Between The Points

Greg Kusnierz

Helping tennis players with their mental fitness. Our goal is to help you play free, in the zone, and with unshakable confidence. On a mission to help tennis players think and feel that they are enough, win or lose. find us on insta https://www.instagram.com/greg.kusnierz/

Épisodes

  1. 18 oct.

    What It Really Takes to Reach the Junior Slams – with Coach Florian Riglet | Between The Points Podcast Ep. 12

    Florian Riglet worked in the French Federation's training system before moving to Florida in 2021. He led the high-performance girls' program at ProWorld Tennis Academy in Delray Beach, the academy where Sofia Kenin trained on her way to the 2020 Australian Open title until stepping down to travel with ITF junior players. He spends 25 to 30 weeks a year on the road with players moving from ITF juniors and the junior slams into early pro events. In this episode, Greg and Florian talk about: Why a family's values and the way a child is raised matter more than any technique, and how easy it is for a coach to "mess up" a kid. Why focusing on winning right now can get in the way of long-term development. How Florian keeps parents involved in the process, and what he does when they see things differently. What it really takes to reach the junior slams, and why a top-100 junior ranking alone isn't the goal. Why so many families really move to Florida: college scholarships, NIL, and college tennis as a path to the pros. When turning pro straight out of juniors actually makes sense. What top juniors have in common: they hate losing, love competing and "turn on" when it matters. Why the mental side is the hardest part to train, and why coaches need to see players compete in person. What Djokovic gets right: it's not about having no negative thoughts, it's about managing them. The power of saying nothing: why Florian lets players feel their frustration before stepping in. Why you should wait a few hours before giving feedback after a match, win or lose. Why there's more room in pro tennis than most juniors think, and why the years you spend chasing it are never wasted. Chapters  00:00 Intro 00:20 Coaching high-performance juniors: Europe vs. the US 02:00 Values, education & the parent's role 05:36 Performance vs. progression 06:32 Keeping parents part of the team 07:25 When parents see things differently 08:52 What it takes to play the junior slams 11:20 Why families move to Florida (college, NIL & the pro path) 15:05 College vs. turning pro 16:25 Traits of players who make it 17:58 The mental game & why it's the hardest to train 23:55 ProWorld Tennis Academy & Florian's role 27:30 Why coaches and mental coaches need to be at tournaments 32:10 Djokovic & managing negative thoughts 35:00 The power of staying quiet after a bad shot 37:25 Why to wait before giving post-match feedback 39:35 Advice for juniors: there's room for everyone 42:00 The journey matters more than the goal 43:28 Where to find Florian 🎧 Listen on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts. 📲 Follow @greg.kusnierz on Instagram

  2. 30 avr.

    How to Practice Like a Pro: What Every Tennis Parent Needs to Hear" ft. ATP Coach Beau Treyz

    What does it really take to develop a junior tennis player into a professional? I sat down with Beau Treyz — former collegiate player (University of Nebraska & University of North Florida), ATP-level coach, and author — for one of the most honest and practical conversations I've had on the show. Beau has lived both sides of the journey. He grinded through the Futures circuit, worked at country clubs to fund his playing career, and has spent the last 6-7 years coaching at the professional level, including current work with American ATP player Brandon Holt. In this episode we cover: Why most junior players practice wrong — and what to do instead The role of athleticism in closing the gap between practice and match performance Serving and returning strategies that actually prepare you for competition How to reframe missed shots so they build confidence instead of killing it The mental shift from outcome-focused to process-oriented thinking The realistic picture of the junior-to-pro pathway (the good, the hard, and the financial reality) Where American tennis is headed — and why both of us are optimistic Beau also shares details on his newly published book on tennis drills and strategy, built specifically to help developing players compete at a higher level. Whether you're a junior player, a tennis parent, or a coach — this one is packed. 🎾 Connect with Beau Treyz: https://www.instagram.com/beau.treyz/ 📘 Beau's Book: https://www.amazon.com/How-Tennis-Think-Compete-Potential/dp/B08LQS1T7N/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=how+to+tennis+beau+treyz&qid=1607296988&sprefix=how+to+tennis&sr=8-1&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnHY9XWChEyJ2mAY0btVa-A4SHQlXQZWU8AmSVFpNyUeVx40uhfb8Y_TXJ0Vw_aem_GoUZsKcrM-NuXWBfb30PQQ 🎾 Between The Points Mental Fitness Academy 🌐 https://betweenthepoints.com/ 📩 info@betweenthepoints.com 📲 @greg.kusnierz

  3. 12 févr.

    Division 1 tennis at Florida University with Max Koller Assistant Coach

    In this episode, Max and I Zoomed in and discussed aspects of his journey and what it takes to be a division 1 tennis player. Journey from Student to Coach Max shared his journey from being a student manager at the University of Florida to becoming a college tennis coach, highlighting his non-traditional background and the benefits it brings to his coaching approach. He discussed the differences between junior tennis and college tennis, emphasizing the shift from individual development to team-oriented play at the college level. Max also explained how he creates a team environment for players transitioning from junior tennis, where individual success is often the focus. Tennis Performance Through Habits and Culture Max Koller discussed the importance of developing good habits and routines in tennis players to achieve consistency and performance, particularly in college and professional settings. He emphasized the value of team culture, body language, and maintaining high energy and focus during matches. We talked about the importance of external expressions and maintaining consistent effort throughout a match. Florida Gators Recruiting Strategy Max discussed the challenges of integrating external competitors into the Florida Gators' team culture, emphasizing the importance of recruiting players who fit the program's mold and the influence of surrounding teammates on individual behavior. He highlighted the recruiting process, focusing on identifying high-character players with a proven winning track record, and provided an example of a successful transfer student, Pablo Perez Ramos, who exemplifies these qualities. MaxKo also explained that the team prioritizes finding players who genuinely want to be Florida Gators, rather than those who need convincing, and conducts thorough vetting of both recruits and their families. Player Evaluation and Coaching Aspirations MaxKo discussed his approach to evaluating players and their families during the recruitment process, emphasizing the importance of independent behavior and respectful interactions. He shared his career aspirations, expressing a desire to become a head coach at the college level. MaxKo also reflected on the challenges and rewards of coaching, highlighting the significance of relationships in the sport. The conversation concluded with MaxKo offering advice to junior players to stay passionate and persistent in their pursuit of tennis success.

    Division 1 tennis at Florida University with Max Koller Assistant Coach
  4. 30/04/2025

    HOW TO HANDLE PRESSURE IN TENNIS WITH DR ELLEN REED

    In this episode of Between the Points, Dr Ellen Reed, a renowned High-Performance Coach and best-selling author, discusses the mental workout, designed by her mentor and colleague Dr. Jason Selk. The mental workout is an actionable approach that takes 2-3 minutes daily and allows us to be abnormal on the tennis court and handle the pressure situation like a champion. Here's way that the Mental Workout can help. Handling Pressure Situations: Mental toughness allows players to stay composed during crucial points in a match, such as tiebreaks or break points. Techniques like deep breathing, visualization, and focusing on the next point can help maintain composure. Overcoming Adversity: Players need to stay resilient when facing setbacks, whether it's losing a few games in a row, dealing with bad weather, or coming back from an injury. Mentally tough athletes can maintain confidence and adjust their strategies despite these challenges​ Focus and Emotional Control: Maintaining focus and controlling emotions are essential. Players often practice mindfulness techniques, such as mindful breathing and body scans, to stay present and reduce anxiety. Positive self-talk and reframing negative thoughts are also effective strategies Check out more of Dr. Ellen Reed https://www.instagram.com/drellenreed/ https://linktr.ee/drellenreed More from me INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/greg.kusnierz/ WEBSITE https://betweenthepoints.com/  YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@greg.kusnierz

    HOW TO HANDLE PRESSURE IN TENNIS WITH DR ELLEN REED

À propos

Helping tennis players with their mental fitness. Our goal is to help you play free, in the zone, and with unshakable confidence. On a mission to help tennis players think and feel that they are enough, win or lose. find us on insta https://www.instagram.com/greg.kusnierz/