World Tennis Conference 2026. Dream Big. Coach Better!

World Tennis Conference 2026. Dream Big. Coach Better!

The World Tennis Conference, in its sixth edition, strives to create a bridge between the game’s elite coaches and leaders and the global coaching community. Hosted by the Segal Institute and GPTCA, with the support of the ATP, this four-day virtual high-performance tennis conference has assembled over 80 speakers, including legendary tennis figures, industry leaders, renowned scientists, and the world’s most distinguished coaches.

The WTC is invested in developing coaches by disseminating knowledge and experience so they may elevate their players and help them achieve their goals. For a reasonable fee, participants will have repeated access to over seventy online presentations and interactive workshops.

Steve Whelan: Why most tennis practice fails under pressure – an ecological dynamics perspective

Education of Intention in tennis: an ecological dynamics perspective. How do we know if we are a good coach and we’re designing practices for skill acquisition? Most importantly, how much of that skill is transferred from practice to match court? This is crucial. Tennis is complex and perpetually changing; are coaches making it too simple?

Performance is emergent; change and adaptation are continual in real time. You’ll play differently if you are 40-0 up vs 0-40 down. No time limit in tennis; the clock never runs out, so fatigue is a salient variable. Omitting information isn’t conducive to learning. Players must experience dynamic environments. They are repeatedly looking at problems/solutions in real time and rendering decisions under pressure. Tennis is an ever evolving relationship between player, task, and environment. Coaches must present problems because information guides action while intention organizes behavior. Since skills develop within a context, coaches must design intentions. Players are processing information based on intentions and looking for opportunities to actualize them. Practice must simulate match play; it must be representative. For more information, connect @mytenniscoaching

Mikhail Haurylchyk: Human First: AI and the future of tennis analytics

He’s the founder and CEO of Tennis Comstat – a data-driven tennis analysis service for players and coaches. They compile and organize match data and video in one place. With a blended tagging model, a portion of the data is collected automatically while the rest is collected manually by tagging operators. Raw data collection or tagging  mines smart rackets, sensors, wearables, smart court systems, and live cameras, but it also can be collected from a single camera using computer vision. How much AI is too much? This is the prevailing conundrum. Humans remain essential for match analysis. Utilize AI where better than humans and utilize humans where they ‘re better than AI. Coaches are able to create and run their own AI agents, capable of providing super personalized information based on context, coaching methods, nutrition, and psychology. How is data transformed into actionable information? It generates insights, but how is that data utilized? AI is a helpful assistant, not a replacement for coaches. Human-to-human interaction is critical for a productive player/coach partnership. Tennis is a battle between players; AI and data just help us better understand that interaction. The tennis industry by nature is quite conservative. Future goal: better automated data collection that enables faster video processing with better accuracy and quality. In addition, computer vision models will improve and markedly assist coaches in detecting patterns and summarizing performances. Camera infrastructure is lacking. Since data analysis starts with video, more courts will gradually incorporate cameras. Don’t be obsessed with stats – humas are vital! For more information, please visit https://tenniscomstat.com/about

Max Miryni: My views and concepts on professional coaching.

Former ATP singles and doubles champion, currently working with world #1, Aryna Sabalenka. Players maintain an ego-driven mentality. Coaches cannot be egoistic; it’s imperative to support the player regardless of level. What’s best for my player? What are the pertinent issues? Is it technical, logistical?  It’s critical to offer the proper advice in the proper way at the proper time. As in doubles, one cannot go days without sharing information. A player’s career is very short. Most elite players have multiple coaches, so it’s essential that the team is in sync. Transitioning from juniors to pros: the evolution of the sport is driven by a multitude of factors, so those capable of adaptation will succeed. They also must play a lot of matches, even if it means relocating. Ensure they are competing at the right level. Wins garner confidence, so your players should be challenged – not overwhelmed by the competition. An enormous amount of patience is required from all team members, including the parents. Losing is inevitable; how does the player process setbacks? Develop the game as a junior so it will serve them as a pro. Must manage expectations; focus on your player and their path – not the competition. Don’t obsess over rankings or win/loss ratio. Focus on how well you improved the backhand down the line over the past two weeks. Juniors with potential are not afraid to work; they’ll do anything to win. Develop the transition and attacking game. Ample time spent in the forecourt is mandatory. Imparting a respect for tennis history, its legends, mavericks, and rules of the game will positively impact players at all levels. For more information, please visit @maxmirnyi  

Toni Nadal: How to develop your vision like a coach.

GPTCA board member since its founding. Uncle and coach of 22-time Grand Slam champion, Rafa Nadal. Since he wasn’t a good player, he transitioned to coaching and was motivated to help others reach their potential. He strove to always expand his tennis IQ. He sees himself primarily as a teacher. Do things right no matter the level of the player! Coaches must provide advice on/off the court. Do things in an easy, simple way; add value to your player. Develop their strategic game and strive to always improve. Coaches must look at the total package and maintain a comprehensive perspective. A strategic arsenal separates good from great coaches. While the fundamentals of the game are fixed, variables are always changing. Coaches must stay abreast of the game’s evolution in addition to the challenges posed by opponents. Coaches should always improve while safeguarding core principles. Coaches must impart to their players a greater understanding of the game. Coaches must motivate; turn your player into a champion with words and actions. Players should always give their best and be willing to improve. By relying too heavily on data analytics, players and coaches miss subtle nuances revealed over the course of a match. Coaches must elucidate areas for improvement, be it technical, tactical, emotional, or some combination. Coaches must be passionate, maintain an open mind, and seek advice from others. Coaches should possess and maintain high standards while players embrace adversity on court. For more information, please visit  https://toninadal.es/en/  

Gaurav Malhotra: The engine of serve speed; tool-driven power

The founder and coaching director of Limitless Center of Excellence. Coaches must understand how the kinetic chain and training tools influence serve velocity. The serve is the preeminent shot; the point starts with the serve and everything connects from it. Serve speed is greatly misunderstood. It’s not about strength or the person’s natural ability; it’s the efficient sequencing of the kinetic chain. With practical tools and drills, we can train the kinetic chain and identify its weakest link. Power originates from the ground and travels throughout the entire body. Research has revealed that serve speed comes from efficient kinetic chain sequencing – not just from arm power. Proper technique will amplify the force generated through the kinetic chain. If any part of the link breaks down, a significant amount of power is lost. No single body part creates serve speed; it’s created by stacking energy through the body. Common mechanical issues limit players from developing a powerful serve, while they risk injury with arm-dominant acceleration. To develop a serve engine, utilize a variety of training tools and drills, including resistance bands, balance boards, a medicine ball, and shadow serve sequencing. On-court drills involve loading the body, transferring energy, and accelerating the racquet head. The goal isn’t just repetition – it’s improved coordination and timing. The best serves are built and engineered over time. By training the kinetic chain, players can generate more speed with less effort and boost their confidence. For more information, please visit https://limitlesstennisce.com/

Jack Broudy: The nonlinear momentum

To play with power, control, and free from injury, one must engage the hip/arm connection. Energy initiates in the core, transcends down to the legs and up into the arms and racquet head. Movement must be integrated, especially under pressure. The universal figure eight is a fluid motion that begets rhythm and momentum. While the head remains still, we coordinate our movements with the path and flight of the ball. The figure eight is vertical and horizontal. The forehand and backhand are one universal stroke on a figure eight continuum. A small internal figure eight generates a big external figure eight with the racquet and body. Everything radiates exponentially from the center out, generating effortless power. Like a sine wave, the arms relax and work off the hips. Tennis is the coordination of the inner and outer body, yielding an effortless and big ball. For more information, please visit https://www. broudytennis.com/, home of the effortless game.
Brian Teacher High-intent footwork: synchronizing the human supercomputer for elite interception synchronization.

Australian Open champion, longtime coach, and the founder and CEO of Full Court Tennis. Especially for US juniors, widespread fast failure is prevalent. They train hard, but the feet, core, and timing are not in sync. Footwork is being taught in isolation, and that is problematic. The human supercomputer is the brain and body working as one system. Every shot in tennis is a calculation. A multitude of decisions are made in a fraction of a second. If, however, the feet are disconnected, the system receives bad data, resulting in bad output. Don’t chase the ball on the return! With high-intensity footwork – proper spacing, loading, and timing – the return will be optimal, enabling the supercomputer to make clean, purposeful decisions under pressure. Champions are built in repetition. Young players are taught to react before they understand how to load. Learn to load with the feet first! When feet don’t provide the load, the wrist pays the price, and eventually, the body breaks down. Use a medicine ball to achieve this. You’ll drive the shot with the body – not the arm. Power comes from transferring energy from back to the front foot. This is the flow state that all elite players possess, and it should be trained. Don’t swing/slash at the ball: load, connect, and drive. Don’t wait for the ball; start creating, master the foundation, and own the cockpit. Execute with intent. By developing real speed, you can see the ball, get into the slot, and drive. For more information, please visit https://www. broudytennis.com/

Gianluca Carbone From bridging the gap to preventing the break. The invisible load about ANS – autonomic nervous system

A coach and physical trainer for over twenty-five years who has worked with Albert Ramos Vinoilas and Marco Cecchinato. Performance and injury prevention cannot be separated. Coaches and trainers must work together; otherwise, there will be consequences. Why are today’s players breaking down sooner? Especially for high-performance players, invisible loads are not being addressed. Loads include increased speed and rotation, increased spinal and hip demands, and compensation before injury. Even with great technique, there are more injuries. Extreme loads are placed on the kinetic chain. Today’s game is faster, and strokes are more rotational. The body will continue to compensate until it fails. Invisible load is the sum of the stressors impacting a player on a continual basis which traditional metrics fail to elucidate. For example, breathing: holding ones breath under stress functions to alter motor coordination while reducing trunk stability. Footwork is also affected by the invisible load, with compensation resulting in injuries. Players may outwardly appear high functioning with sound technique but internally, the nervous system is overloaded. With 90 as opposed to 100% intensity, a player can preserve quality and control while sustaining performance over time. In order to prevent injury and extend careers, there must be a shared language, integrated decisions, and the identification of visible and invisible loads. For more information, please visit https://www. gianlucacarbone.com/

Filip Maric Calf muscle injuries in tennis: mechanisms, recovery, and prevention

A strength and conditioning coach who has worked with players of all levels. Professional tennis players are traveling and competing for approximately eleven months. Some injuries are catastrophic and career-ending. Calf muscle injuries, specifically the back of the calf, are prevalent. Calf muscles are widely neglected in training and, when injured, require months of rigorous rehabilitation. During rehab, the feet and ankles must also be addressed, for this is where the kinetic chain originates. Overuse injuries are common. Many injuries occur late in the match when the player experiences the most fatigue. Even if well prepared, injuries are inevitable due to an exceptionally long season played in different time zones on a variety of surfaces. Rehabilitation is a time to recover as well as improve. Range of motion is worked on simultaneously with strength and power, while plyometrics are incorporated at the tail end of the program. Players cannot return to competition without enduring this phase since calves are vertical propulsors. If a player can handle advanced plyometrics, it’s highly probable that they are ready to return to competition. Re-injury, however, is always a risk. If we neglect the calves, we jeopardize the kinetic chain with the hips locked in flexion. Tennis is all about deceleration, and peak forces on the calves are greatest during maximal deceleration. The gastrocnemius with two heads is the most injured part of the calf for it traverses the knee and ankle. Rehab includes observing the player on court – not just in the gym or controlled environment. Prevention is key. With the off-season extremely short, training must take place throughout the season and incorporate the entire body. Strengthening the feet and ankles is crucial because they are the foundation. To connect, please visit https://www. linkedin.com/in/filip-maric

Dr. Greg Prudhomme The truth about confidence: coaching all levels to perform better under pressure

Most people still misinterpret confidence. Coaches need to deliver mental skills that should be integrated into daily practices, on-court, and one-on-one. Why is confidence so fleeting? How is it developed? How can it be sustained? How can we get it back once lost? Self-belief vs self-doubt based on the last match or practice; this is referred to as variable confidence. Coaches must be on alert for negative self-talk, body language, and capitulation. Attempt to expand the player’s vision to their overall performance timeline. True confidence does not waver since it’s not based on yesterday’s result. This is known as fixed confidence, which is based on consistent personality traits. Coaches must build that fixed confidence brick by brick. Focus on process not outcome; it’s the journey not the end result. Players must always give maximum effort and look for the silver lining. Teach them to be optimists who glean vital information from results. Positive self-talk, attitude, and body language are under the player’s control. We want the fixed confidence to grow, but in actuality, we don’t need it! If we stay present and in the now, fixed confidence becomes irrelevant. Undivided attention is requisite – this point, this game, this set. Stay supremely focused on the task at hand. Past results are inconsequential. Control the controllables point by point in practice, then apply during matches. Don’t dwell on the past or fear the future. Stay present! For more information, please visit https://www. pruperformance.com/

Marius Barnard Tennis builds leadership. Do we coach it that way?

He competed on tour for thirteen years and concluded that tennis informs leadership. He currently coaches leadership at high-performing levels in business. Lessons from competitive scenarios have business applications. Are coaches too focused on winning and losing? Are we ignoring larger lessons to be learned? Should we prepare athletes for leadership roles beyond the court once they’ve retired? When playing tennis, should you stick with plan A? Is there a plan B, or do you just try to implement plan A better? Tennis is a leadership laboratory: self-regulation, resilience, strategy and goal setting, motivation, and confidence building. Be present and focus on the process, not the outcome. By doing this, he alleviated a lot of the pressure he placed on himself. In tennis, so much is out of your control so focus on what you can control. In doubles, it’s sink or swim. It’s a pressure cooker environment that demands trust, open communication, shared decision-making, and strategies. Play point by point and recognize self-limiting behaviors, negative body language, and self-talk. Self-judgment leads to self-sabotage. He took control of his memories and self-narrative and learned to anchor the good even in difficult times. Are you the CEO of your career?  Tennis imparts ownership and accountability while managing relationships and building teams. In addition, it entails strategic thinking and learning from but not dwelling on mistakes. Coaches should enlighten players by making them aware of these business parallels. Tennis affords players and coaches the opportunity to pivot and develop into future business leaders.  

Brian Dillman Racquet sports for the health and fun of it
The Hire Standard  – Racquet sports professionals raising the bar

He is the CEO of RSPA – Racquet Sports Professionals Association. For almost 100 years, it has led the racquet industry with the gold standard in certification and  professional development. From recreational players to the professional tour, the industry is rapidly changing and growing. In the United States, there are 27.3 million tennis players, 24.3 million pickleball players, and 1 million padel players. Growth in the US and globally is providing unprecedented opportunities, and the upside for racquet sports is immense. Over the last five years, participation in racquet sports has surged. Pickleball and padel have attracted consumers due to their relative affordability, ease of learning, inclusivity, and sociability. As a result, multi-sport facilities are flourishing in an attempt to appeal to all consumer types. How do you build a racquet sports community across platforms? By building a hybrid facility, you’ll create an exceedingly attractive community. Many people enjoy playing multiple racquet sports. Outstanding professionals are required to teach, train, and operate these facilities in order to grow the market. Pickel and padel are driving this global facility boom. In order to keep tennis in the mix, it requires new programming, new athletes, and better ways to deliver. While tennis remains a legacy sport, it must learn from the other racquet sports to sustain growth in this new and evolving ecosystem. The typical active player has 30-100 interactions with a racquet sports professional each year, and that impacts customer satisfaction and retention while creating significant culture and engagement. The future isn’t just teaching lessons; professionals are actually shaping what the industry looks like over the next 15-20 years. Player retention leads to facility loyalty, which generates more revenue per customer. Racquet sports are the engagement engine of the future, and real growth occurs when we advocate for our industry. We need to attract more people to work in the industry because it offers a career path. While you may start as an instructor, you might retire as an executive. For more information, please visit https://rspa.net/brian-dillman-feature-the-hire-standard/

Dr. Jim Loehr – Gordon Uehling III – Kelsey Abergel  Person First Project

The Person First Project is a non-profit helping people from all walks of life. Dr. Loehr co-founded the Human Performance Institute and, for forty-plus years, has researched elite performance. Cultures are addicted to high achievement. We equate a successful life with high achievement. The person inside is more important than the achievement. This is the priority – the person comes first. Coaches must engage with the person first – not the player. How do we achieve on the court while prioritizing the person? Dr. Loehr created a language and architecture to look at a person. Coaches with high-performance players should thoroughly understand a player’s psyche, what makes them tick, and how they learn before teaching technique and tactics. Parents, coaches, and players will all speak this language that prioritizes the person. Its process driven – it’s not about wins vs losses. When a person has a deeper purpose, they’ll truly achieve. A great coach cares more about the person than the performance. Coaches will convey this deep concern through the language and questions they pose. This is the secret sauce that informs great coaches. They are not solely concerned about technique and tactics; they focus on the development of the whole person. Many coaches and parents regard tennis as a job. While that’s true, there needs to be a balance where the player’s character is prioritized. Who are you becoming as a person as a consequence of the chase? The four pillars of whole person performance are the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Coaches and parents must always check in because these capacities are in flux. Always search for balance. Where do I need some realignment? Why am I playing tennis, and what will make this a worthwhile journey? Achievement is not the end result; it’s becoming an extraordinary person of great values and character through this remarkable sport. Health ignites performance, which is multi-dimensional, necessitating an integrated approach. The only way to win and lose is with character. Everyone’s career will eventually end, so it’s imperative to always nurture the person first. For more information, please visit https://thepersonfirst.org/

Carlos Salum The glass is full and a half: the mindset of a high-performance leader.

He’s a leadership performance strategist who has worked in tennis for over forty years. Are we developing the game or the tennis player as a whole person? Must look at the player in their entire context. Some athletes, because of their success, become highly influential and transcend their sport like BJK. Must thoroughly understand the complexities of the emotional and mental side. The difference between an elite coach and a good one is not technical – it’s mental, emotional, and deeply personal. Our mindset on the court is how we resonate and make an impact. Leaders dream big. We lead by example and, in turn, inspire. Seeing beyond means the glass is full and a half!  Coaches have their own goals in addition to those of the player. Never be content or complacent. Great coaches work on themselves every day. Who you are as a human being always outperforms what you know as a technician. Coaches must have self-awareness and a desire to progress. Leadership means trying to be better every day and projecting this onto others. The team is focused on the success of the player. Be consistent but adaptable. Decision-making is a high performance skill based on values, not success. Your personal resilience protocol isn’t a luxury; it’s a professional responsibility and a performance necessity. Coaches who change the game are driven by a vision that is larger than the results, rankings, and recognition. There is no ceiling for we continually raise it. High-performance coaching is not a methodology or system – it’s a way of being that you commit to every day. For more information, please visit www. saluminternational.com  and csalum@saluminternational.com

Gregor Ficko: The fundamentals of being a competitive coach
Owner GFTA Tennis & Padel, Director of Street Racket Slovenia

His values inform his coaching. Before we build players, we build people. Competitiveness is a set of behaviors, not just desire. They become competitive by design, not by accident. Design the environment, and learning will emerge. Improvement doesn’t always come from correction; it comes from changing the environment – like playing inside the tramlines. Prepare players for the unprepared and to be comfortable with the uncomfortable because adaptability is a skill. By changing the environment, we change perception, and players develop tools to succeed. Don’t train strokes, train decisions. Be a leader, not a follower, and create new content. We play inside the lines, but should coach outside the box! For more information, please visit www. gfta.si gregor@gfta.si