RYAN Peniston’s coach is keen to keep the pressure off the Great Wakering ace at Wimbledon this week.
Peniston will take on Switzerland’s Henri Laaksonen in the first round of SW19 on Monday.
But Mark Taylor, who has worked with Peniston on a more regular basis since January, will not be looking too far ahead.
“We approach everything the same way and it’s about getting the best performance we can in every single match,” Taylor told Echosport.
“We’ve done that since we started working together and we have a list of things we want to achieve in every match that we go through.
“If Ryan does that then it gives him the best chance to win the match.
“If you think too much or focus on reaching certain rounds or players it just puts too much pressure on.
“But if he focuses on sticking to his game style, playing the way he wants and being positive along with his great attitude then he gives himself a good chance.”
Peniston will be heading to Wimbledon on a high after reaching four quarter-finals in succession during a fine run of form which has increased the attention coming his way.
But Taylor feels Peniston’s progression began long before the current grass court season.
“Everyone has seen the grass court matches because they’re on TV but throughout the last 18 months, it’s been a real progression,” said Taylor.
“Ryan started off playing in qualifying for challengers.
“He made quarter-finals, then finals then he beat some people ranked 200, then some ranked 120 then (Adrian) Mannarino at Surbiton, then the guys at Queen’s.
“There’s been real progression in his game and it’s been good to do.”
Peniston has now worked his way up to 147 in the world rankings.
And Taylor thoroughly enjoys helping to guide the 26-year-old.
“It’s fantastic and I really enjoy working with him,” said Taylor.
“I’ve got a good group of lads that I work with but mostly I work with Ryan and Alastair Gray.
“They’re both keen to learn and work hard.
“Ryan is someone you can challenge and he’s respectful too.
“He has a great attitude and is a good lad.”
Taylor has formed close partnership with Peniston and the duo first teamed up together at the JTC Academy.
“It was at the end of lockdown and Ryan came to the academy in London,” recalled Taylor.
“I took a few sessions with him and we got on well. Come January we did a block of training and we started to work together from then on.
“It’s been fantastic and Wimbledon will be a really exciting time.”
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