Shows
No Strings Attached ShowA truth every tennis parent needs to hear (from a parent who raised a top Canadian junior)In this conversation, Bogdan Grygorenko interviews Jason Roussel, a tennis parent, about his experiences raising his son Felix, who is a promising young tennis player. They discuss Felix's early interest in sports, the importance of finding the right coaching environment, and the challenges of balancing sports with education. Jason shares insights into the sacrifices made for Felix's tennis career, including financial and time commitments, and emphasizes the importance of passion and motivation coming from the athlete. They also touch on Felix's injury and recovery, his training regimen, and future plans, including his commitment to the University of Kentucky. The...
2025-11-2748 minNo Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #32: Katy Shulaeva, Senior Tennis Pro at The Toronto Lawn Tennis ClubIn this episode of No Strings Attached, host Bogdan Grygorenko interviews Katy Shulaeva, a former professional tennis player and coach. They discuss Katie's early influences in tennis, her journey from junior to professional levels, the importance of coaching, and the lessons learned from her long-time coach Pierre Lamarche. Katie shares insights on resilience, the challenges of transitioning to professional tennis, and the impact of injuries and overtraining on her career. In this conversation, Katy Shulaeva and Bogdan Grygorenko discuss the critical aspects of training, injury prevention, and the mental health of athletes. They emphasize the importance of rest and...
2025-01-271h 06No Strings Attached ShowConversation #31: Katherine Sebov, Canadian Pro Tennis PlayerKatherine Sebov is a rising Canadian tennis star who has made a significant impact on the professional tennis circuit. Born on January 5, 1999, in Toronto, Ontario, Katherine began her tennis journey at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks, showcasing her exceptional talent and determination.Sebov achieved a career-high WTA singles ranking of No. 136 in April 2023, solidifying her position as one of Canada’s top tennis players. Her breakthrough came in 2023 when she qualified for the Australian Open, marking her Grand Slam debut. She continued to impress by securing her fi...
2024-11-2257 minNo Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #30: Marie-France Mercier, Director of Coach Education at Tennis CanadaWhole Player Development Pathway: https://www.tenniscanada.com/play/whole-player-development-pathway/In this episode, Bogdan Grygorenko interviews Marie-France Mercier, the director of coaching education at Tennis Canada, discussing her journey into coaching, the evolution of coach education in Canada, and the importance of competency-based coaching. They explore the qualities that make great coaches, the significance of community among coaches, and debunk myths surrounding coaching qualifications. The conversation emphasizes the need for a growth mindset and the development of essential coaching skills, encapsulated in the framework of the five Cs: culture, character, connection, confidence, and competence. In this conversation...
2024-10-281h 00No Strings Attached ShowQ&A Session #1: How to recharge as a tennis coach, how to save money in the winter, and more.This is the first session of its kind where you guys asked me a bunch of questions and I responded to all of them. If you have more questions please ask them below. Also you can follow me on instagram and ask me questions there: https://www.instagram.com/bgd.tennis/
2024-07-3120 minNo Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #29: Simon Bartram, Tennis Director at The Toronto Lawn Tennis ClubA past winner of Tennis Canada’s triumvirate of awards—Course Facilitator of the Year, Tennis Professional of the Year, and Coach of the Year—Simon Bartram leads the club’s tennis operations. Certified as a Level 4 Coach and Club Pro 3 by Tennis Canada, and a former ATP-ranked competitor, Simon has been a central part of Toronto Lawn Tennis since 1990. With nearly unrivalled experience in all facets of tennis, Simon has coached former WTA players, and is a past recipient of the Tennis Canada Coaching Excellence Award for his work with Daniel Nestor and other members of the Sunshine Cup winn...
2024-07-1056 minNo Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #28: Andre Labelle, Canadian Coaching LegendAndre Labelle has been coaching his entire life on the highest possible international arenas including the Olympics, pro tour, and Grand Slam tournaments. He was responsible for developing many international tennis starts from Canada like Bianca Andreescu (ages 13-19) and Felix Auger-Aliassime (up to U13). He has been working for tennis Canada for many years as a Head National Coach, making direct impact on top juniors in Canada. Andre continues to work at TC in his home town of Montreal to this day.This interview was very special because I worked with Andre for 4 years and it...
2024-06-0759 minNo Strings Attached ShowConversation #27: Kristaps Petrovs, Head of Sports Science Department at the Granite ClubI APOLOGIES FOR THE TECHNICAL ISSUES IN THIS VIDEO. IT WAS OUT OF OUR CONTROL. I HOPE YOU STILL ENJOYED THIS EPISODE!Kristaps Petrovs is experienced Fitness coach with over 2 decades of coaching experience. He has worked with over 16 different sports (summer and winter) from juniors to professionals - Olympians and is currently heading the Granite Club's Sports Science department where he oversees and manages 6different sports (water, sliding and racquet sports). Currently he is also working with a professional badminton player in preparation for summer Olympic games 2024 in Paris.Kristaps has also previously worked...
2024-03-181h 13No Strings Attached ShowConversation #26: Carson Bell, HP Coach at the Saville Community Sports Centre (Edmonton, Alberta)Carson is a fully certified Coach 3 and Club Pro 2. He has been coaching at the Saville Community Sports Centre for more than 20 years currently working mainly with athletes aged 10-18. Carson has been a Provincial Coach for Tennis Alberta leading teams at roughly 40 Junior Nationals. In 2015 Carson coached the Canadian Women's team at the World Universiade games. As a player Carson is currently ranked #1 in Canada for the over 35 Masters singles and doubles rankings. He is also a multiple time Alberta Provincial Open champion. Carson is one of the founders of the Owen Schlosser World Team Tennis which raises funds...
2024-02-2658 minNo Strings Attached ShowConversation #25: Dennis Lindsay, owner of "The Athlete's Gym"About Coach Lindsay:Coach Lindsay has worked with athletes involved with Tennis Canada since 1996, as well as having been a National Strength Coach with the organization. Coach Lindsay has also provided programming to University Varsity Teams, OHL hockey clubs, European professional hockey clubs, and a wide variety of Minor Associations. Dennis formerly worked in a multidisciplinary rehabilitation clinic as a Physiotherapy Assistant (PTA). Prior to that, he has held fitness and health programming positions in Community, Private Industry, Municipal and Corporate Health centers.Dennis has trained over 100 current NHL Players (and hundreds of retired players) a...
2024-01-2159 minNo Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #24: Karl Hale, Tournament Director of National Bank Open, Owner Premier Racquet ClubsKarl Hale has an accomplished tennis history. He has played competitive tennis internationally, participated as a player and coach in Davis Cup for Jamaica, and is a former Fed Cup coach for Canada. He was named tournament director of National Bank Open presented by National Bank in Toronto on December 11, 2006.Hale was born in Falmouth, Jamaica and played Davis Cup tennis from 1988 to 1999 and again in 2004. He held the Davis Cup record for longest three-set match, winning 23-21 in the final set. In 2003, Hale was coach of the Canadian Fed Cup team that advanced to a World...
2023-12-2233 minNo Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #23: Alastair Millair and Zack Ohlin from The Grey ZoneIn this conversation we discuss lack of tennis courts and tournaments in Ontario, use of video in coaching, coaching decision making and more. For separate interviews with my guests please visit separate links:Alastair: https://youtu.be/GQvdwFsiKHw?si=GyDB9SoC_CvWkD6HZack: https://youtu.be/F9AvNNxS7rU?si=fu6Ypkrp3Rq1UDh9
2023-12-071h 13No Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #22: Chris Manzinali, Statistics in TennisChris Manzinali has been part of the tennis community for over 20 years. As a junior he spent most of his career training with Milos Roanic, reaching top 50 in Canada. He was mentored by Casey Curtis, former coach of Milos Raonic. Chris is currently the Director of High Performance at Tennis Clubs of Canada coaching multiple players to top 10 in Canada and has worked as a Team Ontario coach for U12 and U14 Nationals.
2023-08-031h 01No Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #21: Zack Ohlin, Director of Mens Tennis at KLTK, Stockholm, SwedenZack Ohlin is responsible for men's tennis at the Academy of KLTK in Stockholm, Sweden. He is also travelling the ITF Junior and Pro circuits, the junior Grand Slams. At the same time Zack is completing a Master's of Education in High Performance Coaching (UBC) and doing consulting for coaches, clubs, and players. Zack is a former Junior Davis Cup Coach, touring coach on the WTA Tour, and a director of high performance at The Tennis Centre Coquitlam. He is a a recipient of High Performance Coach of the Year (Tennis BC, 2018), Gary Caron Award (Tennis Canada, 2019), and Tennis...
2023-06-2658 minNo Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #20: Miron Mann, High Performance Director at Richmond Hill Country ClubMiron began coaching at the Richmond Hill Country Club in 2008 primarily starting with recreational level players working his way up the ladder. He was awarded The Gary Caron National Scholarship Award in 2012 awarded the top Under 30 coach in Canada. Miron has been a Team Ontario Provincial Coach for over 5 years and also a Tennis Canada Mentor Coach travelling internationally with the likes of Felix Auger-Ailliasime when he was U14. In 2019 Miron received a Tennis Canada Coaching excellence award. Miron is a certified Level 3 coach, he was previously in charge of RHCC High Performance Program and is currently the Director o...
2023-05-221h 12No Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #19: Pierre Lamarche, Canadian Tennis LegendPierre Lamarche (born January 2, 1947) is a Canadian former tennis player and coach.Raised in Montreal, Quebec, Lamarche played collegiate tennis in the United States for Mississippi State University and was known for having a fiery on court persona. He made a solitary Davis Cup appearance for Canada in 1974, featuring in the doubles rubber of a tie against Mexico in his home province, which he and Réjean Genois lost to Raúl Ramírez and Vicente Zarazúa. From 1991 to 1996 he served as the team's non playing captain and steered the Canadians into the World Group for the...
2023-04-251h 49No Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #18 Frederic Fontang, a long time coach of Felix Auger-AliassimeA successful junior, Fontang won the Petits As in 1984 and was the French 16s champion in 1986.Fontang had his best year on tour in 1991 when he reached two ATP Tour finals. He was runner-up in the San Marino Open and won a tournament in Palermo.The following year he reached the quarter-finals at Palermo and was also a quarter-finalist in the Estoril Open. At these tournaments he had wins over three top 40 players, Franco Davín, Javier Sánchez and Fabrice Santoro.Fontang took part in seven French Opens but didn't register a wi...
2023-04-0632 minNo Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #17: Philip Bester, former top 225 ATPPhilip Bester (born October 6, 1988) is a Canadian former professional tennis player from North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Bester was a finalist at the 2006 junior French Open. In doing so he became the first Canadian male to reach a Grand Slam final in singles.
2023-03-221h 05No Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #16: Rob Shaw, Strength and Conditioning CoachRob has played competitive sports since he was 8 years old. Developing in academies and athletics at a high level in hockey, baseball and volleyball. Rob has trained athletic development for the last 10 years in multiple sports including hockey, baseball, football, soccer, tennis and track. The focus for the last few years has been on holistic athletic development, as well as child development/ neurology and development of athletic systems to get the most performance out of his athletes by training the entire body and all of its functions.
2023-03-011h 47No Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #15: Jon Kudjerski, Personal High Performance Coach from TorontoJon is a strong Coach 3 Club Pro 3 joining us after his last 15 years developmental coaching. He spent his career developing provincial and national juniors working with the Toronto Tennis Academy, U10 and U12 provincial teams and as a National Coach. Jon was awarded a National Coaching Development Award in 2015. Over the past five years, he has been dedicated to coaching one player who is currently 1400th in the junior ITF rankings while traveling over North America, the Caribbean and Europe. Jon values giving back to the coaching community and has been heavily involved in coaching leadership. He has been a...
2023-02-221h 09No Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #14: Severine Tamborero, Director of U15 Development at Tennis CanadaSéverine Tamborero is a high performance coach, speaker, consultant and author. Being involved in the tennis world for more than 30 years, she graduated from the National Institute of Coaching in Montreal and holds her Level 4 National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).Séverine is a renowned speaker and consultant. She works with parents, athletes, coaches and federations in various sports. She is the author of the book « Casser le Moule » and co-author of the book “La performance à quel prix” ». She has been with Tennis Canada since 2000 as a coach and director of development for ages 10 and under and high p...
2023-02-221h 07No Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #13: Alastair Millar, owner of The Supreme CourtAlastair is the owner and Tennis Director of The Supreme Court, including The Supreme Court Tennis Club’s in Toronto and Sierra Vista, Arizona. Alastair is one of only a handful of Tennis Canada Coach 3 and Club Professional 3’s in the country. Alastair has helped athletes achieve 3 National Titles and 7 Provincial Titles since 2019 and has helped develop ITF juniors to reach rankings as high as #53 in the world, including wins over Junior Grand Slam finalists.
2023-02-201h 50No Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #12: Mike Hall, Director of Tennis for The Tennis Centre in Langley, BCMike Hall is currently the Tennis Director for The Tennis Centre in Langley, BC. He is a Tennis Canada certified Coach 4 and graduate of their mentorship program. Mike has also received the Tennis Canada Excellence award multiple times and is a winner of the TPA Coaching Excellence award. Previously was the Tennis Director at ACE Tennis where he helped guide many players to national and international championships as well as NCAA scholarships.
2023-02-181h 26No Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #11: Marlene Nobrega, former Physiotherapist to ATP/WTA and Tennis CanadaMarlene has been a long time physiotherapist for Tennis Canada from 1990 to 2019, Consulting therapist to the WTA and ATP working with many top players. She is a true expert in her field with over 30 years of experience on the highest level of her craft. Marlene worked with numerous players that range from professional to juniors or all ages. She also is certified NCCP instructor, teaching many seminars to level 2 through 4 coaches.
2023-02-161h 03No Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #10: Alisa Baranovska, Ukrainian Tennis National ChampionAlisa Baranovska is a Ukrainian tennis player who is currently transitioning from junior to professional tennis. She is a former Tennis Europe #1 in U14 category. Alisa also was a member of Junior National Team Ukraine and represented her country on numerous occasions in team competitions, including junior world cup. She recently won adult national championship in Ukraine.
2023-02-141h 03No Strings Attached ShowConversation #9: Chris Manzinali, Director of HP at Tennis Clubs of CanadaChris Manzinali has been part of the tennis community for over 20 years. As a junior he spent most of his career training with Milos Roanic, reaching top 50 in Canada. He was mentored by Casey Curtis, former coach of Milos Raonic. Chris is currently the Director of High Performance at Tennis Clubs of Canada coaching multiple players to top 10 in Canada and has worked as a Team Ontario coach for U12 and U14 Nationals.
2023-02-1356 minNo Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #8: Kayla Cross, 2x Junior Grand Slam Doubles FinalistIt was great catching up with Kayla. I've known her since she was 10. In this interview we talk about her childhood, travelling, as well as her coaches. hope you guys take something valuable away from this!
2023-02-121h 03No Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #7: Aleksandar Mitric, Boys U18 Canadian National ChampionIn this video I talk with Aleksandar Mitric, Canadian tennis player who won U18 boy national title, secured a scholarship with Princeton University. We talk about his childhood and teenage years. Alex also shares valuable insights and tips for younger generation.
2023-02-1249 minNo Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #6: Rob Steckley, former tennis coach of Lucie Safarova and Dennis ShapovalovThis conversation was recorded in 2019.Robert Steckley (born 16 February 1980) is a Canadian former professional tennis player.Steckley, who had a best singles ranking of 464, made his only ATP Tour main draw appearance as a wildcard at the 2005 Rogers Cup, a Masters tournament in Montreal, where he lost his first round match in three sets to Kenneth Carlsen. He won an ITF Futures title at Rockhampton in 2006.A member of the Canada Davis Cup team in 2005 and 2006, Steckley played in three singles rubbers. On debut in 2005 he defeated Daniel Vallverdú of Venezuela, bu...
2023-02-121h 47No Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #5: Dr. Dominique HarmathThis episode was recorded in 2019!It featured Dr. Dominique Harmath on the topic of Tennis Injury Risk, Training Load and Recovery. Whether you are a competitive tennis player, coach, parent or someone that just loves playing the sport, this podcast will explain how to manage training loads to reduce the risk of injury and take you through some recovery strategies to meet performance goals.Dr. Harmath is an evidence-based chiropractor and a Sports Sciences Resident with the Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences Canada, the most extensive sport specialtytraining program in the chiropractic...
2023-02-111h 07No Strings Attached ShowConversation #4: Dr. Carmine Felice, a sports science expertThis is a conversation I had with Dr. Felice in 2019.Dr. Carmine Filice is a performance therapist, chiropractor, and certified strength and conditioning specialist. He has a doctorate of Chiropractic studies from Southern California University of Health Science and was the only non-medical student ever allowed into Harvard’s Medical Acupuncture program. Carmine has worked around the world with the top specialists and the most elite training facilities. He works with professional athletes and teams from a variety of major leagues – MLB, MLS, NHL, AVP, MMA, World Champions and Olympians.He believes in using...
2023-02-101h 32No Strings Attached ShowConversation #3: Dylan Moscovitch, Olympic silver medalist in Sochi 2014Dylan David Moscovitch is a retired Canadian pair skater. He competed with Liubov Ilyushechkina from 2014 to 2018. They were the 2017 Four Continents bronze medalists, two-time bronze medalists on the Grand Prix series, and three-time Canadian national medalists. With former partner Kirsten Moore-Towers, he was the 2013 Four Continents silver medalist, 2014 Olympic team event silver medalist, and 2011 Canadian national champion.
2023-02-091h 32No Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #2: Carol Zhao, Team Canada Player and Former 131 WTAThis episode was recorded in 2019. I apologize for the sound quality, the studio mic was not working and I found out only after recording. Rookie mistake :)Carol Zhao is a professional tennis player with a career high of 131 WTA in singles. She was the first Canadian to be ranked #1 in NCAA. Carol represented Canada on several occasions in FedCup. She also is a talented musician, songwriter and most importantly great human being. We talked about her childhood, her junior career, university, and pro experiences and all the challenges she had to overcome along the way.
2023-02-081h 33No Strings Attached ShowNSA Conversation #1: Dean Coburn, former tennis coach of Peter PolanskyThis was recorded in 2019.Dean Coburn is a former coach of Peter Polansky, former national coach with over 25 years of experience. He represented Canada on numerous occasions as a captain for U14 girls' team in World Junior Tennis Championships, as well as other team competitions. Dean's expertise ranges from working with young players to professionals on the tour.
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