Nigel Sears has phoned home regularly from his Californian hotel room this week.

The coach of Daniela Hantuchova chatted in time off from preparing his charge for the defence of her first major title at Indian Wells.

House renovations, horses and drama lessons have been staple subjects before his son Scott ends the conversations with: "See you in ages."

It is a routine Sears is used to as he guides the career of a player regarded as one of the biggest threat to the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, in women's tennis.

He misses his family and where his home. "Sussex is one of the best places in the world," he says.

Sears is abroad for six months of the year. It is a sacrifice. For every up there is a down.

He said: "I'm not going to whine about what make tennis on the tour difficult when it has so many positive paybacks.

"I wouldn't swap it for the world and fortunately I have an understanding family around me.

"I look upon it as a privilege to work at the top end so it so it is no hardship for me. I love doing what I'm doing and it is not forever. I owe tennis a lot and my family comes with me when it fits into the work schedule."

It was hardly surprising we spoke of his nearest and dearest over coffee in the restaurant at Brighton, Health and Racquets Club, Falmer. His wife Leonore and 10-year-old Scott were seated at our table. He flew out to the west coast of America the following morning.

Leonore was happy to cross Indian Wells off her nice places to visit as she has a house to build in Spithurst.

Sears calls her his "project manager" on their new home which will include a tennis court for Scott.

His professional project, of course, is Hantuchova. He has helped fast-track her to world No.6 in under two years.

The Slovakian has reached the quarter-finals of the last three Grand Slams (Wimbledon, the US Open and Australia). She has made three quarter-finals and one semi-final already this year and her rise up the rankings has been a rapid one.

Sears said: "I couldn't have asked for it to go a lot better and she's got a very exciting year ahead of her. In two of her tournaments this year she's only lost to Venus."

Sears knows Indian Wells is another milestone.

"It's an interesting test for her to see how she deals with the pressure of being defending champion."

Sears, who previously coached former leading players Amanda Coetzer and Barbara Schett, is delighted with the way Hantuchova has reacted after impressing last year.

He said: "A lot struggle because there's so many points to defend. There is the pressure of expectation. Everything she does is in the public eye, she's a marquee player. Daniela can't hide. She knows she has to deal with it and she does."

Sears believes she has the potential to rival the Williams sisters and get to No.1.

"The Williams's have taken women's tennis to a new level and are working even harder this year. That's the challenge for players in the bunch behind, which includes Daniela.

"She serves well, has big shots both sides, can take the pace off the ball, use angles and touch and she's not scared of the Williams sisters like some.

"As long as she keeps working hard and stays healthy she can achieve her goals."

The Anna Kournikova Factor, which has seen image overtake tennis prowess, will never apply to Hantuchova, says Sears, despite her good looks.

"She deals with it very well. There are plenty of positive spin-offs when you are a very marketable sports person which she obviously is. The most important thing in her life is her tennis. She's focussed."

Preparation is thorough.

"We went to South Africa before Australia and that gave her a very good bank of fitness that will pay off throughout the year. She worked hard," added Sears.

Part of her training includes visits to Falmer. "We come here prior to Eastbourne and use it as a bad weather haven if the infamous British weather strikes during the tournament. We sometimes come here to prepare for indoor tournaments.

"They have a wonderfully progressive attitude. They give me the chance to work with someone of Scott's level and also Daniela's."

Sears also coaches British No.2 Julie Pullin.

"My work with her is limited because of our schedules," he admitted.

"She is at transition point. A nasty shoulder injury has held her back over the past year. She's been on the tour a long time and needs to decide which direction to go, whether it is worth having surgery or not.

"She's a lovely girl and works very hard. Julie will certainly give it a good go through this year and even though she's had a hard time she still hits a pretty good ball."

Sears cares about the British game. After Hantuchova won Indian Wells 12 months ago, he was openly critical of his former employees the LTA.

"I am grateful for the experience they gave me, but I stand by what I said last year. There are too many bluffers and pretenders.

"British tennis is in a mess. Patrice (Hagelauer) has improved things slightly as performance director but there still needs to be a radical overhaul.

"One way forward would be to nurture promising coaches like James Trotman, who used to play with Martin Lee, and those with international experience."

Sears himself seems to fit the bill, but the appointment of Tim Henman's former coach, David Felgate, as Hagelauer's successor this week ended any speculation.

The former British Davis Cup No.2 would not have considered the job, but with Hantuchova blossoming his roots remain on the world tour.

Yet he may yet return to the domestic scene. "Perhaps the day might come when I've got something to offer British tennis," he adds.

Until then he plots the downfall of Serena and Venus in between long-distance calls.