has really shouldered a lot of the load, and that's the same as her mum, Natasha, who's been living in Australia," he said.

"We're truly blessed and fortunate and grateful to have a lot of support here at the moment, which has allowed me to do my job, which is great, and it's really changed Dasha.

"I've seen the positive impact on her and just the priorities we have in our life now, which is probably the biggest thing. 

"I just feel like no matter how sort of stressful your day is, you come home to Louie, and it seems to be all okay."

When it came to the end of his playing career, the now-Melbourne native knew that he was ready to hang up the racquet, but he admits that it took some time to figure out what his next focus would be.

After taking a year to travel with Dasha, undertaking some private projects and working with the Alex de Minaur foundation, Saville realised that staying in tennis was going to be the main goal.

He has desired to help the next generation achieve their dreams, and that is exactly where the popular figure has landed.

"I was very ready to retire and had felt like I'd emptied the fuel tank in my playing career," he admitted.

"I took a year to travel with Dasha for a little bit, which I really enjoyed, and I did some bits and pieces with the de Minaur foundation, travelling and some private gigs and just working out really what I wanted to do.

"I knew I wanted to stay in tennis, and now I feel like I've landed at my favourite spot in ultimately trying to help our next crop of juniors here in Melbourne, and I'm really enjoying the new job at Tennis Australia.

"It is a role where I feel like I can ultimately make the biggest impact on the next generation, which is truly my passion moving forward in my career."

The South Australian-born Saville admits that finding purpose was the most challenging facet of retirement, especially due to the fact that tennis players need to put themselves first to carve out a decent career.

While still narrowing his search, he is finding it with his guidance of the nation's juniors in the hope that Australian tennis will rise to prominence once more.

"The biggest challenge before Louie was just finding some purpose in my day because it had always been revolved around myself and my own career, and now with coaching it's about someone else," Saville said.

"For me, it's finding that sort of internal purpose for me day in day out, whether it's staying in shape or whatever it might be.

"So I'm still figuring that out to be honest, but I feel like I'm getting closer to that and still really love watching matches.

"I just felt like the time was right to make this next transition."

When it comes to the coaching aspect, Saville has recently been on the Gold Coast with some Australian juniors as he continues to learn and develop within the space.

Despite getting into the role quickly, enjoyment has come immediately, and he is relishing the opportunity to continue to grow his knowledge and enhance his capabilities.

"I've transitioned into some coaching and got into it pretty fast, and I'm really enjoying it and improving at the same time," he said.

"I feel like I was always a big student of the game, and my IQ was good, and what I see, but actually going about implementing a change is probably the biggest thing that I'm learning is my biggest weakness in coaching.

"I'm definitely improving at that, and I feel like, for a tennis player, I was quite a selfless person, so looking after others, coaching them and having their interests at hand is something I’m built for.

"My journey was very unique, so I think I can have a really positive impact and influential impact on the next generation of juniors coming through."

Looking ahead to the long-term goals, the former ATP doubles No.23 and junior world No.1 wants to remain a coach as he has developed a significant passion for the position since leaving the tour behind.

His hunger to help Australian tennis burns deep, and Saville strives to give back to the sport that has given him so much.

"I see myself staying in this for the long term, and there's a true and immense fire to help Australian tennis, and I feel like where I am at Tennis Australia is definitely a stepping stone into that," he said.

"I think with my journey and the age bracket that I work with, being the 13 to 17 age range, it is very important, and I can help them develop.

"I'm learning a lot from my head coach and boss, Stephen Huss. I think he's an incredible boss and has so much expertise and experience. I'm absolutely loving that.

"In terms of experiences and the contacts I've made, I've got so many great mentors and friends who are fantastic coaches, so I feel truly blessed with that.

"I can pick up the phone and call some of the best tennis brains in the world, which is incredible.

"I really feel like I've got a lot to offer and I'm by no means a finished product because I've got so much to learn in the coaching world, but in saying that, I also feel like I've got a lot to offer already by 20 plus years playing this great sport."

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