This week I’m joined by Luca Van Assche, one of France’s top young players and a former Roland Garros junior champion. We chat about his fast rise to the ATP top 70, what it really takes to make the jump from juniors to the pros, and how Futures helped build his resilience and confidence. Luca opens up about the pressure of expectations, how he’s managing a ranking drop, and why balancing university studies with tennis keeps him grounded. There’s loads of insight here into how belief, hard work, and enjoying the game really shape a career.

🗣️ 3 Key Quotes

1. “You can win 20 junior Slams and not win matches in the pros.”

2. “Sometimes you’re in a bad place and you say, maybe just one year as a normal person would be nice.”

3. “If you’re not 100 percent from the first point, you’re out in 40 minutes.”

✅ 5 Takeaway Points:

• Winning a junior Slam is just the beginning, not the end goal

• Futures helped him build confidence and mental focus

• The ATP level demands intensity from the very first point

• Balancing school and tennis adds purpose beyond rankings

• Long-term goals fuel motivation during tough stretches

This podcast is sponsored by ASICS. ASICS is a Japanese company founded in 1949 to give more people the opportunity to experience how sports and movement can have a positive impact on mental well-being.

To learn more about ASICS visit their website here: https://www.asics.com/nl/en-nl/sports/tennis/

Find us on Social Media:

Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennis

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@functionaltennis

Liam Broady returns to the Functional Tennis Podcast to reflect on the highs, lows, and lessons of his 11-year pro journey. From dealing with a concussion just before Wimbledon to learning how to separate self-worth from rankings, Liam opens up on the mental battles that come with life on tour. He also shares what a conversation with Pep Guardiola taught him, and why sacrifices though tough are worth it in the long run.

🗣️ 3 Key Quotes:

1. “You’ve got to be willing to make sacrifices that people don’t see.”

2. “You have to learn not to tie your self-worth to your ranking.”

3. “You don’t get to the top without a few scars.”

✅ 5 Takeaway Points:

• Mental resilience is just as important as physical fitness

• Sacrifices are part of long-term success

• Separating identity from results is crucial for mental health

• Injuries can strike at the worst times, even when you’re ready

• Lessons from other sports (like football) can fuel growth in tennis

This podcast is sponsored by ASICS. ASICS is a Japanese company founded in 1949 to give more people the opportunity to experience how sports and movement can have a positive impact on mental well-being.

To learn more about ASICS visit their website here: https://www.asics.com/nl/en-nl/sports/tennis/

Find us on Social Media:

Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennis

YouTube: Functional Tennis Podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by rising Argentine star Francisco Comesaña, currently sitting inside the ATP top 70. Francisco shares the grind of coming up through Futures with no funding, how a mindset shift helped him break through, and what it was like beating top names like Rublev and Zverev. We also talk about his first Slam experience at Wimbledon, what it’s like playing on grass for the first time, and why belief, fueled by hard work has been the key to his rise.

✅ 5 Takeaway Points

1. Breaking through in Argentina is tough without sponsors or early exposure.

2. Belief and mindset are often more important than talent.

3. Playing Futures is a grind that can break many players mentally.

4. Big wins against players like Rublev and Zverev gave him confidence he belongs.

5. Long-term goals include becoming a better person first, and reaching the top 30.

🗣️ 3 Key Quotes

1. “The most important thing was that I started to believe in myself.”

2. “Sometimes players are stuck because of mindset, not level.”

3. “Since I was a kid, I dreamed of playing in Grand Slams.”



This podcast is sponsored by ASICS. ASICS is a Japanese company founded in 1949 to give more people the opportunity to experience how sports and movement can have a positive impact on mental well-being.

To learn more about ASICS visit their website here: https://www.asics.com/nl/en-nl/sports/tennis/

Find us on Social Media:

Instagram: Instagram.com/FunctionalTennis

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@functionaltennis

YouTube: Functional Tennis Podcast