Dissecting High Performance In Tennis

In this engaging conversation, Brad Gilbert, a former top-ranked professional tennis player and coach to legends like Andre Agassi and Andy Murray, shares invaluable coaching insights. He emphasizes the importance of building personal connections and using humor in coaching. Gilbert discusses lessons from Nadal and Medvedev, describing how Djokovic resembles the great Lendl. He reflects on the challenges of perfectionism found in his book "Winning Ugly" and highlights the need for emotional balance in both players and coaches while embracing the learning moments from losses.

In this discussion, Craig O’Shannessy, a renowned tennis strategy analyst and coach who has worked with the likes of Djokovic and Ram, shares intriguing insights about tennis training. He debunks the common misconception of the importance of 0-4 and explores how junior tennis data shapes player development. Craig explains why a higher first serve percentage isn't always advantageous, emphasizes the significance of making opponents miss, and advocates for focusing on strategic patterns rather than isolated shots. This conversation is a game-changer for players and coaches alike!

Wim Fissette, a renowned tennis coach who has shaped the careers of stars like Kim Clijsters and Naomi Osaka, offers insights into his data-driven coaching methods. He discusses the balance between statistical analysis and intuition on the court, revealing why technical execution is ranked third in importance. Fissette highlights evolving strategies in women's tennis, emphasizing the shift towards more vertical play due to slow courts. He also reflects on the mental aspects of the game and the responsibilities players hold for their own success.

Hi guys, during these Corona Times I have been fortunate to get the opportunity to listen and learn from some very clever and experienced Coaches. This time around you will get an insight into the thoughts of Dirk Hordorff. Dirk has coached a multitude of players but to name a few he coached Rainer Schuettler during all of his career. He has coached both Lars Burgsmüller and Yen-Hsun Lu for 10 years and was with Janko Tipsarevic in the 2 years where he finished inside the top 10. Besides his strides as a tennis coach Dirk owns 2 real estate companies as well as a Sports Management Company and is the Vice President of the Global Tennis Coaches Association. Currently Dirk is coaching Richardas Berankis. You’ll get to know: How Trust is a prerequisite for honesty The Steps of managing a top 100 ATP Player How Data is a part of the equation Enjoy the show! Timestamps 01:20 The Steps of Creating a long-term Coaching relation04:20 Balancing being respectful and honest05:10 Trust as a prerequisite to being honest06:25 Advantages for top 100 players sharing a Coach09:30 Why top 10 players need their own coach10:25 The first part of Dirk’s life11:05 How business and tennis are the same11:50 How tennis players should go about hiring Coaches13:20 Why Dirk started a management company14:40 The steps of managing an ATP Player16:10 Why Dirk quit his office job and became a Tennis Coach17:45 Rafa’s Character at 16 Years old21:05 How Dirk didn’t do his job well enough23:10 How Data is a part of the equation24:50 What excites Dirk within tennis26:15 Novak hasn’t got the respect he deserves27:40 Dirk’s thoughts on the Corona virus situation31:25 How Rafa tried to help Janko33:35 People who are successful can better tell you what to do34:30 Dirk Hordorff’s advice to tennis coaches35:35 Dirk Hordofrf’s advice for Tennis Players36:37 Dirk Hordofrf’s advice for Tennis Parents

Hi guys, another Corona special that I hope you’ll enjoy. On this episode I talk to Carlos Rodriquez all the way from Bejing, China and due to the government restrictions, the only way that we were able to reach each other were by phone and the sound quality is therefore not amazing. The episode is going out anyway and it’s my hope that the quality of Carlos’ answers make up for the poor sound quality. You’ll get to know: The steps of Creating a Coaching Relation Why Players need to Play their game How Tennis Players are a Reflection of Society Enjoy the show! Timestamps 01:11 The steps of creating a good Coaching Relation 06:22 How a player shows Commitment 08:00 Similarities and differences in values 09:30 Play your game 11:45 Tennis Players are a reflection of society 15:30 What teaching in China taught Carlos 17:40 Catch fish 19:30 Balancing being a tour coach with being a father 22:10 Sharing knowledge with Tennis Coaches 22:45 Patience and listening 23:20 A lot of wasted talent 24:50 You never know what will happen 25:55 Understanding your players feelings 27:15 The inner Athlete by Dan Millman 28:20 Carlos’s advice to Coaches 30:00 Special Corona Message

It’s Corona-time globally and I wish all of you and your families happiness and health through these times. Robert Davis asked me half a year ago who was on the top of my Wishlist for a Podcast interview. I promptly answered Magnus Norman, and that is exactly who you guys will get to listen to in this episode. You’ll get to know: Balancing being a good listener and at the same time telling the truthHow Magnus keeps a match journal for StanMagnus’ thoughts on coaches longevity Enjoy the show! Timestamps01:07 Corona Virus 02:34 Reasoning for the Good to Great name 04:12 Inspiration from Jim Collins05:13 Choosing the coaches for the academy 07:16 The brutal facts of running a Tennis Academy08:24 Being a good listener and telling the truth11:09 It’s the player who makes the coach 12:37 Match Journal for Stan Wawrinka 15:18 Coaching Stan Wawrinka the 2nd time around17:00 Lessons from Triathlon19:10 Longevity as a Tennis Coach21:40 You can’t accept random mistakes 23:40 Movement patterns24:30 Difference on tennis now and then25:07 Tennis has a great future26:05 New Grand Slam winner in 2020?27:00 I thought I knew everything 10 years ago27:25 Principles over method28:30 Create a team29:02 Pep Guardiola and John Wooden30:23 Magnus Norman’s advice for coaches 31:25 Magnus Norman’s advice for players

In this discussion, Mike James, a strategy analyst, shares insights on the growing role of data in tennis. He reveals how even top players like Djokovic can mislead us about their performance metrics. Surprising stats, such as the below 50% winning percentage from the baseline, showcase the misinterpretation of data. Mike emphasizes the need for video analysis alongside stats to refine practice strategies and player development. He also discusses the importance of adapting training methods and understanding winning patterns to enhance overall performance.

In this episode I’m delighted to welcome back Frank Giampaolo for his 2nd visit on the podcast. In the last episode with Frank, which was number 40, he discussed how to best be a tennis parent and support your children in their tennis journey. This time around Frank is digging even deeper into what he calls ”The soft science of tennis” which is also the title of his new book that recently got released. I had the honor of getting an early copy of the book and was so excited about the way that Frank is able to make soft skills very concrete and easy understandable that I reached out to Frank to get him back on the Podcast and elaborate on his findings and the reasoning behind the new book. You’ll get to know: – How to use personality profiling – How to develop character and nurture life skills – How to manage fear and risk Before we dive into the interview Frank has been so kind to offer free e-books for the first 20 people who email me on contact@adamblicher.com – so don’t hesitate to reach out if you wish to secure yourself a copy of the brand new “Soft Science of tennis Enjoy the show! Timestamps 01:30 The computer analogy 03:40 Project oxygen 05:11 The 4 sides model 08:30 Succesfull communication 10:00 Personality profiling 11:10 Pre- and post match talks 14:00 Verbal vs nonverbal communication 14:50 Conscious and unconscious mind 19:30 Myers Briggs 22:30 Introvert vs extrovert 27:30 Sensate vs intuitive 30:30 Thinkers vs feelers 33:00 Judgers vs perceivers 39:30 Developing character 41:30 Nurturing life skills 43:00 The 168 hour rule 46:40 Managing fear and risk

Whether you are a player, coach or a parent the whole world of American College Tennis can seem overwhelming – Here is an interview with Dave Mullins who recently retired as a College Coach, but went through the process himself of figuring everything out even before the internet back in the day when he was deciding on what college to attend as an aspiring irish player. He then got so into College Tennis that he stayed after playing college himself and have coached DePaul’s Men’s team, then went onto Northwestern University’s Women’s team where he was awarded ITA National Assistant coach of the Year. At last he was named Head Coach at University of Oklahoma at the age of 28 making him the youngest coach at the BCS level at that time. You’ll get to know: – What questions to ask yourself – The Academic side of College Tennis – How to make the final Decision on College Timestamps 01:30 Initial Questions to ask yourself on College Tennis 02:45 How do you figure out the level you qualify to play in College Tennis 04:05 The Academic side of American College Tennis 06:30 Finding the right fit in a tennis college 08:40 Official visitis 11:05 The final decision – The relation to the coach 13:30 Introductory letter + video clip 18:00 Tennis dies if it doesn’t evolve 23:30 Coaching Tennis Chuck Kriese 24:10 Learning 25:10 Meditating as mental training

Have you ever experienced your players going for a week or two to a foreign country on a fancy tennis academy and you find your player coming back with a changed grip, awkvard looking technique or what you just used month trying to build comepletely colapsed – Here is an interview with a guy who built a secondary camp and touring academy around NOT changing technique. Dave Bandelin, is a former division one coach of Texas El Paso and was awarded New coach of the year back in 1986. He then moved to Scadinavia and spent 10 years coaching in Hölviken tennis before starting EuroElite that has now got close to 200 players signed up for camps and travels every year. You’ll get to know: – How Dave teaches guidelines for life – The Concepts of Euroelite – How tennis is not always fun Enjoy the show! Timestamps 01:30 Why EuroElite was started 03:12 Where is EuroElite Now 07:37 The screening process 19:10 The Match paper 24:50 Taking risks 32:08 5 basic patterns of play 34:15 What Euroelite doesn’t do 37:23 The short game + fitness 43:15 Don’t get too excited 44:30 Breathing 48:32 Neutral to neutral 53:00 Freedom to older players 57:00 Curtesy and respect 62:15 Tennis isn’t always fun