What happens when your childhood dream becomes your worst nightmare?

In this raw, emotional conversation, Finnish tennis star Emil Ruusuvuori opens up about his four-year battle with panic attacks, burnout, and depression — including breaking down during matches and questioning the meaning of life. From rising through the ranks to cracking the Top 50, to walking away from the sport he once loved, Emil shares what no press conference ever showed.

Best Moments:

[00:04:35] “I just couldn’t breathe… My body shut down”

[00:08:20] “I didn’t care anymore if I won or lost”

[00:11:45] “Life didn’t matter at that point”

[00:17:10] “You lose your identity when you stop playing”

[00:23:40] “Everyone says you’re living the dream… but it felt like hell”

[00:30:15] “I started therapy—and finally, I could breathe”

[00:37:05] “I had to re-learn who I am without tennis”

[00:41:50] “We’re not machines… even if we’re ranked Top 50”

[00:48:25] “Now I’m building something new. For the first time, I feel excited.”

[00:53:40] “If this helps even one person, I’m glad I shared it.”

This is not just a sports episode. It’s a story about mental health, identity, and what it means to be enough.

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In this intimate and revealing conversation, legendary coach and former world #4 Brad Gilbert opens up like never before. From coaching Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, and Coco Gauff, to dissecting what truly separates good players from great ones — Brad shares raw lessons, wild stories, and tactical gems from decades inside the sport.

You’ll hear why Agassi never actually beat him, how Coco Gauff processes coaching in real-time, what junior parents often get wrong, and the exact mindset shifts that change careers. No sugarcoating. Just real talk, real insights.

Hosted by Caroline Garcia, this episode dives deep into the coaching mind — strategy, psychology, parenting, and the small decisions that lead to big wins (or painful regrets).

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🧠 Topics discussed:

• Competing vs Drilling

• Coaching Agassi vs Roddick vs Coco

• The danger of overcoaching during matches

• The role of parents in a tennis career

• Why small margins decide everything in tennis

• Emotional burnouts and honesty in coaching

• And yes… that wild match vs Caroline in Miami.

🔔 Subscribe for more raw, intelligent tennis conversations with the pros who live it.

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Taylor Fritz opens up like never before. From growing up with a “crazy” tennis dad to breaking down in locker rooms and reinventing his game to win Indian Wells, this episode dives deep into the raw, real side of pro tennis.

In this exclusive interview, Taylor shares:

✅ His most emotional locker room moment

✅ The “delusional” belief that got him to the top

✅ Why he quit FIFA after breaking 4 controllers

✅ How watching junior tapes changed his forehand — and his career

✅ His unfiltered opinion on on-court coaching in tennis

✅ What it’s really like growing up with two tennis pro parents

This is not just for tennis fans — it’s for anyone chasing greatness.

⏱️ Chapters:

05:20 – Early Competitiveness & Training Routines

12:10 – Learning to Handle Pressure & Expectations

26:00 – FIFA Rage & Broken Controllers

33:40 – Why He’s Against On-Court Coaching

36:30 – Rewatching Junior Forehand Before Indian Wells

40:30 – Delusional Belief in Going Pro

48:30 – Locker Room Breakdown After Turning Pro

51:00 – Advice to His Younger Self & Final Thoughts

Subscribe for more powerful stories from the biggest names in tennis.

#TaylorFritz #TennisPodcast #IndianWells #MentalToughness #ATP #TennisLife #TennisMindset

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