The Functional Tennis Podcast

18 year-old, James McCabe joins us this week to speak about what he got up to at this years Australian Open.James was one of only two people who managed to hit with Novak Djokovic in Melbourne this year 🔥We talk:Where tennis began for himPlaying singles & doubles at the Aussie OpenHitting with Novak Djokovic in MelbourneHis Irish heritagePlans for 2022It was nice to be able to catch up with James & get to know each other a bit better. He has a solid future ahead of him 😃Let us know what you think!Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters2:42 - Where tennis started for him4:22 - Coaches & Mentors5:49 - Playing against Kyrgios/Kokkinakis7:56 - Hitting with Djokovic at Australian Open13:10 - Plans for 202215:28 - Players to look out for in the futureFind 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

For the first time ever, we have 3 guests at once on the Functional Tennis Podcast. On numerous occasions, we have had 2 guests, but this is uncharted territory for us!Phil, Taylor & Jenny Dent are all former professionals & now run the Dent Tennis Academy in Texas 🇺🇸Phil is an Australian Open singles finalist & champion in doubles, as well as being a Davis Cup Winner. Taylor, Phil's son,  is a former world #21 & winner of 4 ATP Singles titles. Jenny, Taylor's wife,  is a former world #52 🔥We talk:Dent Tennis Academy in TexasReflecting on their tennis careersCoaching young talentParents becoming involvedFavourite memoriesReally hope you enjoy this episode.  It's a bit different in the sense that there are 3 guests at once but they are all super qualified & well clued in to tennis 😉Let us know what you think!Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters2:34 - Academy in Texas7:03 - Players at Australian Open19:24 - Taylor Dent as a kid23:28 - Coaching Michael Chang27:23 - Parents being involved32:28 - Stand out matches in their careersFind 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 is one of the rare occasions that we have had the opportunity to meet our guest in person.  Although we recorded the episode virtually, we met up with Merlin Van De Braam a few weeks ago in Dublin to talk all things tennis 🎾Merlin is the Head of Coach Development & Support at the LTA.We talk:Early tennis daysWorking with the ITFJoining the LTAFemale coachesCoaching your own childPsychology in TennisThis episode is great for any coaches out there, but also for any tennis parents who have children that play. There's something that everyone can learn in there - guaranteed 😅Let us know what you think!Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters2:34 - Journey to the LTA6:35 - Building blocks for future of British tennis11:19 - Coaching your own child19:20 - Female coaches in tennis22:05 - Psychology & Tennis30:50 - Who’s the GOAT?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

This week we're joined by Kelsey Anderson, who is the wife of Kevin Anderson! Kelsey has spent a number of years travelling on tour & tells us all about her life with Kevin, their daughter Keira & their dog 😀We talk:How she met KevinWatching matches from abroadHer role as 'Support Team Chairperson'Playing college golfLife on the roadThis was our first time ever having a spouse on the podcast! It's a perspective that we haven't heard before - making it all the more interesting.Let us know what you think!Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters6:49 - Her role on the team8:47 - Travelling with both a child & a dog11:04 - Meeting Kevin for the first time14:54 - Deciding to travel more16:34 - Challenges of travelling23:34 - Favorite tournamentFind 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

Nikolay Davydenko played tennis at the highest level over many years picking up 21 titles along the way, including the ATP Finals in 2009. This week, he joins us on the podcast!Nikolay has now retired & focuses his time on coaching, along with commentary for Eurosport.We talk:Playing junior tennis in RussiaWho the best player of his generation isHaving a winning record against NadalMental strength needed to competeCoaching at his brothers academyWinning the ATP Finals in 2009Our chat with Nikolay was informative, relaxed & has funny moments throughout. This episode is another good one - trust us!Let us know what you think!Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters4:22 - Junior tennis in Russia8:10 - Winning record against Nadal16:34 - Best player of his generation24:46 - Decision to retire34:52 - Aslan Karatsev40:20 - Mental strength47:32 - AdviceFind 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

Sascha Bajin joins us this week to talk about how he has dedicated his life to become the best tennis coach possible. Sascha is a former pro, who became the hitting partner to Serena Williams & has gone on to coach some of the best players to ever play the game. Victoria Azarenka, Sloane Stephens, Caroline Wozniacki, Naomi Osaka & Karolina Pliskova are some of the players that he has worked with...We talk:Dealing with payers getting injuredMindset of elite playersWorking & living with Serena WilliamsTransitioning into coachingCommonalities of top athletes Our chat with Sascha is a fantastic way to start the new year...we have listened to it multiple times already 😅Let us know what you think!Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters2:35 - Players getting injured7:06 - Hitting Partner of Serena Wiliams18:58 - Learning from Azarenka22:40 - Coaching Naomi Osaka31:00 - Learning patience from Naomi Osaka32:29 - Working with Karolina Pliskova39:24 - Commonalities of top athletesFind 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 we are joined by Katrina Adams, who is a former player, was the President & CEO of the USTA, is Vice President of the International Tennis Federation, is the Chairman of the Billie Jean King Cup Committee & has recently released her own book!We talk:Her playing careerRunning the USTAHer new book, 'Own The Arena'Gender Equality in TennisGrassroots TennisKatrina is extremely well known in tennis circles & is involved in so many different areas of the game! Her new book, 'Own The Arena' is out now & is on our reading list 😀Let us know what you think!Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters2:00 - Playing career5:11 - First role after retiring10:07 - Typical day running the USTA12:49 - Book: Own The Arena16:17 - Gender equality in 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

Everyone knows Bernard Tomic & we are very excited to release this emergency bonus podcast episode with him!Bernard is now focusing on a comeback to professional tennis, with the goal of finishing in the Top 100 for the upcoming 2022 season 😉We talk:His new focusWho is on his teamHis favourite memory of his careerWhether he would beat Nick KyrgiosHow he has matured over the yearsBernard has been out of the limelight for quite some time, so to connect with him & to hear all about his new focus was super interesting. This is one of our shortest episodes, but hope you enjoy it 😀Let us know what you think!Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters2:00 - New focus3:47 - Team around him4:54 - Diet6:20 - Would he beat Nick Kyrgios?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

2021 was the most successful year on-court for Panna Udvardy so far. She started the year as #350 & is now a Top 100 player!We were lucky enough to catch up with Panna to discuss what has changed for her & to understand more about her journey 🙌We talk:Preseason trainingRising up the WTA rankingsWhat has changed in her gameTrying to improve every single dayBeing sponsored by RedfooPanna has really dedicated herself to her tennis recently & it shows! We look forward to seeing what 2022 has in store for her 😉Let us know what you think!Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters2:07 - Preseason5:36 - Rising up the rankings8:32 - Biggest change in her game11:00 - Attention from press13:02 - Playing with RedfooFind 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 we have Andre Villas-Boas join us on the podcast! Andre is one of the world's top football managers, who has coached Porto, Chelsea, Tottenham & more! Andre is also the youngest manager to ever win a European title.We spoke to Andre live at the Web Summit earlier this year, which was held in Lisbon, Portugal 🇵🇹 The topic of our talk with Andre was 'Inside The Mind Of The Elite'.We talk:Combining talent with personal driveHow he has adapted his leadership style of the yearsThe 'Untold: Breaking Point' Netflix SeriesHis love of racingAdvice for people listeningWe very rarely release podcast episodes that have taken place live in person, so this episode is a bit different for us. It's also the first time that we've had someone from football join us. A special thanks to the team at Web Summit for organizing this 😃Let us know what you think!Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters5:28 - ‘Untold: Breaking Point’ Netflix Series6:41 - Combining talent & personal drive12:06 - Similarities between football & racing14:36 - Playing for club vs country16:13 - Leadership & adviceFind 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