Coaching #1 Ranked Professional Players.

Developmental conversations with some of the world's top coaches: Paul Annacone, Brad Gilbert, Gavin Hopper, Brad Stine and Bob Brett

Behind the superstars of tennis stand the unsung heroes of the sport -- their coaches. Do you know who the above coaches teach? Paul Annacone coaches Pete Sampras; Brad Gilbert coaches Andre Agassi; Gavin Hopper coaches Monica Seles; Brad Stine coaches Jim Courier; and Bob Brett coaches Nicholas Kiefer.

Words such as, "experience, maturity, intelligence, desire, wisdom, passion and dedication" summarize what it means to be a top coach. I have had the opportunity to sit down with some of the world's most respected coaches in professional tennis. Through observations and personal conversations with these coaches, I have been very fortunate to discuss coaching information about the sport we love so dearly. Due to space restrictions I will not be able to share entire conversations with each coach in this month's article. I will however use some points from each conversation to highlight valuable developmental information. I hope you enjoy what they have to share...

Specific Coaching Feedback

Photo of Paul Annacone and Reggie by Willow Currie.

For young players, the coach needs to set priorities and developmental goals with the player in order for proper development to occur. Now as the player becomes chronologically older and gains more maturity the amount of "direction as to what to work on " during practice sessions and lessons begins to come increasingly from the player him or herself. From my perspective it is vital for younger juniors to set goals with personal coaches. Goals can deal with such topics as performance, technical, tactical, psychological and physical. If goals, often categorized as present, short term, mid and long term, are met, then winning can take on a whole new meaning. See my past article on "Periodization a Key to Success for the Serious Training Tennis Player."

Annacone and I went on to discuss other topics, one of which is the "human factor." Professional players, with all their brilliance, still are capable of making tactical errors just like collegiate and juniors. Annacone agrees with a smile and adds, "it's unfortunate but many people forget that Pete is just like the rest of us...human, he has feelings and can be emotionally vulnerable." Paul brings up a good point -- we as tennis coaches and tennis parents need to understand that when a player loses (especially in the juniors) they actually wanted to win instead of lose. There are times when I have seen players being terribly scolded for losing. We must always remember that 99% of the time a junior wants to win and tries to win. Also winning can mean many things and should not be associated with simply the win / loss column. I mentioned to Paul that kid's today are playing at such a high caliber of play and sometimes we as tennis coaches and parents may forget that they are still children. We need to always try to keep things in perspective, and remember why people play the game. He agreed and said, "spread the word Reggie, always keep it fun."

Intensity and Energy

Gavin Hopper, coach of Monica Seles (and Mark Philippoussis), sets physical training goals for Monica Seles. His background and specialty is in the physical training area. Gavin says, "Monica is such a driven person, full of intensity, that after I create a training regimen for her she uses that personal drive to accomplish any task that I suggest." I asked Gavin to describe what characteristics describe himself. He said, "Intense. Monica and I share an intensity that is needed to reach her goals. I like to be able to go on and off the court with Monica and feel that intensity. Sometimes she feeds off of my energy and other times I am able to use her energy to keep practice at a high level." I personally believe that the coach and player need to be able to use each others energy to help one another train at high standards. During practice and training, if the coach lacks energy and does not exude motivation the player may suffer. This is because the training environment does not promote high standards of training. This is not to say that a coach needs to be jumping up and down with each word spoken but he or she must be able to find a way to continually activate the player in order to get the most out of that player. For young kids, the energy of the coach is very important to the success of a lesson. Kid's can easily tell if a coach is having fun or if a coach is bored during a lesson.

Care and Professional Player Characteristics

I noted to Brad that when I have traveled with international juniors to I.T.F events it is clearly apparent to me that some of these players are destined to be excellent college level players but not professionals. Some I believe will never be able to successfully compete at the professional level because of their player characteristics: biomechanical linkages, genetic make up, limited strokes and other factors. Brad agreed whole-heartedly with me and added, "...even with proper characteristics, to make it successfully at the pro level it takes ...lots of time...patience...good coaching and a strong support team...of course a little luck never hurts." I added that all players need the financial backing to pay for all the expenses, and he agreed.

Synergy: Between the Coach and Player

Later, I sat down with Brad and asked him questions about coaching, development and his relationship with Andre. One of my questions was, "who is more competitive you or Andre?" Brad replies, "good question, but I think that Andre just edges me out, he is a bit more passionate than me." After I talked with Brad and he gave me some insight about Andre and his character, he explained that, "Andre likes to feel that excitement and electricity on and off the court." It is that synergistic bond of intensity and playfulness that makes Brad and Andre perfect for one another. Whether the intensity is exuded through physical gestures, tennis actions or words, it is continuous and Brad believes Andre needs this electric atmosphere to perform at his best. For coaches, players and tennis parents it is a bond that needs to be developed with great care and effort. If we as coaches or tennis parents bring about this high intensity with negative conditioning, then all our efforts may be lost. Try to be positive and when a player seems flat or is in a low energy state -- then maybe it is time for a mini-break. If after the break the intensity does not resume then try rationalizing why the intensity is not high. Ask questions to the player such as, "do you think your intensity is high? could it be better? is this your best effort?" etc.

Coaching Challenges and Solutions

Long ago Bob was fortunate to be able to apprentice as a coach with the legendary Australian coach Harry Hopman who Bob regards at the world's greatest coach. With sport sciences and improved coaching certification systems from tennis federations, many coaches today are more than ever capable of coaching successfully. However, with increased knowledge comes greater responsibility in how to communicate and implement corrections. During one of our conversations, I told Bob that I have seen over my travels coaches whom I call, "fault finders" who use primarily negative conditioning to get their points across." I stated that when I speak at tennis conferences, I often take the time to visit local tennis clubs and academies to observe fellow coaches and programs. Sometimes I have found coaches whose intentions are commendable, but at other times I have observed coaches who seem bitter and full of negativity, only emphasizing a player's mistakes. These coaches tend to forget to simply praise the "players efforts."

Bob agreed and said, "...solving player problems is a task that all coaches continually have to do in order for the player to perform with excellence. But I think it is important to give positive feedback and constructive criticism, not simply negative feedback. There needs to be a good balance of both." Bob went on to say, "...I personally like the challenges of working with a player who many say is difficult. You know, players who many say are not worth the effort. Goran (Ivanisevic) was a player who I coached who some may have seen as difficult to coach. It is this type of challenge that really inspire me." I asked Bob to comment on his achievements with players past and present. Bob explained to me that it was not fair for him to sight a single player and achievement and so he shared with me a wonderful series of treasured coach/ player moments.

One of those moments involved Boris Becker (I believe at the 89) Wimbledon semi-finals against Ivan Lendl. Bob said, "Boris lost the first set and was down in the second set when the rain came. There was a rain delay and I met with Boris in the locker room to discuss the match. I gave Boris some feedback which may in his mind at that specific moment in time been harsh. But sometimes you have to put an exclamation point on your words in order to get your point across." He said that after he finished what he had to say, Boris was extremely mad at him. Boris did not say a single word to Bob and he refused to speak. When play resumed Boris won the unfinished set, lost the 3rd and then with a focused effort won the 4th and 5th sets to win the semi-final match. Bob told me, "...Boris went on to the finals where he beat Stefan (Edberg) quite handily..." What Bob had said worked. Little changes and tactical intricacies often can make a very influential difference to a match. Bob explained to me that, "...coaches sometimes have to be stern with their players and that there is a line that needs to be established. Players need to be able to recognize when you are doing your job as coach and when you are being a supportive friend...it is up to the coach to make it easy for them..."

This is a lesson that some coaches have not yet learned. We as coaches and tennis parents need to be able to understand our roles completely. In the sometimes emotional world of high performance tennis, we lose site of what our role is. Often coaches need to thread a fine line between being a coach and a friend. It is a difficult task to continually perform but we need to master the roles. Tennis parents need to find the balance between giving unconditional support and giving feedback to their children. Sometimes these lines are never established or clearly defined so that at times there is a crossing of signals and meanings to the player.

Finish Line

The road to development is a long one and we as players, coaches, and tennis parents need to continually improve ourselves in order for there to be a realistic chance to achieve goals. Excellence cannot be attained if one does not welcome the challenges. We all need to have an open mind in order to learn. The mind is like a parachute -- it doesn't work if it isn't open. I am honored that you have taken the time to read this month's article. Congratulations to you my friend and more importantly to the people with whom you come into contact! Make a positive powerful impact!

Reggie

P.S. Greetings to my new tennis friend Patrick from New Zealand. I hope one day to be able to meet you in person so that we may share ideas on development and on growing the game. The internet is truly an amazing tool, it allows us to meet and communicate with friends around the world. Each month through e-mail letters I have made new tennis friends around the world. It never ceases to surprise and amaze me as to the quality of tennis people who are out there kindly taking the time to read my column. If you haven't e-mailed me before please do so friends at reggie@tennisserver.com, even if it is to simply say, "hello my name is _____ and I live in ______." It would be nice to know who you are and your thoughts.

Once again, I will be speaking at the U.S.P.T.A.'s World Conference later on September 23, 1998. I hope to see you in California!!!!

This column is copyright 1998 by Reggie Vasquez Jr., all rights reserved.

Reggie Vasquez Jr. is one of Canada's leading tennis coaches for juniors. He is actively involved with Tennis Canada's grassroots player development. A frequent and enthusiastic speaker at tennis conferences, he is certified by the U.S.P.T.A., Tennis Canada and the U.S.P.T.R.. For almost 7 years he was a head coach for the Canadian Davis cup Captain's Academy at the Canada's National Tennis Center. He has been a Tennis Canada - National Youth Tennis Center Leader for over 8 years and is presently a head coach of an Elite Tennis Academy. He has experience working with juniors from the absolute beginner to the international caliber tennis player. Reggie is also a published author on junior tennis. His personal web site has additional information on his book, the Kids' Book of Tennis. The Kids' Book of Tennis can be ordered directly at a discount using this link to the Amazon.com online bookstore.

Questions and comments about these columns can be directed to Reggie by electronic mail at reggie@tennisserver.com.