Coach Unboxed

About Coach Unboxed

Hosted by Unbox Sports, an agency elevating professional tour tennis coaches both on and off the court, the Coach Unboxed podcast gives them a platform to share their own stories and perspectives about the sport. Visit unboxsports.com for our coaches portfolio and to get involved as coaches or partners. @unboxsports

Publisher

Unbox Sports

Category

sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Nov 2024

Latest episode

21 Jun 2025

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Jun 2025

   EP18 - John Williams

   Tennis coach John Williams discusses his journey from fitness to tennis coaching, highlighting his work with Taylor Townsend through Grand Slam wins and navigating pregnancy, in an interview about self-mastery.

2. 

   11 Apr 2025

   EP17 - Peter Lucassen

   Coach Unboxed EP17: Peter Lucassen, now coaching Botic Van de Zandschulp and having coached multiple top 30, 50 and 100 ATP players, as well as top ITF juniors. Peter played professionally and also collegiately at the University of Southern California, helping secure NCAA team championships. Peter shares his journey from winning teenage years to challenging pros and his eventual transition to college tennis at USC, finding great success. He reflects on becoming a coach as he finished his studies while also starting his own tennis academy in California. Peter highlights his USTA work with some American greats and the building character while taking ownership of your journey. He closes with moving back to Amsterdam, his partnership with Botic and emphasizes family support and team communication in balancing a coaching career and personal life. About Peter Lucassen: From the Netherlands, Peter Lucassen won the Dutch national championship in 14s and 18s, also reaching world #36 as a junior. He was ranked ATP #541 before accepting an offer to play two years of college tennis at USC. With his team, Peter won the NCAA Division I team championship and then helped the team as an assistant coach in winning two NCAA team championships in 2012, while founding Baseline Tennis Academy. Now coaching Botic Van de Zandschulp, Peter has coached on tour for over a decade, working with top players including Ryan Harrison (#40), Steve Johnson (#37), Gael Monfils and Hailey Baptiste. He also guided Ernesto Escobedo from early juniors to #67 ATP, also having worked with talents like Fritz, Giron, among many others through the USTA development program. Peter is a proud husband and father of two. Follow Peter Lucassen on Instagram @petertjelucassen (https://www.instagram.com/petertjelucassen/) and LinkedIn Peter Lucassen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-lucassen/) . Subscribe to Coach Unboxed and leave your rating and comment! Full episodes on ⁠Spotify⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/show/2eCIfVuG1pFf3TjQbLzu5U), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coach-unboxed/id1778530779) and ⁠YouTube⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@UnboxSports%E2%81%A0). Follow Unbox Sports on social media for Coach Unboxed highlights: ⁠Instagram⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/unboxsports/), ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxsports/posts/?feedView=all), ⁠X⁠ (https://x.com/unboxsports) and at ⁠unboxsports.com⁠ (https://unboxsports.com/). Production: Unbox Sports; Location: ⁠Embarc Collective⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Music: ⁠BongÔMusics (https://www.bongomusics.com.br/)⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Photo: Felipe Figueiredo

3. 

   13 Mar 2025

   EP16 - Thomas Drouet

   Coach Unboxed EP16: Thomas Drouet, a former top junior player in France and pro in Monaco, who went from hitting partner at the Monte Carlo tournament to 3x Grand Slam winning coach. Thomas has led players to become #1 in doubles and has coached a top 10 and 4 top 25s in singles, winning 18 doubles titles including the WTA Finals and 6 singles titles between both tours. Thomas shares his journey from France to Monaco and the transition to pros in a new country, taking on hitting partner roles in Monte Carlo. He reflects on winning Wimbledon with Marion Bartoli and the six-year work with Timea Babos that also resulted in Grand Slam wins and many learnings as a coach. He delves into exploring the balance between singles and doubles success, the cultural adaptations required in the sport, and the impact of COVID-19. He finally shares the story behind creating The Cards Challenge game and new lessons learned by coaching his son. About Thomas Drouet: Thomas became a hitting partner to tennis legends like Federer, Nadal, Soderling, Wawrinka and Monfils in Monte Carlo while playing pros. Starting as a coach on tour in 2011, he first worked with Bernard Tomic followed by Marion Bartoli, together winning the 2013 Wimbledon title and reaching the top 10. Later on, Thomas started coaching Timea Babos, leading her from outside of top 100 to top 25 in singles and to become #1 in doubles. Thomas has also coached former #12 Qiang Wang, #55 Jaqueline Cristian, among other top players. Beyond his discipline both on and off the court, Drouet is passionate about infusing interactive techniques into coaching. This led him to pursuing an entrepreneurial path alongside coaching, introducing the first-ever interactive tennis card game, The Cards Challenge. Thomas is a proud father and avid cyclist. Follow Thomas Drouet on Instagram @coachdrouet (https://www.instagram.com/coachdrouet/) and LinkedIn Thomas Drouet (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-drouet/) . You can shop The Cards Challenge on the official website (https://www.thecardschallenge.com/). Subscribe to Coach Unboxed and leave your rating and comment! Full episodes on ⁠Spotify⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/show/2eCIfVuG1pFf3TjQbLzu5U), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coach-unboxed/id1778530779) and ⁠YouTube⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@UnboxSports%E2%81%A0). Follow Unbox Sports on social media for Coach Unboxed highlights: ⁠Instagram⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/unboxsports/), ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxsports/posts/?feedView=all), ⁠X⁠ (https://x.com/unboxsports) and at ⁠unboxsports.com⁠ (https://unboxsports.com/). Production: Unbox Sports; Location: ⁠Embarc Collective⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Music: ⁠BongÔMusics (https://www.bongomusics.com.br/)⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Photo: Felipe Figueiredo

4. 

   27 Feb 2025

   EP15 - Rob Steckley

   #CoachUnboxed EP15: Rob Steckley, a former Canada #1 and Davis Cup player, has coached 2 top 10s in doubles and 4 top 30s in singles, winning 4 Grand Slam doubles titles and 20+ WTA titles. With a creative mind and unique coaching style bringing fun to work, Rob has established himself as an out-of-the-box mentor and content creator in tennis. Rob's journey is one of being a promising young talent to losing himself, quitting school and tennis, but ultimately working his way back to the sport and a better self. He chats about self-discovery, resilience, and taking chances in transforming a life and career. Rob shares how coaching became a natural fit and reflects on the different emotional dynamics and coaching styles between both tours. He then discusses his creative approach to pro tennis and content creation, illustrating how storytelling can enhance the player and tour experience through authenticity and exploration. About Rob Steckley: Rob was a top junior and became the #1 player in Canada before playing college tennis for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. After navigating some tough times in his life and leaving the sport, Rob was given a chance to go back to school at Lander University. He got his tennis level back and eventually reached the Davis Cup team. A shoulder injury led Rob to soon become a tour coach and has worked with Aleksandra Wozniak (#21), Sania Mirza (#27s, top 10 d), Lucie Šafářová (#5s #1d), Denis Shapovalov (#19), Anastasia Pavlyunchenkova and now Marina Stakusic. Rob led his players to achieve career-high rankings in both singles and doubles, winning 4 Grand Slam doubles titles (Australian Open, Roland Garros, US Open and Roland Garros mixed), 18 doubles and 4 singles WTA titles. He also helped Lucie Šafářová reach the 2015 Roland Garros singles final. Rob is also a creative mastermind, leveraging his out-of-the-box mentality and fun coaching approaches at work. His work has been captured by major networks like New York Times, National Post, ESPN and Yahoo! Sports. He’s also the founder and CEO of Hopeless Talent. Follow Rob Steckley on Instagram @robsteckley (https://www.instagram.com/robsteckley/) and LinkedIn Rob Steckley (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-steckley/). Subscribe to Coach Unboxed and leave your rating and comment! Full episodes on ⁠Spotify⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/show/2eCIfVuG1pFf3TjQbLzu5U), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coach-unboxed/id1778530779) and ⁠YouTube⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@UnboxSports%E2%81%A0). Follow Unbox Sports on social media for Coach Unboxed highlights: ⁠Instagram⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/unboxsports/), ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxsports/posts/?feedView=all), ⁠X⁠ (https://x.com/unboxsports) and at ⁠unboxsports.com⁠ (https://unboxsports.com/). Production: Unbox Sports; Location: ⁠Embarc Collective⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Music: ⁠BongÔMusics (https://www.bongomusics.com.br/)⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Photo: Unbox Sports

5. 

   20 Feb 2025

   EP14 - Carlos Kirmayr

   Coach Unboxed EP14: Yannick chats with Carlos Alberto Kirmayr, a former Brazilian #1 player and ATP #36 singles and #6 doubles, who as a coach has guided Gabriela Sabatini, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario and Conchita Martínez all to top 3 WTA and a US Open championship (with Sabatini). He now leads his training center mentoring future generations of players and coaches. They discuss Kirmayr’s California college tennis days, the challenges of “going pro” back in the ‘70s and enjoying tennis as a lifestyle on tour and in the later years as he matured. He talks about the Davis Cup making him known in Brazil, playing other legends and the natural transition into coaching pro players due to his affinity with the tour. Kirmayr shares more on building off-court dynamics that contributed to his players’ success and how continuous coaching education should be a priority at all levels. About Carlos Alberto Kirmayr: Fondly known as “Kirma,” he has a career spanning 65+ years dedicated to tennis. He started playing at the age of 4 and at 17 set off to study in the U.S., winning several college titles. From that success, Kirmayr represented Brazil for 15 years in the Davis Cup (also as a coach and captain). He became #1 in Brazil and went on to reach #36 ATP in singles and #6 in doubles, winning 15 doubles titles and 14 runner-ups. Some of his best wins came against John McEnroe, Ilie Nastase, Ivan Lendl, among other greats. Kirmayr eventually became a tour coach, winning the 1990 U.S. Open title with Gabriela Sabatini and guiding her, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario and Conchita Martínez all to the top 3 WTA with combined 22 WTA singles titles and multiple Grand Slam semifinals. Fifteen years ago, Kirmayr opened this training center in Serra Negra, Brazil, offering a complete academic and tennis program for prospective college players. He has helped develop 200+ players, and also guided 5,000+ coaches through his advocacy and training, now continuing the work as the GPTCA National President of Brazil. Follow Carlos Kirmayr on Instagram @kirmayroficial (https://www.instagram.com/kirmayroficial/) and LinkedIn Carlos Kirmayr (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-kirmayr/). Subscribe to Coach Unboxed and leave your rating and comment! Full episodes on ⁠Spotify⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/show/2eCIfVuG1pFf3TjQbLzu5U), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coach-unboxed/id1778530779) and ⁠YouTube⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@UnboxSports%E2%81%A0). Follow Unbox Sports on social media for Coach Unboxed highlights: ⁠Instagram⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/unboxsports/), ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxsports/posts/?feedView=all), ⁠X⁠ (https://x.com/unboxsports) and at ⁠unboxsports.com⁠ (https://unboxsports.com/). Production: Unbox Sports; Location: ⁠Embarc Collective⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Music: ⁠BongÔMusics (https://www.bongomusics.com.br/)⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Photo: CarlosKirmayr

6. 

   13 Feb 2025

   EP13 - Bjorn Fratangelo

   Coach Unboxed EP13: Yannick chats with Bjorn Fratangelo, a former world #2 junior and top 100 ATP player, now coaching the newest Australian Open champion and once again top 10, Madison Keys. After a successful junior career winning the Roland Garros Boy’s title and Challenger tournaments at the pro level, Bjorn made the difficult decision to retire from playing due to an injury. Taking on a new tennis path by coaching his wife, Madison, he now finds himself in a position highly seasoned coaches still dream of: a Grand Slam champion. They discuss Bjorn's family connection to tennis, the challenges he faced from very successful juniors to the professional circuit, and the importance of support systems in navigating his career. He reflects on his aspirations, the impact of his injury and how coaching became his new reality. Bjorn also talks about the dynamics with Madison and the full team, the work done before achieving peak performances and the need for a strong foundation in both personal and professional aspects of life to create more opportunities for success. About Bjorn Fratangelo:From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Bjorn started his tennis career early on being coached by his father. After moving to Florida to develop his game, Bjorn went on to become ITF world #2 and won the Roland Garros Boy’s Championship in 2011. His junior success led him to soon start his professional career and become a top 100 ATP player, winning four ATP Challenger titles and playing the main draw in all Grand Slams. In 2023, Bjorn's struggles with a foot injury made him retire from his playing career. He then started helping out his wife and fellow pro player, Madison Keys, with her game after Roland Garros as she had recently split with her previous coach. Their long-lasting relationship off the court translated into a successful partnership on the court, together winning a few WTA titles and the 2025 Australian Open–Madison’s maiden Grand Slam–alongside a great team. Follow Bjorn Fratangelo:on Instagram@bjornfrat (https://www.instagram.com/bjornfrat/?hl=en) and LinkedInBjorn Fratangelo (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjorn-fratangelo-812082245/). Subscribe to Coach Unboxedand leave your rating and comment! Full episodes on⁠Spotify⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/show/2eCIfVuG1pFf3TjQbLzu5U),Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coach-unboxed/id1778530779) and⁠YouTube⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@UnboxSports%E2%81%A0). Follow Unbox Sportson social media for Coach Unboxed highlights:⁠Instagram⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/unboxsports/),⁠LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxsports/posts/?feedView=all),⁠X⁠ (https://x.com/unboxsports) and at⁠unboxsports.com⁠ (https://unboxsports.com/). Production:Unbox Sports; Location:⁠Embarc Collective⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/);Music:⁠BongÔMusics (https://www.bongomusics.com.br/)⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/);Photo:ATP

7. 

   6 Feb 2025

   EP12 - Martin Vilar

   Coach Unboxed EP12: Yannick chats with Martin Vilar, a seasoned tennis coach with 35+ years of experience on tour having coached 10 top 100 players and also worked with players in both the Davis Cup and BJK Cup for four different countries. @martinvilar They discuss Martin's upbringing between Argentina and the U.S. and how he found his way to Europe, making it his home. Martin shares how getting involved in the club management side of tennis led him to a career in the pro tour. He also emphasizes the role of mental strength, the cultural differences he encounters while coaching players from various backgrounds and how speaking many languages has allowed him to truly understand and connect better with his players. He then reflects on the challenges faced by modern players, including maintaining a balanced life. About Martin Vilar: With almost four decades of experience as a tour coach, Martin has developed multiple tennis programs for juniors and professional players in European academies and for the Saudi Tennis Federation. As a private coach, he has guided players into the top 3 on both WTA (doubles) and ITF (juniors) tours, as well as 2 singles top 20s (Medina Garrigues, Bovina), 4 top 30s (Dulgheru, Leon) and 10 top 100s. He is now coaching top 50 Diane Parry. Besides private coaching and academies, Martin has also been deeply involved in team competitions. In the Davis Cup, he worked with some of the Morocco and Algeria team players, and for the BJK Cup, he supported players representing Spain and France. He has been a reference among his peers and never hesitates to share his knowledge, and great life stories. Follow Martin Vilar on Instagram @martinvilar (https://www.instagram.com/martinvilar/) and LinkedIn Martin Vilar (https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-vilar-tennis/). Subscribe to Coach Unboxed and leave your rating and comment! Full episodes on ⁠Spotify⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/show/2eCIfVuG1pFf3TjQbLzu5U), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coach-unboxed/id1778530779) and ⁠YouTube⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@UnboxSports%E2%81%A0). Follow Unbox Sports on social media for Coach Unboxed highlights: ⁠Instagram⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/unboxsports/), ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxsports/posts/?feedView=all), ⁠X⁠ (https://x.com/unboxsports) and at ⁠unboxsports.com⁠ (https://unboxsports.com/). Production: Unbox Sports; Location: ⁠Embarc Collective⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Music: ⁠BongÔMusics (https://www.bongomusics.com.br/)⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Photo: Unbox Sports

8. 

   30 Jan 2025

   EP11 - Fernando Segal

   Coach Unboxed EP11: Yannick chats with Fernando Segal, a renowned tennis coach and innovator in the sport, being the founder of the Segal Institute and creator-director of the World Tennis Conference. They discuss Segal's journey from Argentina, the cultural significance of tennis in the country, and the systematic approaches he has implemented across the world to develop players and coaches. Segal emphasizes the role of coaches in personal development, focusing on the emotional aspects of the sport while also addressing the challenges tennis faces in attracting and developing new talent. He concludes with the beginnings and impact of the World Tennis Conference, highlighting the transformative power of tennis when shared in scale. About Fernando Segal: From Argentina, he has led his players to 16 junior Grand Slam championships and to become top 100 ATP/WTA. With his methodologies, he has trained more than 3,000 coaches through workshops, clinics and his influential roles in tennis federations globally. Currently, Fernando is the creator-director for the World Tennis Conference (https://www.worldtennisconference.org/#) (WTC5 taking place March 27-30, 2025) and GPTCA National President for Argentina and Chile. As an entrepreneur, he has founded the IDTC Academies and the Segal Institute aiming to develop and impact the tennis industry at scale. Alongside his success on the court and business, Fernando has written 12 books on different topics of the sport. Follow Fernando Segal on Instagram @fernandosegal (https://www.instagram.com/fernandosegal/) and LinkedIn Fernando Segal (https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernando-polo-segal-1168bb10/). Subscribe to Coach Unboxed and leave your rating and comment! Full episodes on ⁠Spotify⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/show/2eCIfVuG1pFf3TjQbLzu5U), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coach-unboxed/id1778530779) and ⁠YouTube⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@UnboxSports%E2%81%A0). Follow Unbox Sports on social media for Coach Unboxed highlights: ⁠Instagram⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/unboxsports/), ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxsports/posts/?feedView=all), ⁠X⁠ (https://x.com/unboxsports) and at ⁠unboxsports.com⁠ (https://unboxsports.com/). Production: Unbox Sports; Location: ⁠Embarc Collective⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Music: ⁠BongÔMusics (https://www.bongomusics.com.br/)⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Photo: Felipe Figueiredo

9. 

   9 Jan 2025

   EP10 - Facundo Lugones

   Coach Unboxed EP10: Yannick chats with Facundo Lugones, ATP Coach of the Year in 2021 who guided his former college teammate from outside top 500 to a career best of #8 in the world ranking. @falugones They discuss Facundo's early influences in Argentina and strong family bonds that propelled him to compete. Facundo shares his path towards college tennis in the U.S., being a senior leader in the team and eventually developing a connection with a freshman teammate that went on to become an almost decade-long, coach-player partnership on the ATP Tour. He gives insights on pressures and expectations faced by players, particularly after a successful season, and what it means to him to still have the support of coaches who worked with him building unmeasurable respect for their contributions. About Facundo Lugones: From Argentina, Facundo followed his family passion for the sport and went on to become a top 10 national player. After experiencing the professional tour, he played college tennis in the U.S. as a student-athlete for Texas Christian University (TCU) and started his coaching career by working with his former TCU teammate, Cameron Norrie. Facundo led Cam from outside 500 ATP to #8 in the ATP Tour, having won a Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells among other stellar results. The outstanding season in 2021 rewarded him with ATP Coach of the Year, which was followed by Cam’s best Grand Slam result with semifinals in Wimbledon. Facundo remains a loyal partner to the TCU Horned Frogs, often practicing with and taking advice from the team there. Follow Facundo Lugones on Instagram @falugones (https://www.instagram.com/falugones/) and LinkedIn Facundo Lugones (https://www.linkedin.com/in/facundo-lugones-985446124/) Subscribe to Coach Unboxed and leave your rating and comment! Full episodes on ⁠Spotify⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/show/2eCIfVuG1pFf3TjQbLzu5U), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coach-unboxed/id1778530779) and ⁠YouTube⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@UnboxSports%E2%81%A0). Follow Unbox Sports on social media for Coach Unboxed highlights: ⁠Instagram⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/unboxsports/), ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxsports/posts/?feedView=all), ⁠X⁠ (https://x.com/unboxsports) and at ⁠unboxsports.com⁠ (https://unboxsports.com/). Production: Unbox Sports; Location: ⁠Embarc Collective⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Music: ⁠BongÔMusics (https://www.bongomusics.com.br/)⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Photo: Unbox Sports

10. 

    2 Jan 2025

    EP9 - Kristof Vliegen

    Coach Unboxed EP9: Yannick chats with Kristof Vliegen, a former ATP top 30 who took his first player as a coach from unranked to a career-high ranking #21 and has now returned to Belgium for his next coaching chapter. @kristof_vliegen They discuss Kristof’s unique introduction to tennis and his development as a junior just having fun with the sport. Kristof shares his pro experiences from Futures to the Davis Cup to reaching high rankings before being told an injury would not allow him to play anymore. He reflects on taking the entrepreneurial route by chance and eventually finding his way back to tennis through coaching guiding a few promising young players. Kristof also shares insights on his new coaching role and what it means to be back to his roots coaching a fellow Belgian. About Kristof Vliegen: He reached career highs of #12 in singles and #4 in doubles ITF world rankings, winning the Wimbledon Boy’s doubles championship and making it to the quarterfinals at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Transitioning into the ATP tour, he became a top 30 player and represented Belgium for eight years in the Davis Cup. In 2012, Kristof started what would become almost a decade-long partnership with Dutch player Tallon Griekspoor, taking him from unranked all the way to #21 ATP with multiple titles. He has recently started coaching fellow Belgian Zizou Bergs, and he is also the director of a tennis, paddle and squash club in Belgium, BATD. Follow Kristof Vliegen on Instagram @kristof_vliegen (https://www.instagram.com/kristof_vliegen/) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristof-vliegen/). Subscribe to Coach Unboxed and leave your rating and comment! Full episodes on ⁠Spotify⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/show/2eCIfVuG1pFf3TjQbLzu5U), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coach-unboxed/id1778530779) and ⁠YouTube⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@UnboxSports%E2%81%A0). Follow Unbox Sports on social media for Coach Unboxed highlights: ⁠Instagram⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/unboxsports/), ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxsports/posts/?feedView=all), ⁠X⁠ (https://x.com/unboxsports) and at ⁠unboxsports.com⁠ (https://unboxsports.com/). Production: Unbox Sports; Location: ⁠Embarc Collective⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Music: ⁠BongÔMusics (https://www.bongomusics.com.br/)⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Photo: Felipe Figueiredo

11. 

    26 Dec 2024

    EP8 - Claudio Pistolesi

    Coach Unboxed EP8: Yannick chats with Claudio Pistolesi, a former world # 1 ITF junior champion and top 100 pro player, former Davis Cup captain and now a top reference coach on both ATP and WTA tours. They discuss Claudio’s early influences, as he succeeded as a world #1 junior champion. Sharing the challenges faced transitioning to the professional tour, Claudio reflects on the impact his coaches and peers had in his career, the memorable moments in the Davis Cup and team competitions, and how continuously chasing opportunities to improve his knowledge paid off with a top coaching job. He emphasizes his deep commitment to teaching and empathy towards players, as well as his focus on developing the next generation through powerful storytelling. About Claudio Pistolesi: From Italy, Claudio was a 2x Grand Slam junior semifinalist and Orange Bowl champion, becoming World #1 ITF Junior Champion. As a pro player with top 10 wins, he reached a career-high #71 ATP singles and proudly represented Italy in the Davis Cup team for 6 consecutive years, also becoming the Italian champion in 1990. Now a world-renowned coach on both ATP and WTA tours, Claudio worked with Monica Seles, coached Robin Söderling and Daniela Hantuchová as top 5s and multiple players to the top 50 and top 100, winning 10+ titles in the tour as a coach. He has been the Davis Cup captain for Italy and Japan, as well as an Olympic coach in 2012 for the Team Slovakia. Having served in many leadership roles in the ATP, he also leads Claudio Pistolesi Enterprise and the Florida JTCC program, inspiring the industry through his stories. Follow Claudio Pistolesi on Instagram @pistolesienterprise (https://www.instagram.com/pistolesienterprise/) and LinkedIn Claudio Pistolesi (https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudio-pistolesi-13a97161/). Subscribe to Coach Unboxed and leave your rating and comment! Full episodes on ⁠Spotify⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/show/2eCIfVuG1pFf3TjQbLzu5U), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coach-unboxed/id1778530779) and ⁠YouTube⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@UnboxSports%E2%81%A0). Follow Unbox Sports on social media for Coach Unboxed highlights: ⁠Instagram⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/unboxsports/), ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxsports/posts/?feedView=all), ⁠X⁠ (https://x.com/unboxsports) and at ⁠unboxsports.com⁠ (https://unboxsports.com/). Production: Unbox Sports; Location: ⁠Embarc Collective⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Music: ⁠BongÔMusics (https://www.bongomusics.com.br/)⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Photo: Claudio Pistolesi

12. 

    18 Dec 2024

    EP7 - Nicole Pratt

    Coach Unboxed EP7: Yannick chats with Nicole Pratt, a former Australian #1 player and multi-WTA winner, and a trusted coach that has also been a leader in advocating for female athletes and coaches in Australia and globally. @nicole_pratt_oly They discuss Nicole’s journey from a 20-people town in Queensland to becoming a prominent figure in Australian tennis, both as a player and a coach. She shares about going from Australian Open junior champion to contributing to the country’s rich legacy in the sport, the incomparable pride in representing the “green and gold,” and her commitment to becoming a great mentor on and off the court through leadership roles. Nicole reflects on the importance of elevating female coaches and the opportunities in adding more coaches to a player’s team, as well as her own aspirations. About Nicole Pratt: Nicole went from #1 Aussie pro player to reference sport leader and coach. Nicole won the Junior Australian Open and 9 WTA titles, also becoming a two-time Olympian and Fed Cup (BJK Cup) team member for almost a decade. She reached #35 WTA singles and #18 in doubles and is now a sought-after mentor globally. Trusted by former #1s and top 25s, Grand Slam champions and many Aussie greats such as Daria Saville, Storm Hunter, Ashleigh Barty, Alicia Molik, Casey Dellacqua and Anastasia Rodionova, she is now also working closely with Kim Birrell. With Tennis Australia, she achieved a 45% increase in the number of female tennis coaches and the highest number of top 250 WTA players in over 40 years, continuing her advocacy on tour. Follow Nicole on Instagram @nicole_pratt_oly (https://www.instagram.com/nicole_pratt__oly/) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-pratt-oly/). Subscribe to Coach Unboxed and leave your rating and comment! Full episodes on ⁠Spotify⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/show/2eCIfVuG1pFf3TjQbLzu5U), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coach-unboxed/id1778530779) and ⁠YouTube⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@UnboxSports%E2%81%A0). Follow Unbox Sports on social media for Coach Unboxed highlights: ⁠Instagram⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/unboxsports/), ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxsports/posts/?feedView=all), ⁠X⁠ (https://x.com/unboxsports) and at ⁠unboxsports.com⁠ (https://unboxsports.com/). Production: Unbox Sports; Location: ⁠Embarc Collective⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Music: ⁠BongÔMusics (https://www.bongomusics.com.br/)⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Photo: Tenis Australia

13. 

    11 Dec 2024

    EP6 - Robert Lindstedt

    Yannick chats with Robert Lindstedt, a former #3 doubles player and Australian Open champion, about his transition from player to coach and the value of doubles communication in his new role.

14. 

    4 Dec 2024

    EP5 - Thomas Johansson

    Tennis legend Thomas Johansson, a former Grand Slam champion and top 10 player, shares his journey from player to coach and the insights that shape his philosophy on the game.

15. 

    27 Nov 2024

    EP4 - Sandra Zaniewska

    Tennis coach Sandra Zaniewska shares her journey from pro player to top female coach, emphasizing the importance of human connection and the joy of the journey in sports.

16. 

    20 Nov 2024

    EP3 - Kamau Murray

    Yannick chats with Kamau Murray, a pioneering tennis coach, about building trust with players, creating opportunities for minorities, and his trailblazing legacy in South Chicago tennis.

17. 

    13 Nov 2024

    EP2 - Wim Fissette

    In this episode of Coach Unboxed, Yannick chats with Wim Fissette, one of the most accomplished active coaches on the professional tennis tour. They discuss Wim's journey from being a player in Belgium to Kim Clijsters' hitting partner and eventually a multi Grand Slam winning coach. Wim shares insights on methodologies, the evolution of coaching and the challenges behind the job. He also reflects on the day-to-day life of a coach, as well as the need for support among peers in the tennis community. About Wim Fissette: Now coaching Iga Świątek, the Belgian has been coaching on the WTA Tour for 15+ years and has won six Grand Slam championships as a coach. Wim has been previously trusted by five former #1 players: Naomi Osaka, Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber, Simona Halep and Kim Clijsters, among other champions. He is also a two-time Olympic coach and captain of Team Belgium in the Billie Jean King Cup. Wim is a proud husband and father of two. Follow Wim on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fissettewim/) and Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/wimfissette/). Subscribe to Coach Unboxed and leave your rating and comment! Full episodes on ⁠Spotify⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/show/2eCIfVuG1pFf3TjQbLzu5U), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coach-unboxed/id1778530779) and ⁠YouTube⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@UnboxSports%E2%81%A0). Follow Unbox Sports on social media for Coach Unboxed highlights: ⁠Instagram⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/unboxsports/), ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxsports/posts/?feedView=all), ⁠X⁠ (https://x.com/unboxsports) and at ⁠unboxsports.com⁠ (https://unboxsports.com). Production: Unbox Sports; Location: ⁠Embarc Collective⁠ (https://embarccollective.com/); Music: ⁠BongÔMusics (https://www.bongomusics.com.br/); Photo: Felipe Figueiredo

18. 

    7 Nov 2024

    EP1 - Flavia Araujo & Yannick Yoshizawa

    Welcome to Coach Unboxed! Founding partners Yannick Yoshizawa and Flavia Araujo chat about meeting each other through tennis, how Unbox Sports was created, what they have learned alongside coaches and their aspirations for the agency and podcast. About Unbox Sports: The agency is elevating professional tour tennis coaches to help them reach their true potential both on and off the court. Unbox Sports’ future is dedicated towards creating a more sustainable workplace for coaches via brand building, content exposure, contract negotiations, commercial investment and much more. Subscribe to Coach Unboxed and leave your rating and comment! Full episodes on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/2eCIfVuG1pFf3TjQbLzu5U), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coach-unboxed/id1778530779) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@UnboxSports⁠). Follow Unbox Sports on social media for Coach Unboxed highlights: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/unboxsports/), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxsports/posts/?feedView=all), X (https://x.com/unboxsports) and at unboxsports.com (https://unboxsports.com). Production: Unbox Sports; Location: Embarc Collective (https://embarccollective.com/); Music: BongÔMusics (https://www.bongomusics.com.br/); Photo: Felipe Figueiredo

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

2,353

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

13 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 48 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

48

Social presence

0

YouTube

68

Engagement

51

Contact Coach Unboxed

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.