British number one Johanna Konta hopes she will be "better equipped to deal with challenges on court" after linking up with new coach Dimitri Zavialoff.
Konta hired Zavialoff on a permanent basis after reaching the Kremlin Cup semi-finals in October while working with him on a trial.
She says they have had a "very strong pre-season" which leaves her positive about her chances in 2019.
"He is teaching me to be quite self-sufficient on court," said Konta, 27.
"It is much more of a partnership than I have had in previous coaching relationships."
Konta, who parted company with American coach Michael Joyce in October, reached a career-high ranking of fourth in 2017 but goes into the new year 37th.