Between The Points

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/

What It Really Takes to Reach the Junior Slams – with Coach Florian Riglet | Between The Points Podcast Ep. 12 10/18/2026

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 /episode/index/show/d1102119-fa07-43d6-a8d8-7b9eebf75b23/id/43346079

How to Practice Like a Pro: What Every Tennis Parent Needs to Hear" ft. ATP Coach Beau Treyz 04/30/2026

Division 1 tennis at Florida University with Max Koller Assistant Coach 02/12/2026

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. /episode/index/show/d1102119-fa07-43d6-a8d8-7b9eebf75b23/id/40091365