“I Didn’t Think I’d Go Pro” Aleks Kovacevic ATP #77
This week on the Functional Tennis Podcast, I’m joined by American ATP player Aleks Kovacevic, currently ranked #77 ATPAleks takes us through his surprising journey to the pro tour, from not thinking he’d ever go pro to finding belief during college and climbing the ATP rankings, including a big win over world #5 Andrey Rublev. He opens up about learning to lose, building confidence, and handling pressure on tour.We also dive into his one-handed backhand, how he approaches training and improvement, and why he’s added the Functional Tennis Saber to his warmup to help with timing and focus.Packed with honest insights and practical takeaways, this is a great listen for aspiring players, coaches, and fans of the grind.FabioThis podcast is sponsored by ASICS. ASICS is a Japanese company founded in 1949 to give more people the opportunity to experience how sports and movement can have a positive impact on mental well-being.To learn more about ASICS visit their website here: https://www.asics.com/nl/en-nl/sports/tennis/Find us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@functionaltennis
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43:47
Spotting Tennis’s Next Star with Clinton Coleman from IMG Tennis
In this episode, I speak with Clinton Coleman, Senior Scout at IMG Tennis, who helped discover and guide some of the sport’s brightest young talents, including Nick Kyrgios, Alexander Eala, Mirra Andreeva at 11. Clinton shares what he really looks for in juniors, why mindset often matters more than strokes, and how parents can either help or hinder a player’s development. We also chat about the biggest scouting misconceptions and what separates good from great in today’s tennis landscape.What he really looks for in young playersHow Clinton spotted Mirra Andreeva at age 11The biggest misconceptions about talent and techniqueThe role of parents in player developmentWhy mindset and competitiveness matter mostHope you enjoyFabioThis podcast is sponsored by ASICS. ASICS is a Japanese company founded in 1949 to give more people the opportunity to experience how sports and movement can have a positive impact on mental well-being.To learn more about ASICS visit their website here: https://www.asics.com/nl/en-nl/sports/tennis/Find us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@functionaltennis
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1:18:18
Luca Van Assche: Building Belief, Beating Pressure, and Loving the Grind
This week I’m joined by Luca Van Assche, one of France’s top young players and a former Roland Garros junior champion. We chat about his fast rise to the ATP top 70, what it really takes to make the jump from juniors to the pros, and how Futures helped build his resilience and confidence. Luca opens up about the pressure of expectations, how he’s managing a ranking drop, and why balancing university studies with tennis keeps him grounded. There’s loads of insight here into how belief, hard work, and enjoying the game really shape a career.🗣️ 3 Key Quotes 1. “You can win 20 junior Slams and not win matches in the pros.” 2. “Sometimes you’re in a bad place and you say, maybe just one year as a normal person would be nice.” 3. “If you’re not 100 percent from the first point, you’re out in 40 minutes.”✅ 5 Takeaway Points: • Winning a junior Slam is just the beginning, not the end goal • Futures helped him build confidence and mental focus • The ATP level demands intensity from the very first point • Balancing school and tennis adds purpose beyond rankings • Long-term goals fuel motivation during tough stretchesThis podcast is sponsored by ASICS. ASICS is a Japanese company founded in 1949 to give more people the opportunity to experience how sports and movement can have a positive impact on mental well-being.To learn more about ASICS visit their website here: https://www.asics.com/nl/en-nl/sports/tennis/Find us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@functionaltennis
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32:50
Sacrificing Will Pay Off in the End – Liam Broady | Ep. 256
Liam Broady returns to the Functional Tennis Podcast to reflect on the highs, lows, and lessons of his 11-year pro journey. From dealing with a concussion just before Wimbledon to learning how to separate self-worth from rankings, Liam opens up on the mental battles that come with life on tour. He also shares what a conversation with Pep Guardiola taught him, and why sacrifices though tough are worth it in the long run.🗣️ 3 Key Quotes: 1. “You’ve got to be willing to make sacrifices that people don’t see.” 2. “You have to learn not to tie your self-worth to your ranking.” 3. “You don’t get to the top without a few scars.”✅ 5 Takeaway Points: • Mental resilience is just as important as physical fitness • Sacrifices are part of long-term success • Separating identity from results is crucial for mental health • Injuries can strike at the worst times, even when you’re ready • Lessons from other sports (like football) can fuel growth in tennisThis podcast is sponsored by ASICS. ASICS is a Japanese company founded in 1949 to give more people the opportunity to experience how sports and movement can have a positive impact on mental well-being.To learn more about ASICS visit their website here: https://www.asics.com/nl/en-nl/sports/tennis/Find us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisYouTube: Functional Tennis Podcast
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55:43
Belief Built Through Hard Work with Francisco Comesaña (ATP 70)
In this episode, I’m joined by rising Argentine star Francisco Comesaña, currently sitting inside the ATP top 70. Francisco shares the grind of coming up through Futures with no funding, how a mindset shift helped him break through, and what it was like beating top names like Rublev and Zverev. We also talk about his first Slam experience at Wimbledon, what it’s like playing on grass for the first time, and why belief, fueled by hard work has been the key to his rise.✅ 5 Takeaway Points 1. Breaking through in Argentina is tough without sponsors or early exposure. 2. Belief and mindset are often more important than talent. 3. Playing Futures is a grind that can break many players mentally. 4. Big wins against players like Rublev and Zverev gave him confidence he belongs. 5. Long-term goals include becoming a better person first, and reaching the top 30.🗣️ 3 Key Quotes 1. “The most important thing was that I started to believe in myself.” 2. “Sometimes players are stuck because of mindset, not level.” 3. “Since I was a kid, I dreamed of playing in Grand Slams.”This podcast is sponsored by ASICS. ASICS is a Japanese company founded in 1949 to give more people the opportunity to experience how sports and movement can have a positive impact on mental well-being.To learn more about ASICS visit their website here: https://www.asics.com/nl/en-nl/sports/tennis/Find us on Social Media:Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennisTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@functionaltennisYouTube: Functional Tennis Podcast
Presented by Fabio Molle, The Functional Tennis Podcast is a downloadable audio show featuring weekly interviews with players, coaches, trainers, tennis parents and experts working at the highest level of tennis.
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