The Functional Tennis Podcast

This week on the Functional Tennis Podcast I’m joined once again by Portuguese player Jaime Faria, who continues to make strides on the ATP Tour.Since our last chat, Jaime has broken into the top 100, won two Challenger titles, and battled through Grand Slam qualifying winning 11 of his last 12 matches and even sneaking into the US Open as a lucky loser. One of the standout moments of his year was facing Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, an experience that gave him a clear view of what it takes to compete with the very best.In this episode, Jaime shares what he learned from that match, the challenges of staying inside the top 100, the grind of playing qualies, and whether he still enjoys the process as much as he once did.🔑 Key Topics:🎾 Lessons from playing Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open🏆 Breaking into the top 100 and winning Challengers🚪 Getting into the US Open as a lucky loser💪 The mental and physical grind of Slam qualifying🧠 Staying motivated and enjoying the processA real behind-the-scenes look at the ups and downs of life on tour from one of Portugal’s rising stars.This podcast is sponsored by ASICS. ASICS is a Japanese company founded in 1949 to give more people the opportunity to experience how sports and movement can have a positive impact on mental well-being.To learn more about ASICS visit their website here: https://www.asics.com/nl/en-nl/sports/tennis/Find us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@functionaltennisYouTube: Functional Tennis Podcast

This week on the Functional Tennis Podcast, I’m joined once again by Garry Cahill, one of Ireland’s most respected coaches, former Davis Cup captain, and Performance Director at Tennis Ireland.In this episode, Garry dives into the realities of tennis parenting and why every family’s journey is unique. He explains why no two kids are the same, why parents shouldn’t try to copy someone else’s pathway, and how circumstances from finances to geography to coaching support, make every story different.We also talk about the challenges parents face in the early years, how to handle the car ride home after a loss, the importance of communication with coaches, and why there’s no one-size-fits-all manual for raising a tennis player.🔑 Key Topics:👨‍👩‍👦 Why every tennis parent’s journey is different🚗 The car ride home and handling emotions after matches📈 Setting milestones and planning for the long term💬 The importance of clear parent-coach communication📚 Why tennis needs better resources for parentsWhether you’re a tennis parent, coach, or player, Garry’s advice is packed with insights that can help you navigate the junior journey with more confidence and clarity.FabioThis podcast is sponsored by ASICS. ASICS is a Japanese company founded in 1949 to give more people the opportunity to experience how sports and movement can have a positive impact on mental well-being.To learn more about ASICS visit their website here: https://www.asics.com/nl/en-nl/sports/tennis/Find us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@functionaltennis

This week on the Functional Tennis Podcast I’m joined by John Williams, coach and mentor to world number 1 doubles player Taylor Townsend.John’s approach to coaching is anything but conventional. He doesn’t just build tennis players, he builds characters. In this chat we talk about the characteristics he looks for in players, how his outside-the-box thinking shapes their development, and why mindset and life skills are just as important as technique.Key Topics🎾 The traits that separate good players from great ones🧠 Why developing character is as important as developing skills💡 How to think differently about tennis and avoid a conformist mindset📈 Lessons from coaching top pros and upcoming juniorsQuote“I’m not just coaching forehands and backhands, I’m building people.”From guiding top pros to developing juniors, John shares invaluable lessons for players, coaches, and parents who want to understand what it truly takes to succeed in the sport.EnjoyFabioThis podcast is sponsored by ASICS. ASICS is a Japanese company founded in 1949 to give more people the opportunity to experience how sports and movement can have a positive impact on mental well-being.To learn more about ASICS visit their website here: https://www.asics.com/nl/en-nl/sports/tennis/Find us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@functionaltennis

In this episode, I chat with 17-year-old American wheelchair tennis player Charlie Cooper, a rising star who’s already claimed 2 junior wheelchair singles Grand Slam titles.Born with spina bifida, Charlie’s journey into tennis started with local clinics and has now taken him to the top levels of junior competition. He shares how making the decision to go full-time in 2023 completely changed his development, both mentally and physically.We talk about the improvements he’s seen since going all in, the structure of wheelchair tennis, his tournament experiences, and what he hopes to achieve in the future.Key topics:• How going full-time helped Charlie raise his level• What a typical training week looks like for him• Differences in mindset between juniors and pros• How wheelchair tennis works at the top level• His goals for the coming seasonA super insightful conversation for tennis fans and players alike.FabioThis podcast is sponsored by ASICS. ASICS is a Japanese company founded in 1949 to give more people the opportunity to experience how sports and movement can have a positive impact on mental well-being.To learn more about ASICS visit their website here: https://www.asics.com/nl/en-nl/sports/tennis/Find us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennis

🎙️ This week on the Functional Tennis Podcast, I’m joined by Dasha Vidmanova, the former US College #1 player and 2024 NCAA singles, doubles, and team champion.Born in Moscow and raised in Prague, Dasha’s journey through tennis has been anything but linear. From nearly walking away from the sport to becoming a dominant force in college tennis, she now has her sights set on making waves on the pro tour.We chat about:📍 How college tennis reignited her passion for the game🎓 Why she initially didn’t plan to turn pro💪 Learning to lose as part of going pro🧠 The mindset shift that led to major improvements🇺🇸 What it’s like being the best female college player in the US🎯 Her short-term and long-term goals on tour💼 And why she majored in finance, just in case tennis didn’t work outWhether you’re a parent, coach, or young player weighing up college vs pro tennis, Dasha offers refreshing honesty and insight into both paths.Enjoy, FabioThis podcast is sponsored by ASICS. ASICS is a Japanese company founded in 1949 to give more people the opportunity to experience how sports and movement can have a positive impact on mental well-being.To learn more about ASICS visit their website here: https://www.asics.com/nl/en-nl/sports/tennis/Find us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennis

This week on the Functional Tennis Podcast, I’m joined by American ATP player Aleks Kovacevic, currently ranked #77 ATPAleks takes us through his surprising journey to the pro tour, from not thinking he’d ever go pro to finding belief during college and climbing the ATP rankings, including a big win over world #5 Andrey Rublev. He opens up about learning to lose, building confidence, and handling pressure on tour.We also dive into his one-handed backhand, how he approaches training and improvement, and why he’s added the Functional Tennis Saber to his warmup to help with timing and focus.Packed with honest insights and practical takeaways, this is a great listen for aspiring players, coaches, and fans of the grind.FabioThis podcast is sponsored by ASICS. ASICS is a Japanese company founded in 1949 to give more people the opportunity to experience how sports and movement can have a positive impact on mental well-being.To learn more about ASICS visit their website here: https://www.asics.com/nl/en-nl/sports/tennis/Find us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@functionaltennis

Clinton Coleman, Senior Scout at IMG Tennis, has guided rising stars like Nick Kyrgios and Bianca Andreescu. He dives into what he looks for in young talent, emphasizing the significance of mindset over mere technique. Coleman also addresses common misconceptions about talent, the vital role parents play in development, and how local coaching environments can impact a player's growth. He shares fascinating stories from his scouting adventures, shedding light on the challenges of nurturing future tennis champions.

This week I’m joined by Luca Van Assche, one of France’s top young players and a former Roland Garros junior champion. We chat about his fast rise to the ATP top 70, what it really takes to make the jump from juniors to the pros, and how Futures helped build his resilience and confidence. Luca opens up about the pressure of expectations, how he’s managing a ranking drop, and why balancing university studies with tennis keeps him grounded. There’s loads of insight here into how belief, hard work, and enjoying the game really shape a career.🗣️ 3 Key Quotes 1. “You can win 20 junior Slams and not win matches in the pros.” 2. “Sometimes you’re in a bad place and you say, maybe just one year as a normal person would be nice.” 3. “If you’re not 100 percent from the first point, you’re out in 40 minutes.”✅ 5 Takeaway Points: • Winning a junior Slam is just the beginning, not the end goal • Futures helped him build confidence and mental focus • The ATP level demands intensity from the very first point • Balancing school and tennis adds purpose beyond rankings • Long-term goals fuel motivation during tough stretchesThis podcast is sponsored by ASICS. ASICS is a Japanese company founded in 1949 to give more people the opportunity to experience how sports and movement can have a positive impact on mental well-being.To learn more about ASICS visit their website here: https://www.asics.com/nl/en-nl/sports/tennis/Find us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@functionaltennis

Liam Broady returns to the Functional Tennis Podcast to reflect on the highs, lows, and lessons of his 11-year pro journey. From dealing with a concussion just before Wimbledon to learning how to separate self-worth from rankings, Liam opens up on the mental battles that come with life on tour. He also shares what a conversation with Pep Guardiola taught him, and why sacrifices though tough are worth it in the long run.🗣️ 3 Key Quotes: 1. “You’ve got to be willing to make sacrifices that people don’t see.” 2. “You have to learn not to tie your self-worth to your ranking.” 3. “You don’t get to the top without a few scars.”✅ 5 Takeaway Points: • Mental resilience is just as important as physical fitness • Sacrifices are part of long-term success • Separating identity from results is crucial for mental health • Injuries can strike at the worst times, even when you’re ready • Lessons from other sports (like football) can fuel growth in tennisThis podcast is sponsored by ASICS. ASICS is a Japanese company founded in 1949 to give more people the opportunity to experience how sports and movement can have a positive impact on mental well-being.To learn more about ASICS visit their website here: https://www.asics.com/nl/en-nl/sports/tennis/Find us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisYouTube: Functional Tennis Podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by rising Argentine star Francisco Comesaña, currently sitting inside the ATP top 70. Francisco shares the grind of coming up through Futures with no funding, how a mindset shift helped him break through, and what it was like beating top names like Rublev and Zverev. We also talk about his first Slam experience at Wimbledon, what it’s like playing on grass for the first time, and why belief, fueled by hard work has been the key to his rise.✅ 5 Takeaway Points 1. Breaking through in Argentina is tough without sponsors or early exposure. 2. Belief and mindset are often more important than talent. 3. Playing Futures is a grind that can break many players mentally. 4. Big wins against players like Rublev and Zverev gave him confidence he belongs. 5. Long-term goals include becoming a better person first, and reaching the top 30.🗣️ 3 Key Quotes 1. “The most important thing was that I started to believe in myself.” 2. “Sometimes players are stuck because of mindset, not level.” 3. “Since I was a kid, I dreamed of playing in Grand Slams.”This podcast is sponsored by ASICS. ASICS is a Japanese company founded in 1949 to give more people the opportunity to experience how sports and movement can have a positive impact on mental well-being.To learn more about ASICS visit their website here: https://www.asics.com/nl/en-nl/sports/tennis/Find us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@functionaltennisYouTube: Functional Tennis Podcast