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/

📩 [email protected]

📲 @greg.kusnierz

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

https://betweenthepoints.com/

On the Between The Points Podcast with Greg Kusnierz

We discussed...

What's the 3am method?

Talk to us about your blog.

How was the experience coaching Davis Cup.

How did you start in tennis.

What's a characteristic of a champion?

What does that mean to empty your tank?

What is a blue elephant?

Can you tell us something interesting about the ground fundamental?

What is the 100-year-old truth? Where can people find you?

What would you like to tell the next generation of dreamers?

https://betweenthepoints.com/

What if the biggest opponent you face on the tennis court isn't standing across the net, but living inside your head?

Every player knows that sinking feeling when nerves take over—sweaty palms before a crucial serve, overthinking a simple volley, or watching a commanding lead slip away as pressure mounts. In this game-changing episode of Between The Points Podcast, we dive deep into the mental battlefield of tennis with PhD candidate Noah Phillips, who reveals the fascinating science behind why our brains betray us under pressure—and more importantly, the proven strategies champions use to turn mental weakness into their greatest weapon. Whether you're choking on match points or helping your players overcome court anxiety, this conversation will completely transform how you think about the mental game.

In this episode, Noah and I talked about...

• Where do nerves come from.
• Babies and snakes
• What can we do to get nerves on the tennis court to help us.
• Worrying about things that we can't control.
• Process over outcome and how to believe in the process.
• How a sports psychologist or mental coach helps an athlete.
• You're up 40-30, the nerves come in, what to do.
• The root of anger on the tennis court.
• Post-match evaluation to help us stay focused and excited.
• Rapid-fire questions.

Find Noah on Instagram here.

My Instagram...

see you between the points,

Coach Greg

In this short podcast episode, I tackle why you're not meeting your goals in tennis. And it might not be what you think.

I cover

• 3 signs you need a coach.
• Why you're not hitting your goals.
• The number 1 mistake you keep making that keeps you stuck.
• What I tell my clients when they tell me they don't have more time.
• This weird shift in practice helped my client play their best tennis.
• What our first coaching session will look like.

Find more info at www.betweenthepoints.com

Cole Shoults is a tennis player who has recently decided to follow his dream of becoming a professional tennis player. He is showing all of us his journey and recording everything along the way. He is sharing his best singles tennis tips that he gains along the way. Cole Shoults Links Instagram - / coleshoults_tennis youtube - / @coleshoultstennis www.betweenthepoints.com

Doubles is a game that has many nuances. From where to stand, to where to hit, and how to move at the net. It's also the game that Men and Women can play together, has a team spirit, and most recreational adults play.

Will Boucek has had over 20 years of experience coaching in tennis is an ATP & WTA doubles strategy analyst, having worked with top 10 doubles teams at the US Open, Wimbledon, Roland Garros, the Australian Open, the WTA Finals, the Olympics, and other top tour-level events.

Will took the time to sit down with me and discuss

• Playing to our strengths in doubles
• Is one up and one back the new way to play doubles
• How to keep the love of the game for your life
• Top 3 strategies to use
• His Top 3 doubles drills
• And we talked about a fun scenario in the 3rd set tiebreaker up 7-4 and how to think about it
• How to hit a tweener
• And some rapid fire questions to get to know Will a little bit more

Will is the founder of www.thetennistribe.com where you can dig deeper in he's strategies and his drills. He's got courses and a membership where you can get a weekly lesson.

Also you can find will on his Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/thetennistribe/

as always,

Your coach Greg

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YOUTUBE

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Want to play better on the tennis court? Play with gratitude.

Jamie Cerretani played at Brown University followed by a career at the pro level focusing on doubles. He made it to the quarters of Wimbledon 2 years in a row and had a high ranking of 45.

After his playing career ended, he has taken on the role as a coach and started Inspired Talent Agency with talented players like JP Smith on the roster.

We talked about his approach to life and how tennis players can improve their game with gratitude.

Answered an audience member's question about defending the lob and some of the Inspired athlete's recent successes.

If you've been looking for some inspiration, look no further.

More from Jamie

https://www.instagram.com/jamescerretani/

More from me

INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/greg.kusnierz/

WEBSITE

https://betweenthepoints.com/

YOUTUBE

https://www.youtube.com/@greg.kusnierz

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