The Functional Tennis Podcast

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

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