Darren Cahill has announced the end of his four-year coaching relationship with world number one Simona Halep.

The highly-regarded Australian guided Romanian Halep to the top of the rankings and to a long-awaited grand slam title this summer when she won the French Open in her fourth slam final.

Announcing the split on Instagram, Cahill said he wanted to spend more time with his family and would be taking a year off from coaching.

“I wish Simo and her team nothing but continued success and I look forward to supporting her from the sidelines next year.”

Cahill and Halep were seen as having one of the closest coaching relationships on tour, although it was not always smooth sailing.

Cahill was so unhappy with Halep’s negative attitude during a loss to Johanna Konta in Miami last year that they briefly parted, although he was back in her corner a month later.

Halep wrote on Twitter: “Thank you so much @darren_cahill for all your hard work and incredible support over the past four years. I was lucky to have you and what a journey we had. Wishing you and your family nothing but the best and I’m sure I’ll see you soon!”