The Functional Tennis Podcast

A very interesting episode this week with Goran Novakovic. Goran founded the Ten-Pro Global Junior Tour which I only became aware of recently. It's a junior tour for under 10's to under 15's where juniors are guaranteed to get a set amount of matches, costs can be more controlled for parents and players are treated like pros. Goran tells us how it came about and the major difference between his tour and other international junior tours. It's really interesting and I wish I was a junior again and could play in these tournaments.Major talking points:How did the Ten Pro events come aboutShortcomings from regular Junior International EventsWhat is the Ten Pro Format?Are draws seeded or is there a ranking system?Is it invite-only?Linda FruhvirtovaHow many events are hosted and where?How do you finance Ten Pro?The entry fee to take partWhat lessons has Goran learned from running Ten Pro events?Advice for parents with kids competing% of players who bring a coachWhat is next for Ten Pro?Hope you enjoy the episodeFabio🔋 Podcast powered by Slinger - The world's most portable ball machineFind us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisPodcastYouTube: Functional Tennis PodcastTwitter: twitter.com/functennisWebsite: www.FunctionalTennis.comFacebook: Facebook.com/FunctionalTennisOfficialHave you seen the Functional Tennis Saber?Check it out here and don't miss the video of Stan Wawrinka crushing the ballFind us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisYouTube: Functional Tennis PodcastTwitter: twitter.com/functennisWebsite: www.FunctionalTennis.com

Welcome to a new series called Tie-Break where I mainly plan to release a short preview of upcoming episodes. I may also release a throwback from one of our 145 Plus episodes of a story that was entertaining or a lesson not to be missed. Finally, on a rare occasion, I may jump in to discuss a topical tennis matter.We start off this week with Goran Novakovic, the founder of the Ten-Pro Junior Global Tour which is a set of international tournaments for juniors in the under 11 to under 15 age category. It's an interesting story and in this short clip, he shares a story of a lesson he learned from an under 11 player.Let me know if you enjoy this idea/format.FabioHave you seen the Functional Tennis Saber?Check it out here and don't miss the video of Stan Wawrinka crushing the ballFind us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisYouTube: Functional Tennis PodcastTwitter: twitter.com/functennisWebsite: www.FunctionalTennis.com

Arthur Fery is on this week's episode. Arthur was ranked No.1 in US College Tennis earlier this year, in only his second year playing for Stanford. We chat about the Brit's decision to play College Tennis, life in the US as well his run to the last round of qualies at Wimbledon in 2021.Areas we coverGrowing  up nearly WimbledonImportance of playing french men's tournaments as JuniorsGo pro or go to College?Why Stanford?Typical DayEnjoy the team aspect?An important lesson you learned when you arrivedCoach GoldsteinA most memorable moment on the court so farCollecting a paycheck at WimbledonThe plan for Summer 2022Arthur’s GoatAdvice for juniors trying to make the College v going pro decisionHope you enjoy the episodeFabio🔋 Podcast powered by Slinger - The world's most portable ball machineFind us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisPodcastYouTube: Functional Tennis PodcastTwitter: twitter.com/functennisWebsite: www.FunctionalTennis.comFacebook: Facebook.com/FunctionalTennisOfficialHave you seen the Functional Tennis Saber?Check it out here and don't miss the video of Stan Wawrinka crushing the ballFind us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisYouTube: Functional Tennis PodcastTwitter: twitter.com/functennisWebsite: www.FunctionalTennis.com

Excited to have world-renowned coach Carlos Rodriguez on the Functional Tennis Podcast.Carlos is currently the technical director at the Justine Henin Academy. He has worked for over 35 years as a tennis coach with 16 years as the coach to 7-time Slam champion Justine Henin, 3 with Li Na who won an Aussie Open Slam. He also worked for 10 years running a high-performance tennis academy in Beijing as well as working with other top players.We chat aboutHis role at the Justine Henin Tennis AcademyWhat differentiates the academy from other academiesHow they select players to join the academyLi Na and JustineCarlos's GOATHope you enjoy the episodeFabio🔋 Podcast powered by Slinger - The world's most portable ball machineFind us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisPodcastYouTube: Functional Tennis PodcastTwitter: twitter.com/functennisWebsite: www.FunctionalTennis.comFacebook: Facebook.com/FunctionalTennisOfficialHave you seen the Functional Tennis Saber?Check it out here and don't miss the video of Stan Wawrinka crushing the ballFind us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisYouTube: Functional Tennis PodcastTwitter: twitter.com/functennisWebsite: www.FunctionalTennis.com

This week Sven Swinnem joins me for a chat. Sven is a former player turned Swiss Federation Coach and looks after the up and coming Swiss player Dominic Sticker. We chat aboutEarly Tennis DaysLiving with Federer at the Swiss FederationUS College Tennis at OregonGiving the Pro tour a goMoving into CoachingWorking with Dominic StickerLearnings from training with Federer in DubaiAdvice for JuniorsHope you enjoy the episodeFabioFind us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisPodcastYouTube: Functional Tennis PodcastTwitter: twitter.com/functennisWebsite: www.FunctionalTennis.comFacebook: Facebook.com/FunctionalTennisOfficialHave you seen the Functional Tennis Saber?Check it out here and don't miss the video of Stan Wawrinka crushing the ballFind us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisYouTube: Functional Tennis PodcastTwitter: twitter.com/functennisWebsite: www.FunctionalTennis.com

This week I chat with JY Aubone. Former college player, JY quickly got into coaching and got the opportunity to coach a future top 20 tennis player; Reilly Opelka! After a first experience with the giant American, JY had to split his relationship as Reilly couldn’t offer him a full-time job as a coach. Jean Yves then went back to his studies and worked for a bank until the day he got a call from the USTA, offering a full-time job as Reilly’s coach on the tour. This healthy relationship enabled Reilly to enter the top 20 on the ATP Tour. At the end of 2021, JY became a dad and took the decision to lower his hours with Reilly. Since Jean Yves has created his own platform of coaching and offers his services to anyone from anywhere in the world. Analyzing statistics as well as footage of your matches, JY advises you with his experience. We touch on his journey to becoming the coach of one of the best American tennis players, on his best and worst moments on tour with Reilly, the working process with his athlete, and his personal life as a dad. If you enjoy it please share it with your tennis community :)Find us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisPodcastYouTube: Functional Tennis PodcastTwitter: twitter.com/functennisWebsite: www.FunctionalTennis.comFacebook: Facebook.com/FunctionalTennisOfficialHave you seen the Functional Tennis Saber?Check it out here and don't miss the video of Stan Wawrinka crushing the ballFind us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisYouTube: Functional Tennis PodcastTwitter: twitter.com/functennisWebsite: www.FunctionalTennis.com

Today I chat with Zack Thomas, known as The Foot Doctor. I came across his YouTube channel in 2021 and I've been a big fan since.He uses his medical background to help give more information about each shoe and how it can affect your foot. I love the way he slices open the shoes to show you want is inside them. We chat about all of this, including what makes a cheap shoe cheap and an expensive shoe expensive. We touch on Federer, Nadal's foot injury, common tennis injuries and more.If you enjoy it please share it with your tennis community :)Main topics2:15 About Zack3:20 Tearing up shoes5:05 What’s a good shoe for your foot?7:23 The Difference between cheap and more expensive shoes?10:04 Zack’s goto shoes11:02 People wear the wrong shoes16:00 Federer and Nadal wearing the same shoes for years17:19 Federer's new ON shoes versus his Vapor’s19:52 Common foot injuries for tennis players22:05 Best shoe for heel pain, Achilles tendinitis and plantar fasciitis23:55 Shoes for young tennis players27:15 No new tech in tennis shoes28:10 Correct shoe for each sport 29:27 Rafa’s foot injuryFind us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisPodcastYouTube: Functional Tennis PodcastTwitter: twitter.com/functennisWebsite: www.FunctionalTennis.comFacebook: Facebook.com/FunctionalTennisOfficialHave you seen the Functional Tennis Saber?Check it out here and don't miss the video of Stan Wawrinka crushing the ballFind us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisYouTube: Functional Tennis PodcastTwitter: twitter.com/functennisWebsite: www.FunctionalTennis.com

It was an honour to speak to Frances Tiafoe. Currently ranked at 34 in the world Frances is a threat to any of the higher-ranked players. Frances provides great answers and is a great thinker and student of the game. We cover:[02:42] What’s it not been able to compete *[03:34] What’s it like going back to a tournament that you won?[04:23] What’s it like going back to the JTCC[06:00] Trust your training[08:15] Going back to your younger days at the JTCC[10:15] When did think a pro career was realistic[11:58] What is your Why?[13:10] Francis biggest idol and beating him[15:49] Watching tennis on YouTube and studying tennis[18:31] Francis’s GOAT[20:25] The Fed Oura[20:58] The banana slice video [21:40] Advice from Francis  [23:13] What’s it's like playing your junior tennis pals today.If you enjoy it please share it to your tennis community :)Find us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisPodcastYouTube: Functional Tennis PodcastTwitter: twitter.com/functennisWebsite: www.FunctionalTennis.comFacebook: Facebook.com/FunctionalTennisOfficialHave you seen the Functional Tennis Saber?Check it out here and don't miss the video of Stan Wawrinka crushing the ballFind us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisYouTube: Functional Tennis PodcastTwitter: twitter.com/functennisWebsite: www.FunctionalTennis.com

What a great episode this week with  Vesa Ponkka from the JTCC (Junior Tennis Champions Center) in College Park, Maryland. Ever since it was set up the JTCC has been run as a non for profit tennis training center which is unique within the tennis world. I really enjoyed this chat where I learned all about the center from its early days to today. You may have heard the Francis Tiafoe story before and this is where he grew up playing while his dad worked there.  Vesa has some great points which you will enjoy listening to. They are people first player second focus and they encourage all athletes to TRUST THEIR TRAINING. I hope you enjoy it.Find us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisPodcastYouTube: Functional Tennis PodcastTwitter: twitter.com/functennisWebsite: www.FunctionalTennis.comFacebook: Facebook.com/FunctionalTennisOfficialHave you seen the Functional Tennis Saber?Check it out here and don't miss the video of Stan Wawrinka crushing the ballFind us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisYouTube: Functional Tennis PodcastTwitter: twitter.com/functennisWebsite: www.FunctionalTennis.com

Conor Gannon, a freshman at the University of Tennessee speaks to us this week about what it's like to play for the top ranked college team in the US!Conor is Irish & is currently fighting for his sport in the starting team.We talk:Where tennis began for himThe need for consistencyThe competitive atmosphere within the teamTraining drillsWe've had plenty of college tennis players on the podcast before, but never a current player. Conor has some work to do, but is working hard to make it happen 💪Let us know what you think!Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters2:26 - Where tennis began for him9:45 - Contemplating College Tennis14:02 - Training19:52 - What he has learned29:44 - Advice for anyone wanting to play college tennisFind us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisPodcastYouTube: Functional Tennis PodcastTwitter: twitter.com/functennisWebsite: www.FunctionalTennis.comFacebook: Facebook.com/FunctionalTennisOfficialHave you seen the Functional Tennis Saber?Check it out here and don't miss the video of Stan Wawrinka crushing the ballFind us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisYouTube: Functional Tennis PodcastTwitter: twitter.com/functennisWebsite: www.FunctionalTennis.com