This was a player-coach arrangement that stood out on tour, given the duo’s respective ages.
Zaniewska, who peaked at world No.142 seven years ago, is a year younger than her charge.
While not prevalent in the men’s game, Martic is among an increasing number of players on the women’s tour putting their faith in younger, less experienced coaches.
“True [it feels like validation],” Martic said after beating Kaia Kanepi on Sunday. “When I started working with her, everybody was doubting my decision. People underestimated it, people even laughed at it, said I did a crazy thing, what am I doing?
“I'm not serious about my career because she's so young and inexperienced. But I always knew. I heard this girl talking about tennis and I knew she knows what she's doing. “
Rising Greek player Maria Sakkari is another who has made great strides this season with a maiden WTA title coming in Rabat last month and a subsequent debut in the world’s top 30.
She attributes a large part of that rise to the influence of her coach, Tom Hill.
At 24, Hill is only a matter of months older than Sakkari.
Following her opening-round victory in Paris, Sakkari was asked about being coached by someone her age.
“Well, it is different, I have to tell you, because I always had older coaches,” Sakkari laughed. “I never had a very old coach. Last one was my grandfather.
“But it's quite nice. Because we're [Tom and I are] very good friends, as well, so we do stuff together.
“And I remember in San Jose we were riding the scooters for, like, 45 minutes. So I wouldn't be able to do it with my grandfather, I assume. So it's quite cool. We can spend time together like friends.”
Mutual respect
Another young Brit, Andrew Bettles, has fast worked his way up to a full-time coaching role for established top-tenner, Elina Svitolina.
The 25-year-old, a former hitting partner of Ana Ivanovic, joined the Ukrainian’s team in 2017 and has since played a part in guiding her to her biggest career title to date, the WTA Finals in November.
Bettles officially took over as her main coach in the off-season and was asked during this year’s Australian Open whether it was a problem being younger, without the inherent authority older coaches were fortunate to possess.
“I don’t think so. She respects me and I’ve worked and earned her trust and respect really, over the years we’ve been working,” Bettles said.
“I don’t think the age thing makes a difference. We’re both adults. It’s just the respect is there and that’s that.”