The Functional Tennis Podcast

This week we talk to Mike Ballardie, who is the CEO of our podcast sponsor, Slinger Bag 🤩Mike has worked in tennis for a number of years, including stints working at Wilson & Prince. He now runs Slinger, the company who produce the well known portable ball machine, the Slinger Bag!We talk:His tennis backgroundPurchasing Prince TennisSigning new endorsement deals with top playersSeeing the Slinger Bag for the first timeFuture plans for SlingerSpeaking to Mike was super enjoyable & it was a pleasure to be able to have him on the show. Not only does he have a really interesting back story, but has committed to sponsoring this podcast for quite a while now.  A big thanks to him & his whole team 🙌Let us know what you think!Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters1:50 - Mike’s Background 19:12 - Buying Prince Tennis26:03 - First hearing about the Slinger Bag34:42 - Tennis as a lifestyle brand37:50 - Slinger becoming a ‘Connected Brand’41:51 - Advantages of trading publicly 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

Canadian Coach, Larry Jurovich joins the podcast this week 🇨🇦Larry has worked with top juniors around the world, including a stint at the LTA. He has also worked with former podcast guests James McGee, James Cluskey & Sharon Fichman!We talk:Working during COVIDLessons learned during his time coachingHis time spent working in IrelandWorking with the LTAHis new tennis centres in Canada It was great to be able to chat with Larry, especially as he has such a wealth of knowledge & experience in the coaching industry.Fun fact: Larry also played ice Hockey for Ireland during the time that he spent living there! Hope you enjoy it & let us know what you think!Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters1:23 - Life during COVID in Canada8:00 - Values in his tennis programs10:57 - Working with the LTA15:48 - Playing Ice Hockey for IrelandFind 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 take a sneak peak into the tennis media world with Nick McCarvel 🇺🇸Nick is a sports media expert, who has worked in tennis for a number of years & is now involved with the Olympics 🤩 He is a writer, presenter, commentator & producer.Cian, who works at Functional Tennis takes over from Fabio as host for this Episode!We talk:Breaking into the industryLGBTQ Community in TennisGetting to know Billie Jean KingBoundaries between work & personal lifeStaying up to date with tennis storylinesOlympic TennisIt was great to be able to speak to Nick, especially as the Olympics draw closer. Hope you enjoy the chat & the change up this week 😃Let us know what you think!Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters1:28 - Breaking into the industry4:45 - More drawn to journalism or tennis?12:35 - Setting boundaries between work & personal life16:37 - LGBTQ Community in Tennis22:36 - Getting to know Billie Jean King28:37 - Current role with the OlympicsFind 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

Marcel da Cruz, a seasoned Strength and Conditioning coach and former professional athlete, discusses his decade-long collaboration with Casper Ruud. He shares insights on the upcoming grass court season, the unique fitness demands of tennis, and the risks of excessive muscle leading to injuries. Marcel also reflects on Casper's decision to take a year off and the importance of S&C for junior players, emphasizing a holistic approach to training that balances performance with injury prevention.

Marco Chiudinelli from Switzerland joins the podcast this week 🇨🇭Marco had a 17 year long career, which saw him rise to a career high #52 as well as winning the Davis Cup with Switzerland in 2014 🏆We talk:What life after tennis looks likeRunning Tennis CampsCan Novak compete the Golden Slam?What he misses from travelling on tourWinning the Davis CupIt was nice to be able to see what Marco is up to these days, but also to look back and remember all the good times that he has had on court 💪Hope you enjoy it & let us know what you think!Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters1:25 - Life after Tennis6:00 - Running Camps in Halle11:50 - Can Novak complete the golden slam?16:28 - Up & Coming Swiss talent, Dominic Sticker19:41 - What he misses from his travelling days25:55 - Winning the Davis CupFind 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

In this chat with Garry Cahill, a Tour Coach and former Irish Davis Cup captain, the focus is on leadership and mentorship in tennis. Garry discusses his journey in establishing his own academy and the lessons he's learned since the pandemic. He highlights the importance of emotional connections between coaches and players and the need for strategic investment in talent development. Furthermore, Garry addresses the pitfalls of seeking short-term success and stresses the value of nurturing a supportive community for future stars.

This week we speak to Canadian couple Sharon Fichman & Dylan Moscovitch 🇨🇦Sharon is a professional  tennis player, while Dylan is a former Olympic figure skater 😃We talk:How they metSharon's decision to break from tennisDylan's life as a figure skaterTravelling togetherHigh Impact AthletesIt's not very often that we get the chance to see to speak to two people at once on the podcast, with this interview being our first time interviewing a couple!Hope you enjoy it & let us know what you think!Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters4:09 - How they met5:52 - Taking an indefinite break from tennis10:08 - Life as a figure skater15:05 - Inspiration to get back to tennis20:25 - Travelling together24:39 - How Yoga helpsFind 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

We are joined by British tennis player, Emily Appleton this week for Episode 101 😃Emily recently won 3 of the 4 UK Pro Series titles & is just back from a trip where she was playing in Israel & Georgia 🙌We talk:UK Pro Series successWorking with her coach (& former podcast guest David Collins)The Sky Sports Scholar programThe importance of media training Plan going forwardIt was really great to be able to talk to Emily & hear about all the hard work that she puts in with her team. We wish them the best of luck going forward 💪Hope you enjoy it & let us know what you think!Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters1:57 - UK Pro Series4:33 - Playing in Israel8:47 - Working with David Collins11:12 - Being a Sky Sports Scholar13:10 - Importance of Media TrainingFind 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

We are proud to announce that Casper Ruud is our guest for Episode 100 🥳🎉Casper is in unbelievable form recently, having just made SF runs in Monte Carlo & Madrid, as well as capturing the title in Geneva. He is currently ranked #16 in the world ⭐We talk:Growing up playing tennisTraining with Rafael NadalHis love of golfImportant factors that helped him break the Top 20Playing his Dad in tennisIt was a real pleasure to have Casper on the show. He was a super nice guy & we wish him the best of luck going forward 🙌We also announce the winner of the Slinger Bag at the end of the episode 😉Finally, a big thanks to all of our listeners! We are delighted to have been able to release 100 episodes & hope to release at least 100 more 😉Hope you enjoy it & let us know what you think!Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters2:18 - Recent results & form5:05 - Training with Rafael Nadal7:41 - Biggest takeaway from hitting with Nadal9:12 - Playing tennis growing up11:11 - Love of Golf20:07 - What helped you to breakthrough?22:11 - Playing tennis with his DadFind 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

Aussie, Matt Ebden is our 99th guest on the podcast 🇦🇺 It was nice to be able to speak to yet another established name on tour as we near episode 100!Matt is an Australian Open mixed doubles champ, who also has a few ATP doubles titles 😉We talk:Shadows at the Madrid OpenTraining ahead of Roland GarrosComing back from injuryMost memorable matchHis enthusiasm for watchesInvesting & off court interestsMatt was training at the All In Tennis Academy when we spoke. He will play Lyon before he travels to Paris for Roland Garros 🎾Hope you enjoy it & let us know what you think!Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters2:42 - Shadows in Madrid6:31 - Training at the All In Tennis Academy10:14 - Coming back from injury14:06 - Training with Federer15:23 - Most memorable match19:31 - Cryptocurrency & investing21:30 - Love of watchesFind us on Social Media:YouTube: Functional Tennis PodcastInstagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisPodcastTwitter: 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