The Functional Tennis Podcast

College tennis has never been stronger on court… but behind the scenes, major changes are happening. In this episode, I’m joined by ITA CEO Dave Mullins to break down what’s really going on in US college tennis right now. We discuss NIL deals, players getting paid, why some universities are cutting tennis programmes, and whether the current system is sustainable long term. We also chat about: Why...

While at the Italian Open in Rome with ASICS, I got the chance to sit down with Luciano Darderi for this mini episode of the Functional Tennis Podcast. Luciano talks about growing up between Argentina and Italy, being coached by his dad, and why his family sacrificed so much to help him pursue professional tennis. He also shares what changed as he climbed the rankings, what separates the very best...

In this short episode from the Italian Open in Rome, I sit down with Mattia Bellucci for a quick chat about his journey from an average junior career to breaking into the ATP Top 100. Mattia talks about growing up in Italy, being coached by his dad, why he decided to stop focusing on juniors and jump into Futures events early, and what changed once he started competing at ATP level. He also shares...

What does it actually take to compete at the top level in under-12 tennis today? In this episode, I’m at the IMG Future Stars in Greece, where some of the best young players in the world come together to compete, learn, and experience life at a high-performance event. I sit down with Sebastian Lavie to get his perspective as a coach on what’s changed over the last few years, what stands out at thi...

I tried something new. For a long time, I’ve talked about starting a YouTube channel where I get back on court and test myself against players better than me. The reality is, I never really had the time to do it properly. Now I’ve finally started. In this first video, I take on one of Ireland’s best players, Sinead Lohan, to see how I stack up and to explore the level difference. This is the first...

Over the past 12 months, I’ve been working with biomechanics researcher Dr Nick Busuttil to better understand one simple question… Does the Functional Tennis Saber actually improve your game? In this episode, we dive into the findings from that research and what really happens when players train with a constraint racket. We discuss how the Saber influences stroke mechanics, why players may initial...

Marc Polmans is now ranked inside the top 60 in doubles after making the Australian Open doubles final but he still sees himself as a singles player. In this episode, we talk about the reality of balancing singles ambition with doubles opportunity, and how one Grand Slam run can shift your season financially, mentally, and strategically. Marc shares: From not being in the draw to Aussie Open final...

Justin Van Malderen from Luxilon is back on the Functional Tennis Podcast. At the 2025 US Open, 55% of the Top 100 were using Luxilon strings. In this episode, we discuss why. We talk about falling string tensions on tour, how modern powerful rackets are changing string demands, and why today’s aggressive baseline game requires more durability and control than ever. We also dive into why I chose L...

In this episode of the Functional Tennis Podcast, I’m joined by Yuhi Tanigaki , Product Manager for Tennis Footwear at ASICS, to go behind the scenes of the new Solution Speed FF4. Yuhi plays a central role in shaping ASICS tennis shoes, working closely with designers, researchers, professional athletes, and recreational players to turn feedback into real on court performance. We cover what actual...

A brief catchup with whats been going on at Functional Tennis Podcast break New Saber Editions The FT99 New 2027 products Tariff complications Podcast guests

This week on the Functional Tennis Podcast, Fabio chats with Jonas Eriksson , better known as Tennis Nerd, the go-to voice in the tennis world for rackets. With the Functional Tennis Racket of the Year competition underway, Fabio and Jonas break down the most talked-about rackets of 2025 , what to expect from the 2026 launches , and why so many pros are playing with blacked-out frames . They also...

This week I’m joined once again by Dutch ATP player Jesper de Jong , who has continued his steady rise on the professional circuit. Since our last chat, Jesper has broken into the top 100, reached his first ATP final at the Swedish Open, and played a key role for the Netherlands in Davis Cup. We talk about what feels different now that he’s inside the top 100, the lessons he’s learned from the tou...

This week on the Functional Tennis Podcast I’m joined once again by Portuguese player Jaime Faria , who continues to make strides on the ATP Tour. Since our last chat, Jaime has broken into the top 100, won two Challenger titles, and battled through Grand Slam qualifying winning 11 of his last 12 matches and even sneaking into the US Open as a lucky loser. One of the standout moments of his year w...

This week on the Functional Tennis Podcast, I’m joined once again by Garry Cahill, one of Ireland’s most respected coaches, former Davis Cup captain, and Performance Director at Tennis Ireland. In this episode, Garry dives into the realities of tennis parenting and why every family’s journey is unique. He explains why no two kids are the same, why parents shouldn’t try to copy someone else’s pathw...

This week on the Functional Tennis Podcast I’m joined by John Williams, coach and mentor to world number 1 doubles player Taylor Townsend. John’s approach to coaching is anything but conventional. He doesn’t just build tennis players, he builds characters. In this chat we talk about the characteristics he looks for in players, how his outside-the-box thinking shapes their development, and why mind...

In this episode, I chat with 17-year-old American wheelchair tennis player Charlie Cooper, a rising star who’s already claimed 2 junior wheelchair singles Grand Slam titles. Born with spina bifida, Charlie’s journey into tennis started with local clinics and has now taken him to the top levels of junior competition. He shares how making the decision to go full-time in 2023 completely changed his d...

🎙️ This week on the Functional Tennis Podcast, I’m joined by Dasha Vidmanova , the former US College #1 player and 2024 NCAA singles, doubles, and team champion . Born in Moscow and raised in Prague, Dasha’s journey through tennis has been anything but linear. From nearly walking away from the sport to becoming a dominant force in college tennis, she now has her sights set on making waves on the p...

This week on the Functional Tennis Podcast, I’m joined by American ATP player Aleks Kovacevic, currently ranked #77 ATP Aleks 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 handlin...

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 bi...

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 universi...

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 wo...

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 firs...

The return of Joe O'Dwyer to the Function Tennis Podcast marks a significant occasion, as it has been five years since his previous appearance. In this enlightening conversation, O'Dwyer, a seasoned ATP and WTA coach, reflects upon his extensive career on the tour, which began in 1999 and has traversed through various eras of tennis. He recounts his experiences coaching notable players such as Rob...

In this episode, Lorenzo Petrucci, performance coach to WTA top-20 player Liudmila Samsonova , shares his journey from a tennis-playing student in Milan to working alongside some of the sport’s top talent. He reveals how success on tour is about far more than hitting balls, it’s about managing pressure, building smart routines, and knowing when (and how) to push. From insights learned under Ricard...

In this episode of the Functional Tennis Podcast , host Fabio Molle interviews Pol Toledo , coach of Paula Badosa , discussing her journey, training methodologies, and challenges on the WTA Tour. Pol shares insights into his coaching philosophy, the impact of statistical analysis, and the importance of mental resilience in elite tennis. He also reflects on his transition from player to coach, his...