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In this episode I chat with, Patrick Langvardt. He is a former professional tennis player & davis cup player representing Denmark. He was in charge of the junior developmental program in SALK tennis in Sweden for more than 6 years which is one of the biggest Tennis Clubs in all of Sweden. In 2012 he launched his own Tennis Academy called Viljan Tennis which we will digg into in the conversation & at the same time he is the personal coach for Wimbledon doubles Champion Freddie Nielsen.

Tennis is our passion, but the most important thing is how we are feeling as human beings If we are not feeling comfortable with who we are as humans, there is a big risk that winning or loosing will determine how you feel as a human.

If you only have 5 minutes, listen to Patrick’s thoughts on developing tennis persons developing tennis people

In this episode you will learn:
– How Patrick develops tennis people
– How Patrick has been inspired by a hunting dog coach
– Why Patrick wish that we were all more like dogs & babies

1:40 How did you get into the world of tennis

• Influenced by Bjorn Borg – Every time he played the whole country stopped
• Played a lot of sports as a kid

02:45 What were the steps that led you from playing professionally to lead the Viljan Tennis Academy?

• At the age of 15 it became clear that tennis was Patrik’s passion & he wanted to play professionally
• He had a chance to play Davic Cup as a dane, wouldn’t have been possible in Sweden with the amount of top players at that time
• In the end of Patrik’s career, Patrik got to travel a bit for the Danish Tennis Federation
• Patrik had his first child at 30 & became a coach in Salk (One of the biggest Tennis Clubs in Sweden) for 8 years
• Got an opportunity to go to Denmark for an interesting project
• After a year Patrik decided to start Viljan Tennis Academy together with 3 friends
• Patrick always had the project now called Viljan in his head”

05:55 What do you see as the advantages off having a tennis academy compared to be a club coach?

• Patrik has the opportunity to choose players himself
• The staff as well
• Ideas is easier to get through

07:30 What were the thoughts on the name ”Viljan tennis academy”

• Viljan Tennis Academy, the will, the heart, the eager to do something 100 %
• To Patrik that’s what life is all about
• You need the hunger to always get better & pursue your goals & dreams

08:45: Developing tennis people what do you mean by that?

• “Tennis is our passion, but the most important thing is how we are feeling as human beings If we are not feeling comfortable with who we are as humans, there is a big risk that winning or loosing will determine how you feel as a human. “
• “We want players to feel good about themselves because of the maximum effort that they have put into every session, and if they have done that it can never be a failure and they will always feel good”
• “The aim is obviously to win, but nobody can win every match and knowing that makes it easier to accept losses & put all the focus on things you can determine. The effort, the process & will to develop each & every time”
• Teaching the players to have respect for everything around tennis
• We would like our opponents to play well – If the opponent is playing well you have to play well. If there is no challenge, there is no development and that’s what this journey is all about. The opponent is in reality a partner.
• When at tournaments we applause good points, not the points that are won from each side
• Trying to find players like Bjorn Borg practicing against a garage and put them in our atmosphere to make them feel like they belong somewhere
• Finding coaches who is eager to develop as well. Put the coaches and players that really wants to develop together in the same atmosphere. Strong dynamic and energy on court.

13:25 What is the most important characteristic you look for in a player

• The Single most important characteristic in a player: The eagerness, fire in the eyes. Willingness to develop

13:55 Have you got any characteristics that red flags players from attending your academy?

• If I don’t see the fire, the eager, the will to want to develop, and listen and step into every moment and be present. That’s a red flag for me”

15:07: Why should you consider as a player attending an academy instead of a club

• In an academy there are players with the same mindset as you
• Hopefully a little more intensity & little more quality in the training
• If the level is high there is greater possibility that you develop better
• You need the best coaching around to have a chance to fulfill your dreams as a tennis player
• Important to look into the academy philosophy to find a fit for you

17:22: What will your coaching colleagues say that you are really good at?

• The most important for me is that my players like what I do
• I want them to see that I’m present, curious, have some relevant knowledge & that I have respect for the game of tennis

18:52 What do you do that other coaches doesn’t do?

• Patrik likes to work with mirros. Especially when practicing footwork. They get an instant feedback. Helps Patrik a lot to develop the players faster
• If I work on balance I like the instant feedback from mirrors
• I like the instant feedback better than using video

22:20 What do you consider the number 1 skillset for a tennis coach

• The number 1 skills set as a coach: Being able to see each and every person
• You want to get to know each player on and off court to be able to coach them
• Inspired by hunting dog coach, Amir Saidizand. Come with their dogs because they have a problem with their dog. Most coaches start with exercises where the dogs are weak
• He start with exercises where the dogs are strong, give them credit & reward them. Tries to get a happy dog with a good feeling being around him. Has a dog with the right mind frame and then he starts working with the weaknesses. Working on good parts first to gain trust & then work on weaknesses
• “I wish we were more like dogs or babies. They live more in the moment. There is something awesome about spreading your legs and taking a shit whenever wherever. It’s not because of the act it self, but doing it and not thinking what others might think or react and be scared by that. The feeling of being scared of what others think and will react stops most of us to reach our potential.”

27:48 How do you balance the training of your players strengths & weaknesses?

• The main goal is to get each and every player to feel awesome about themselves
• I put a lot of effort into building the players strengths because in the end of the day you need to find the identity of the player which is build around their strengths”
• You also have to work around their weakness because that’s where the player will break when it get’s tough”

29:50 What do you consider the biggest waste of time or myth in the tennis world?

• “A big waste of time is when coaches tell the player what they do wrong – it’s to close – give your self more space. Time of development will be shorter, better environment”
• ”I try to always look for the answers & not what’s the problem”

33:14: The story of how Patrik started working with Wimbledon Doubles Champion Freddie Nielsen

• Patrik ending his own career at 30. Started traveling with Freddie.
• Moved to Stockholm, after 8 years got back to Denmark & had a session at the club with Freddie
• Started out being a coach for Freddie whenever he was home Now they have worked 3 years together
• ”It’s fun to see that a guy who is now 32 still has the hunger to get better”

35:58: What do you consider the most valuable lesson you have learned as a tennis coach

• ”It’s just as much about social skills and the balance you’ve got as a human off court. Tennis is our passion, but the most important thing is how we feel and how we are as humans. Players that feel good about themselves off the court.
• ”I almost put more efforts into the off court well being of my players than on court.”
• ”They need to understand the kind of life it is to be a tennis player”

36:50 What advice would you give yourself if you go back in time?

• ”Playing a lot of sports made my body more balanced and I have had very few injuries”
• Ernst Ekcs a very influential coach of Patrik’s
• ”I think I would have succeeded a little bit better if I took time off to work on my technique at 18”

42:47 Where can people get to know more about you?

• Viljan Tennis Academy based in Denmark, Hillerød & Sweden, Malmo.
• Homepage of the academy where you can read into the philosophy of the academy, which I personally am very excited about: viljantennis.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/viljantennis
• Instagram: wwww.instagram/viljantennis
• Boost Camp: friday-sunday camp with a specific theme for players who are not normally on the academy. Get a very intensive boost and taste how it is to train at a tennis academy. Everyone can attend. Anyone is welcome no matter where you are based in the world