The Functional Tennis Podcast Claudio Pistolesi - 26 Years coaching with passion and enthusiasm
Apr 25, 2022
Claudio Pistolesi, a former pro player turned coach, shares his wealth of experience from the tennis world. He discusses his fascinating encounters with legends like Pete Sampras and Monica Seles, revealing the mental habits that define success. Claudio also dives into his coaching journey, highlighting his work with players such as Robin Soderling and Emil Ruusuvuori. He emphasizes the importance of individual development timelines in junior tennis while reflecting on the cultural shifts he's experienced since moving to the U.S.
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How He Became 'The Original Pistol'
- Claudio earned the nickname "the original Pistol" after playing Pete Sampras in Rome and joking about his surname Pistolesi.
- He lost 3-2 but left an impression that led Sampras to call him "original" thereafter.
Practice The First Three Shots
- Claudio observes most points are decided in the first three shots, so practice must prioritise serve and return situations.
- He prefers situational practice over isolated shot repetition to better prepare players for matches.
From Player To Hitting Partner With Seles
- Claudio transitioned into coaching while still playing after helping Takao Suzuki and later becoming Monica Seles' hitting partner during her comeback.
- Daily hours practicing with Seles taught him the mentality and habits of a world number one.