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 players
• How Clinton spotted Mirra Andreeva at age 11
• The biggest misconceptions about talent and technique
• The role of parents in player development
• Why mindset and competitiveness matter most

Hope you enjoy

Fabio

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/FunctionalTennis

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@functionaltennis

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 stretches

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/FunctionalTennis

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@functionaltennis

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 tennis

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/FunctionalTennis

YouTube: Functional Tennis Podcast