Federico Ricci, an experienced tour & academy coach joins us this week! 🇮🇹Federico is the current coach of Emil Ruusuvuori, but has coached a number of players over the last few years 🔥We talk about:How his coaching journey started in FloridaMoving to Finland to start an academyWorking with Emil RuusuvuoriPlans for the futureIt was great to be able to chat with Federico about the differences between coaching in an academy and coaching an individual player on a full time basis. It was also eye-opening to hear about the number of weeks each year that he travels for work. Being a tour coach often means that there are very few weeks off! 😯Hope you enjoy! 💯Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters:4:24 - Developing his coaching skills12:19 - How he started working with Emil Ruusuvuori18:29 - Emil's transition to professional tennis21:15 - Instilling belief in players from Finland29:42 - Advice for juniorsFind us on Social Media:Twitter: twitter.com/functennisInstagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisPodcastWebsite: 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

Zizou Bergs - the young Belgian tennis player that won his first ATP match last month in Antwerp joins the podcast this week 🇧🇪Zizou made headlines earlier last month for beating Vinolas in R1 of the European Open and pushed Khachanov to 3 sets 👏We talk about:ATP events vs Futures eventsPracticing with other professionalsPlaying Khachanov in AntwerpPutting in the work & constantly improvingJuggling Study and TennisThere are plenty of interesting parts in this interview! Don't miss it 🔥Hope you enjoy! 💯Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters:2:10 - Difference between ATP & Futures events6:05 - Practicing with other pros9:14 - Playing Khachanov in Antwerp13:17 - Who is part of his team?14:42 - Difference between Tennis Federations in Belgium17:08 - Why he studies in Europe rather than in USFind us on Social Media:Twitter: twitter.com/functennisInstagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisPodcastWebsite: 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

Eric Hechtman, the coach of Venus Williams is this week's podcast guest🔥 Eric is the full-time coach of Venus and travels with her to tournaments around the world!We talk about:Life after CollegeHitting with Federer & Nadal in MiamiGetting into coachingOff-season training plans with VenusAdvice for juniorsIt was really interesting to hear how Eric manages his time between his family, coaching Venus and his role as tennis director at Royal Palm Tennis Club.  Enjoy! 💯Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters:5:36 - Life after College7:21 - Being a Hitting Partner for Federer & Nadal11:29 - Starting to work with Venus Williams14:20 - Top 3 Learning Points from Venus16:23 - Best moment with VenusFind us on Social Media:Twitter: twitter.com/functennisInstagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisPodcastWebsite: 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

Iga Swiatek's coach, Piotr Sierzputowski joins the podcast this week! Piotr has just recently coached Iga to a Roland Garros title - with Iga being the first Polish player to ever win a slam 🔥We talk about:How he got into TennisWorking with a sports psychologistManaging expectations & working hardRoland Garros 2020!Advice for juniorsIt was great to be able to speak to a coach that has had so much success recently! Piotr really opened up during the interview, which allowed us to really understand what was going on in the Swiatek camp in the run up to Roland Garros 😀Enjoy! 💯Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters:5:46 - How he got into Tennis15:15 - Why Iga has transitioned so well into the senior game29:31 - How hard did the team work during lockdown?31:56 - Attitude after winning Roland Garros R144:18 - Advice for juniorsFind us on Social Media:Twitter: twitter.com/functennisInstagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisPodcastWebsite: 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

Ukrainian tennis player, Illya Marchenko is on this week's podcast! Illya is a current pro player, who has a career-high ranking of #49 🔥We talk about:How he started playing TennisInjuries & setbacksBreaking the Top 100His growing YouTube ChannelIllya tells us all about life on tour as a player & how he navigates his way through it all 😀Enjoy! 💯Check out his YouTube channel hereLeave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters:8:31 - How he started playing Tennis15:51 - Most Unpleasant Matches18:01 - Learning points after playing top players21:57 - His growing YouTube ChannelFind us on Social Media:Twitter: twitter.com/functennisInstagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisPodcastWebsite: 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 talking to Kevin Niksich, who runs the tennis brand Tourna. Tourna's blue  overgrips are well known across the globe and are used by plenty of top professionals 🔥Kevin's father started the company & Kevin now runs it along with his brother & father.We talk about:Origins of the gripWorking with Pete SamprasPartnership with HEADCurrent Players using TournaOther grips & machines availableKevin tells us some cool stories and talks a bit more about the brand and how it started. The company is still a family business - one that has taken over tennis!Some of the players to have used Tourna: Sampras, Courier, Murray, Bryan Bros, Pliskova, Roddick, Shapovalov, Isner - the list goes on! 😮Enjoy! 💯Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters:4:04 - Origins of the grip6:31 - Pete Sampras & Tourna12:45 - Current Players using Tourna20:35 - Other Grips AvailableFind us on Social Media:Twitter: twitter.com/functennisInstagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisPodcastWebsite: 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

An essential member of Grigor Dimitrov's team joins us this week. Casey Cordial is a sports medicine chiropractor that works and travels with Grigor 🔥Casey has worked with numerous professional athletes, including other tennis players!We talk about:How he got involved in tennisWorking with Fitness Coach, Seb DurandShould top players travel with a physio?A typical day with GrigorMonitoring sleepWe talk about these points & much more in the episode. It was great to hear some real insights into how pro athletes take care of their bodies.Enjoy! 💯Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Find out more about Casey on his websiteEpisode Chapters:2:22 - How he got into Tennis8:50 - Working with Fitness Coach, Seb Durand13:42 - Typical Day with Grigor Dimitrov25:30 - Monitoring Sleep33:18 - Other tennis pros he has worked withFind us on Social Media:Twitter: twitter.com/functennisInstagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisPodcastWebsite: 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

Two-time Roland Garros Singles Champion, Sergi Bruguera joins us this week.Sergi is a former Top 3 player and is a true clay-court specialist.  He won back to back French Open titles in the '93 & '94 and was a finalist in '97 🔥We talk about:His career & coaching TsongaHow Roland Garros conditions have changed over the yearsSeeing Rafa play for the first timeCaptaining Spain at Davis CupPlaying on hard-court for the first time at 18 Sergi is the most successful player that we have ever had on the podcast. It was a true pleasure to have him on and hear more about his story 🙌Enjoy! 💯Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters:6:05 - How Roland Garros conditions have changed9:23 - Playing on hardcourt for the first time at 1813:20 - Winning Roland Garros against Courier17:54 - Toughest ever opponent21:06 - Seeing Rafa for the first time23:30 - Thoughts on new Davis Cup format24:45 - Bautista Agut coming back after fathers death28:44 - Coaching Tsonga & his rehabilitationFind us on Social Media:Twitter: twitter.com/functennisInstagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisPodcastWebsite: 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 talk to ATP Doubles Coach, David Collins.David coaches a number of different players in both singles & doubles - but is best known as the coach of John Peers & Michael Venus 👌We talk about:Who does the player stats?Playing on the pro tourThe Functional Tennis Webinar that he will joinAdvice for coachesBest memory as a coachDavid is fortunate enough to have been involved in tennis for a long time and really knows his stuff 😃Enjoy! 💯Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters:3:34 - Who does the player stats?12:08 - Playing on the Pro Tour19:16 - Functional Tennis Webinar23:29 - Best memory as a coachFind us on Social Media:Twitter: twitter.com/functennisInstagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisPodcastWebsite: 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

Tina Pisnik, a former WTA top 30 player from Slovenia joins the podcast this week.Tina, now retired from professional tennis coaches in Chicago. During her playing career, she was involved in the Olympics on two separate occasions, won WTA tournaments and played all of the grand slams 🔥She retired after a car crash that she was involved in, set up a tennis club, set up a coffee shop & captained the Slovenian Fed Cup team.We touch on all of these moments, along with the importance of mental health in tennis.Enjoy! 💯Leave us a review on iTunes 📱Episode Chapters:4:46 - Struggling with Injuries & mental health9:09 - Having Mark Petchey as a coach12:52 - What she has learned from her career16:06 - Representing Slovenia at the OlympicsFind us on Social Media:Twitter: twitter.com/functennisInstagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisPodcastWebsite: 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