#57: Hugo Ekker – Preparing a Junior for the Pro Circuit

Hugo has been traveling on the professional circuit ever since 1987 and has worked with a multitude of top 100 players including Miriam Oremans, Martin Verkerk, Peter Wessels, Thiemo De Bakker & Raemon Sluiter. From 2003-2006 he was Davis Cup Coach for the Netherlands & worked as the National coach for the Dutch Tennis Federation from 2007-2012. Currently Hugo is a consultant for players, coaches & tennis organisations

You’ll get to know:

– How to prepare a Junior for the Pro Circuit
– How Win/loss ratio affects self-confidence
– Why Coco Vandewedge has a great serve

Enjoy the show!

Timestamps
01:30 Preparing a junior for the pro circuit
05:20 The developmental plan at KNLTB
07:20 The last 20 % technically
09:20 Late change in technique
11:37 Character & game identity
13:50 Gameidentity
15:50 Preferred win/loss ratio
18:40 Scheduling & confidence
19:45 Main lessons learned on the tour
23:10 The ones that didn’t look good
24:30 Raemon Sluiter
29:00 Peter Wessels
32:00 The serve of American Women
33:55 Why the American women are serving better
34:35 How Hugo gets better
37:30 Hugo’s inspirations
40:00 The plumber with the hammer
41:30 Academy programs like a menu
43:00 Don’t get too fancy
44:30 Has to be the player’s process
46:10 The lifestyle of a player
48:20 Hugo’s advice