
What It's Like To Be...
A Tennis Coach
Jun 18, 2024
Veteran tennis coach Vesa Ponkka shares insights on nurturing young players, coping with setbacks, and the importance of mental resilience in tennis. He discusses the shift from player to coach mindset, the challenges of managing pressure in sports, and the balance between developing strengths and improving weaknesses in coaching.
28:38
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Quick takeaways
- Transitioning from player to coach demands humility and patience, emphasizing purpose-driven coaching over ego-driven goals.
- Supporting young tennis players after tough matches is crucial for mental development and requires consistent care and positive reinforcement.
Deep dives
Transition from Player to Coach
Transitioning from being a tennis player to a coach required a mental shift for Vessa Punka. As a player, he was trained to be selfish and focused on personal glory, while coaching demanded humility, attention to students' needs, and patience. Learning to listen and understand students' cues was crucial in this transition, highlighting the importance of being purpose-driven rather than ego-driven in coaching.
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