THE COACH'S SIGNIFICANCE IN A PLAYER'S DEVELOPMENT
Becoming a really good tennis player is not just about talent and the willingness to train. A crucial factor is the type of guidance and support the player receives during their development journey – and here, the coach plays a central role.
THE COACH – MORE THAN JUST AN INSTRUCTOR
A coach in competitive and elite activities is much more than someone who just corrects technique or arranges exercises. The coach's role is to see the whole picture – to develop the player, the person, and the athlete in harmony.
This means, among other things, that:
Analyze and adapt training according to the player's age, level, personality, and goals.
Build a strong training relationship characterized by trust, clarity, and honest feedback.
Teach the player to train correctly, not just a lot – quality before quantity.
Be a support during tough times when motivation, self-confidence, or results falter.
Assist with match coaching, planning, and feedback.
Develop the player's independence, so that they can eventually think, make decisions, and adapt themselves on the court.
SAFETY AND CLARITY - KEYS TO DEVELOPMENT
Many of the world's best players testify to how important the relationship with the coach is. Rafael Nadal has highlighted his uncle Toni Nadal as crucial for understanding the values of the game – not just how to win, but how to behave and develop in the long term. Novak Djokovic has repeatedly emphasized that the coaches he has benefited most from are those who dared to challenge him – and who saw his entire life situation, not just the technical aspects.
A COACH MAKES A DIFFERENCE – IN BOTH EVERYDAY LIFE AND RESULTS
When a player develops, it is often the coach who:
Finds the right balance between technique, tactics, physical fitness, and the mental aspect.
Creates structure and variation over time – so that the training feels motivating.
Ensures that the load is appropriate – so that the player stays injury-free.
Encourages at the right moment, holds back when necessary, listens when it is important.
It’s not just about getting a better forehand – it’s about growing as a tennis player and a person.
THE TRAINING TEAM AT ULLEVI TENNIS CLUB
Damien Croisat comes from France and has a solid background in tennis. He worked for the French Tennis Federation in Lyon between 2009 and 2011 and holds the highest coaching qualification in France, Diplôme d’État Supérieur. This qualification licenses him to work as a tennis and fitness coach at an elite level, among other things. At Ullevi TK, Damien is responsible for the elite and competition group alongside Lars Jönsson and has been involved in training players such as Johan Brunström and Caijsa Hennemann.
Lars Jönsson is a former professional tennis player from Sweden who achieved a highest ATP ranking of 67 in the world. After his playing career, he worked as the elite responsible at Ullevi TK between 2000 and 2006 before taking a position in Kuwait where he was also the captain of the Davis Cup team. Since 2019, Lars has once again been part of the coaching team at Ullevi TK, focusing on the players within elite and competition activities.
Johan Claesson is responsible for the physical training within the elite activities and contributes a broad expertise in how training is planned based on the specific demands of tennis. He has worked for over 15 years in education within the school system, including in training theory, psychology, and sports, and has a background as an elite player and coach in football. Johan Claesson is an educated sports scientist, Performance Specialist via Exos, and holds a UEFA A license.
The physical training focuses on improving the players' movement patterns, avoiding injuries, and creating conditions for long-term development. The work is based on the movements of tennis and is built on the player being able to:
Make good tennis actions
Repeat these actions many times
Maintain technical quality over time
Through continuous training and well-chosen tests, balance is created between performance and sustainability. Johan Claesson has also played several different sports himself and has a great passion for tennis – even though he says he plays "much rather than well."
With trainers like Damien Croisat, Lars Jönsson, and Johan Claesson on the team, the players at Ullevi Tennis Club receive a training environment where both the game on the court and everything around it is managed with knowledge, structure, and a holistic approach. The path to becoming a better player is never straightforward – but it becomes clearer, safer, and more developmental with the right team behind you.
A HOLISTIC VIEW ON TENNIS TRAINING - WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME REALLY GOOD?
Becoming a professional tennis player is about much more than just being able to hit a hard serve or a perfect forehand. It is a long-term process that requires building up several different parts simultaneously – technically, tactically, physically, and mentally.
At Ullevi Tennis Club, we work with a clear structure where each player is trained to:
Read the game – interpret the opponent's movements, the ball's path, and think a step ahead.
Understand tactics – be able to adapt their game to different opponents and game situations.
Make decisions – choose the right solution at high speed, under pressure.
Hit the right shot – have the technical ability to place the ball where they want, with the right pace and spin.
Use their tools – know when to play safe, when to take risks, when to defend, and when to finish.
Manage pressure and stress – both during matches and in training periods.
Be able to recover – mentally and physically, to maintain performance over time.
All of this is trained step by step, and it requires patience, consistency, and the right guidance. It's about creating players who don't just "do the right thing" – but who understand why, can think for themselves, and take responsibility for their development.
Our philosophy is based on the idea that a player who has understood the game in depth – both on and off the field – has much better conditions to succeed in the long run.
