Piotr Sierzputowski – The Modern Day Coach

DISCLAIMER: Please note we use a transcription service, so there may be some errors in the following transcription of this episode. If you can, please refer to the audio for exact quotations.

Daniel Kiernan  00:09

Welcome to Control the Controllables. I'm Dan Kiernan from Soto Tennis Academy in Spain, and we teamed up with Macx Tennis Academy in Ireland. We brought this podcast together to entertain, educate, and energize the tennis community through the different lenses of the sport that we love. From Grand Slam champions to those at grassroots level, from sports journalists, to backroom staff. Our aim is truly to get under the bonnet of the tennis world at all levels. So sit back and enjoy the show. Welcome to Episode 152, of Control the Controllables today's guest was a Grand Slam winning coach before the age of 30.

Piotr Sierzputowski  01:00

It's like a dream for every coach. Everybody wants to win the Grand Slam, that's first. Second everybody wants to win the Grand Slam if they develop players since early age. And third winning a Grand Slam not losing a set is like it's like a dream for anybody. And you'll feel that she dominated on the court she played well. So that was the best feeling in the world.

Daniel Kiernan  01:21

Not as PRT Sherpa tomsky The coach or should I say the former coach of Iga Swiatek. He worked with Iga from the age of 15. Through to 1920. Tucker, to being the roll on garros champion in 2020, to top five player in the world, and really went along that development journey. His story is amazing because he was working in his local club when Iga walked in. And it's a great story to hear. It's a motivational story for tennis coaches to hear. He tells it in a way that is humble. And I've been lucky enough to meet Piotr a few times now. And he is a great guy. And he's an amazing guest to have on Control the Controllables. So sit back and listen to Piotr Sierzputowski. So Piotr, a big welcome to Control the Controllables how're you doing?

Piotr Sierzputowski  02:23

I'm doing fine. You

Daniel Kiernan  02:25

Doing very well. And we've been talking for almost a year now about getting you on the podcast. You were in Sotogrande, I can't believe it's been almost a year since you were over here. And what I like to start with PR, on these on these podcasts is everyone has their own journey into tennis. And you know, you've had a fantastic journey, something that's moved very fast in the coaching world over the last few years. But how did your tennis journey start?

Piotr Sierzputowski  02:58

My journey starts when I was I don't know, like seven or eight started playing tennis. My parents took me took me to the court. So it's nothing crazy. I was doing judo and tennis at the same time until I don't know, I was 1314 and then I stick with tennis. So it's actually the time I started to help younger players with let's call it hit as a hitting partner as a coach because I have a younger sister six years who was like in need of somebody who will hit with her on the weekends. So everybody around who was watching us and was asking me if I can do the same with other kids for let's call it some small payments. So so that's that's why I decided to stay only with 10 is because it was already too much school and to sports and let's call it some kind of coaching. So So yeah, so then I started with tennis and it was my beginning of the coaching career as a heating partner for younger split younger players then then then me

Daniel Kiernan  04:05

so do you did you not have the ambition to be a tennis player yourself

Piotr Sierzputowski  04:10

I wouldn't call it that I had no ambition to get a tennis player but let's say financially, I knew it is gonna be tough for my parents to keep going with two players and my sister was like that promising one. Because suppose like she was number one in Poland like sometimes number two but being close, getting good in tennis, European, European tennis, so she was the one who supposed to travel more and I knew that expenses are huge. So for me it was like more like I loved tennis. I enjoyed every minute on the courts when I get to the practice, but I was I was doing that totally for myself. So when I got a little bit injured or I was super, extremely tired. I was given up a little bit. I wasn't playing need that many tournaments? So I wasn't able to, like, check my level accurately. So I'm, I'm happy where I am. And I wouldn't change that for anything. And

Daniel Kiernan  05:11

would you beat your sister at tennis?

Piotr Sierzputowski  05:15

Like, there was a time like in the end, like I wasn't playing anymore. And she was she was really hustling hard. Like, she was close to doing some sets with me. And maybe she won't even won. But But yeah, it was like, for her, it was a huge challenge to win with me. So I think right now, she will be able to, as I'm not paying that much, but give me just two weeks, and I'm read until

Daniel Kiernan  05:42

she still play tennis, and she's still, she's still playing on the tennis world. She

Piotr Sierzputowski  05:48

isn't in a coaching store, like she lives more so and she she is a coach, too. So let's see where it will go for her.

Daniel Kiernan  05:57

And, and I guess what I'm trying to do PRT is, is set the scene a little bit, because I think certainly being British and I can talk about the British way. Very, very comfortably, I can talk about the Spanish were very comfortably now I've been here for 12 years. But I think in general in tennis, it is quite hard to to get opportunities to work with high level players, unless you have already played at that level. Or if you have already coached at that level. And that's what I love about your story. Because I think I think your story shows people that there is a place in this tennis world for somebody who who is young, enthusiastic, who was then able to learn their trade, working with a young player. And and obviously your name has become a global name because of your work with eager Sri on tech. And and I believe EGA was around age 14, when when you first started to work with her. So how, how did that come about? Tell us tell us that story.

Piotr Sierzputowski  07:11

So Iga was 15. Actually, it was 2016. After Roland Garros, she did really well, because she went from qualities was her first I think our second Grand Slam juniors, she went from quallies to quarter final and Nimman time her coach said he not going to work with her anymore. So so they finished their cooperation. And I was actually working at the club where she was practicing. And my boss came to me that they are looking for some some opportunity to what I be able to help them to hit with her bed to feed some balls and just to take care of the logistics when she is at home. So So I said, Of course I don't have an experience for that. And I think she was already top 30 In the words of words of juniors. So let's say I knew that even for that level, my experience wasn't that great because I worked with younger players at that time. So it wasn't that easy decision. But they said to me like, okay, so we start working with you. And in the meantime, we'll try to find some main coach, you're going to be in charge of the team, and you're going to be still on a team. But let's call it second assistant coach, we're gonna be traveling because we don't know if we're gonna find somebody who's going to be committed 100% And you can so you will be here you will be with us. And you will develop as a second coach, and maybe in the future is the first coach. But then we started looking even I was helping them to find somebody who is a good coach. But this time, she didn't find a good connection with anybody. So so she she, they asked me like after three months, they said like we like what you do, where we can stick to that. And we love the way you do practices so and how you organize the staff. So maybe you don't have an experience, but we would like to start working with you. And it was really smooth. And yeah, like you said, maybe I don't have enough experience for even 30 In a word Jr. But I think it's most more like about what you feel. And if you have a plan and you feel what you can do. Sometimes you go with a player, even on the highest level and you don't know what to change, you know, like what's gonna improve a player everybody thinks that they know. But the truth is like, it's not that easy. Like, you have to have a goal in your mind and you have to look for opportunities to improve as a coach to improve your player. So for me, of course, is a great example that you have to be in the right place. You have to hustle hard, you have to be humble, and you have to look for your opportunities and if you get Um, you have to make them you know, like happen because I know a lot of coaches who had some opportunities and they never, never did it. So it's like the biggest problem because for me, most of the country coaches have huge ego. And like, they are not listening to a players, which is really important.

Daniel Kiernan  10:20

And how old were you at that point? So how, when you first started working with EGA, 2016, how old were you? 2425.

Piotr Sierzputowski  10:28

It was like before, before my 25th birthday, so my best player at the time was like number four in tennis Europe under 14. We've got I started working when she was nine or 10, something like that. So it was a quite as good results, too. But that's all like, you know, no, no other projects will be which been like, extremely good.

Daniel Kiernan  10:49

And what was how did you deal because if we take that story, so she's 30 in the world in juniors at 15. So very clearly has a has a has a bright future ahead. And just over four years later, she's the Roland Garros champion, you know, so it's it's a pretty quick rise. It's a, it's a pretty quick journey. I would imagine along that journey. In a sport like tennis, there's lots of people that want to be involved. There's lots of people that like to say, well, actually, no, no, no, now you need a WTA. Coach. Now you need somebody who, who has worked with players that have won grand slams, how was that journey for you? In terms of the pressures that were on you? And how did you deal with that at such a young age? Success

Piotr Sierzputowski  11:38

has a lot of fathers. So it's always like, you know, it's tough to because you have so many advisors at the points when you start winning. So whenever he got won something whenever she wants, for example, Wimbledon juniors, or she played well, in juniors, there have been like people around who have been trying to get into or just to advise to change a coach. Of course, I had, I had problems like maybe not the problem, but there have been a time that everybody was trying to get there. But I think like EGA, and father and everybody around like, if we are we are going, you know, stable and rising up with rankings, and we are improving. So what's the point of changing because you change when something is not working, and everybody, everything was working. We've been improving really fast, but I wouldn't call it the fastest, because there are some players who got to the top, much quicker than EGA. But we are from the country, which is not like, you know, well, tennis specialized. And it took us a little bit longer, we got hit only one wildcard to the carrier I believe in if she had some more, it would be easier to get to the top but not that easy to stay at the top. So right now she believes that she really belongs to the place where she is. So So I think it's the best way.

Daniel Kiernan  12:57

But you said you say don't change when something's working, which this is very logical. This is a very logical way of thinking. So what's your what's your thoughts on Emma Raducanu, who who, who came through very similar I guess, to eager in terms of being a good Junior, coming through age 19, winning, winning a grand slam in the US Open. And then the next week, she removed her coach, because she felt she needed someone with more experience.

Piotr Sierzputowski  13:28

So, that my question is like, they played together in juniors, Wimbledon when he won, and it was actually pretty easy match for a guy. But this time, but my question is, how many coaches did she has had, like this year when she fired him? Because I feel like he wasn't the only one working with her that year. And I wouldn't say like, of course, it's great that they did great. But still, it's kind of way like you are looking, you are looking for a coach. So I would say they've been like for me, it wasn't like a true cooperation. They didn't work for many years. They didn't work even for many months. So that's the question.

Daniel Kiernan  14:15

So how important is a coach? So if we take if we take eager, would eager have become a top five player in the world almost regardless of who she worked with? Or do you think that the coach has a really important role to play in that?

Piotr Sierzputowski  14:32

In my opinion, like sooner or later she would get there, but I'm not 100% Sure it would be so smooth, it would be so great. No, like easy because it seems easy from outside. It wasn't from inside, but from outside for sure. It seems easy. And it's like good, like tennis is changing. You have different time zones, you have to travel different people around so you are looking for the constants, which are if your team is It's constant, it's way, way easier to find something to catch with, to be to stick with, and just to do stuff you believe in. So it's way easier to, you know, to use your skills on the tour, which is tough that that sport is really tough. I don't say, like other sports or not, but tennis is absolutely devastating for a mindset. And it's really difficult.

Daniel Kiernan  15:23

Because it also one thing that really hit me when you were in, at Sato tennis before before the clinical season last year, was was what a great team, you guys weren't and, and I think a couple of things stood out for me PRT was one, one was how close you all were, you know, it really felt like, you know, you were you were a family, you know, all together or working. I even remember when we met you first at the, at the apartment, I almost didn't recognize anybody to the point where I didn't really even recognize eager, it just looked like a family was moving into, into the apartment. You know, there was no big standout celebrity, we're, we're of acting. And the second thing that stood out to me as everyone seemed to really know their roles. And, you know, ego was one of seems to be to the best of my knowledge, one of the first players to travel with a sports psychologist, you know, you then brought on Mike James, as a performance analyst Analyst within the team, you then have got the the fitness team and the physio tick, you know, and, and it really felt like everyone knew their place. So for you as the lead tennis coach, how was that to always, firstly, always have a sports psychologist with you as part of the team? So I think that's a little bit different to how a lot of tennis coaches have worked in the past.

Piotr Sierzputowski  16:47

And I wouldn't just say about psychologists, but I would say overall, like, I think we are not able to have so much knowledge to guide the player in everything. If somebody is saying so I think he's, that's what I said about ego. It's like or better ego or, like, not understanding the words. So why would we wouldn't hire if we have resources, people who knows better than we are, you know, it's like, easy for me, it's, I understand that I don't have to be a specialist in tennis technique, I can hire somebody, even if it's my role as a coach, to the tennis technique. But overall, as a team coach, like, like you said, like, coach of devil player, most important part is planning and programming the practices. It's not about if she going to are going to play perfectly technically, you know, like, look at Daniel right now, maybe as we have who is playing with the technique, you wouldn't teach anybody on the court. But it's, it's this technique is working. So, of course, you can bring always different people to a team try to find a horse, they can support you if you know, like you said, Who is responsible? For what?

Daniel Kiernan  18:07

Yeah, no, no, absolutely not. And that really, that really shone through with you guys. And I just want to touch a little bit on the data analyst side, because when when we spoke about this, you know, you you explained it really well to me on, on how you were all using the data analysts, not just to scout opponents, but actually, as a development tool for ego. You know, and maybe, if we've got a 30 year old, 35 year old on the tour, that's not necessarily looking to develop their game. They're using data analyst to scout their opponents. And I thought it was a really progressive way that you were thinking, and and then the second thing that stands out on that as well beyond I'd love your thoughts on this is, you also talked about keeping the freshness in practice, and making sure that you've got fresh content with the player to be going into training blocks as well. And again, I just think it's a really progressive, no ego way of thinking. So what were your thoughts behind that when you guys have the data analyst in the team?

Piotr Sierzputowski  19:16

I tried guys before Mike, actually, and I am right now really good friend with him. And for me, like I didn't ask him for scouting at all. I feel like it's one of my best, you know, skills to scout the opponent's player and I love to do this by myself. Because then I explained as well but scouting your player who you spend time with and you don't see the staff you should see sometimes you are out of the team. It's a little bit easier because you are from the side. So for me, numbers never lies the first thing. Second is I feel like this one statistic should be used for not for scouting, scouting keys sounds something like you feel it or you don't. But numbers are really useful to you to improve your games and to improve your game overall. So, like you said, I started working with him. And straightaway, there was the first guy trying to sell me scouting. And

Daniel Kiernan  20:23

Now we go to Roland Garros 2020, in quite incredible, incredible run, an incredible achievement. Not dropping a set, hardly, hardly dropping games within within the set. How was how was that experience for you?

Piotr Sierzputowski  20:44

Oh, come on. It's like a dream for every coach, you nothing I can say more about it. Like everybody wants to win the Grand Slam, that's first. Second. Everybody wants to win the Grand Slam if they develop players since early age, so maybe not super early, but still, as a junior player. And third, winning a Grand Slam not losing a set is like is like a dream for anybody. And you feel that she dominated on the court. She played? Well, she did exactly what you asked her for. So that was the best feeling in the world. So I was just happy.

Daniel Kiernan  21:17

And how did your life change? Because, again, I asked Iga this same question when we had Iga on the podcast. And it was almost like now you are have gone from being maybe somebody famous, I mean Iga in particular, but the Koch of a of a Grand Slam champion in a country like Poland, I would imagine almost overnight, your fame and life changed almost forever.

Piotr Sierzputowski  21:44

It's good that not for for people working around ego change that drastically as for her because it's not easy to handle. And you have to be really prepared for that. And right now I know it's really, really poor. But overall, we change. Yeah, people were looking differently at you, you're going to show up every day. And everybody's like looking at you. But you're at the level. I think the worst one like they know you but they don't know from where, you know. So it's like, it's like difficult to handle. But for a guy is different as a player, like you go into a store and everybody's asking for photos, and autographs is different. But overall, like you said, a lot of change. A lot of things changed. But it was good. It was pandemic like masks on. And you know, we've been traveling for the tournaments from preseason for preseason. So it wasn't that bad. I would say that right now I have much more let's call it power power of words. Like if I say anything to Poland, everybody's listening. It's I'm not you know, I'm recognizable. Recognized right now I'm on a coaching level. So So it's different, but I wouldn't say it changed my life. So it was tough for for a while. But right now it's okay. i Right now, I would say right now that I feel a little bit like a celebrity when I finished the coop when we finished that Corporation, which is not a good thing for me. Because it's like, you know, I'm a coach, I work behind the scenes, so it's different.

Daniel Kiernan  23:19

And you talk about the finish of the cooperation. And I think it's like when you're at school and two people split up, you know, what, what was it? Is it something that you both wanted? Is did that come from Iga? Did that come from yourself? And and how are things between you now,

Piotr Sierzputowski  23:38

I would say that something like collapsed in our let's call it Relationship Coach player. And it wasn't that good for the last few months. So it just came to the end to the end. And I felt like it's the right way to go. But she took that decision. And she made it like with the word class. So I felt like it's the only right way I just didn't make make it by myself. So I'm happy with it right now. And I hope she's happy with it, too. And she can still develop as a player because I put a lot of effort for her to be a good player. So right now I you know, I only wish her best and I hope my career were will still go on like like it wasn't a past.

Daniel Kiernan  24:20

No, I'm sure I'm sure it will Piotr and what might one question and one of my last questions because I know we're under a little bit of time pressure is You're still so young. And you've you've already had so much that's happened in your in your coaching career. How's how's your philosophy? Well, firstly, what is your tennis philosophy, coaching philosophy, and how has that evolved and changed over the last few years?

Piotr Sierzputowski  24:50

I think I learned the most like last two years on the tour. And I would say it gave me so much you know, knowledge and the Knowledge is not about tennis, it's about any sport, anything you do in your life, which is you have to plan and be ready to adapt. And for me, this is the most important part you cannot be on preferred you have to be, you have to always have something on your mind, you have to be ready to be changing stuff. Because sometimes things happens, you don't know what they're gonna happen, and you don't, you cannot be you know, like, stubborn and trying to do the stuff which don't work. If even if you truly believe it should work, you should be really, really adapting to a situation which is happening.

Daniel Kiernan  25:41

And in terms of that, on the WTA Tour, what again, it really hit me when when we first met Piotr, is your your openness to share your willingness to talk to talk openly about your thoughts, your your feelings, your philosophies. Is that something that you found on the tour that other coaches? Were open to that as well?

Piotr Sierzputowski  26:07

I would say a little bit, yes. And a little bit no, there is no one good answer for that, because everybody is different. And this is my philosophy for, you know, two years, maybe a little bit back in time, too. But I didn't, you know, like, I didn't write wrote it down for myself. So still, I was going in exactly the same way, but maybe not so specific. But on the tour, I met a lot of different people, like people who are great coaches, people who are great managers, people who are great in some things, and I are really bad in others. And everybody has a own own journey, and everybody has own set of skills. So you can still be a good coach, even if you don't have something. But you have to be really open minded. And right now we can see that there is a lot of behind couch coaches on the tour, who are differently, they have different approach than coaches who used to work like for a few years for many years. And they are looking for opportunities to improve. And this is I think, like the part of the coaching group I am in. So So I love to that way of thinking and I I really believe it's important. And then

Daniel Kiernan  27:23

And then you have the superstar of the women's tour on the coaching side, Patrick Mouratoglou. You know, Is he someone that you've been able to get close to? Is he someone what what are your thoughts on Patrick and and what he's brought to tennis? And Is he someone who personally you've managed to get to know,

Piotr Sierzputowski  27:42

Like, we had a small chat once we wanted Iga to go to his academy, but nothing really serious. I would say I won't be saying anything about his coaching because I I saw him only a few times on the court, but overall is somebody who is promoting coaches all over the world around the world. And you know, showing the important input, how important coaches are, and building the marketing around it. And I'm really thankful for that. Because not a lot of coaches does it because like I said, we are working behind the scenes. So it's good to have somebody who is making the marketing for us. And of course, I would love to do to have more coaches like that, to make it to show what we do what what what is our job, what is our word, how we live. So as coaches, you and me, we should be thankful for him

Daniel Kiernan  28:38

No, he's opening a lot of doors. And then now we've got the Netflix show that's coming from the Australian Open as well, which I think is gonna be a good thing for our industry as well. So people can people can really see the work, the work that does go on. Now. My last last question before the quick fire round is what's next for PR because you've like I say your age 30 in and around 30 years old, you're already a Grand Slam winning coach. You've had an amazing collaboration with ESP on tech for five years. You're now in a position. There's obviously rumors that are circulating around what happens next with you. So what's next in the short term and long term for you?

Piotr Sierzputowski  29:25

So to clarify, I'm not working and I'm not gonna work with Simona that's the first thing but yeah, right now I started the trial period. Cooperation with with another player, and I hope come back to the tour but no rush. We have to see if it's going to work out for both of us because I feel it's really important for coach to feel that he has he has some opportunity to improve as a coach and to improve a player. So let's see. I just began so I don't want to say is loud with coaches. That's so so let's see, Senator halls?

Daniel Kiernan  30:02

I understand that and how long do you see yourself? Do you see this is your future for the next 30 years? On the WTA? Tour? It's obviously a big commitment, you're giving your life to support somebody else's life. Is this something you think there's a, there's a shelf life of how long coaches are able to do it? Or is it hard now to see you doing anything else?

Piotr Sierzputowski  30:25

You know, for me, I know, it's not like, lifetime, you cannot do this for so many years. Because then you have to start your own family, you have to start some businesses, it's not possible to do the, like, you know, for a whole I full time. But of course, it's possible to do do it for a whole life part time. Right now I'm, at the moment, like, I'm in a stage where I can fully commit, and I can travel full year. So I love and I want to take advantage of it and be there and try to do as much as possible as soon as possible, as I'm able to so so that's it like this, this like it's so right now I'm taking opportunity, because I feel like it's a great time for me and I can improve but in the end, I know it's tough to do this long, long term, like because your health your family, everything around. It's tough to set up and being like able to, like you said to commit 100% your life to for somebody else life.

Daniel Kiernan  31:29

Well, good luck Piotr, I'm, I'm not going to tell the listeners what part of the world you are in, because that might get people starting to talk. But good luck with this collaboration. And and I'm sure whoever it is, and whoever is lucky enough to have you in their corner is a very fortunate person. You know, you're you're a great guy, as someone who's a great coach, and doing it without ego. And I think that's my big takeaway from when I met you. And it's my take away again from talking to you today. And I wish you all the very best of luck but are you ready for our quick fire round?

Piotr Sierzputowski  32:09

Yes, of course. And thank you so much.

Daniel Kiernan  32:11

What does control the controllables mean to

Piotr Sierzputowski  32:15

you like to take serious seriously wherever you can really control and don't care about the stuff you cannot predict. So it's like for me it's like like you said philosophy every day in a life like I'm not really worried about the stuff I don't control.

Daniel Kiernan  32:35

What's your favorite Grand Slam?

Piotr Sierzputowski  32:38

I would say the favorite for me is Australian Open

Daniel Kiernan  32:43

Come on how do you you've got to say Roland Garros surely

Piotr Sierzputowski  32:46

I would love to but I think like I have if you asked me different different questions probably yes. Like what kind of game I love the most I would say on Roland Garros which tournament you feel the most prestigious is going to be Wimbledon but overall every every aspect of organization which is really important for players and coaches, I think Australia is doing the best job

Daniel Kiernan  33:11

Your , 90% of people answer the same thing that are on this podcast so you're in the majority forehand or backhand

Piotr Sierzputowski  33:20

Forehand clear all day long

Daniel Kiernan  33:23

Clear courts or hardcourts

Piotr Sierzputowski  33:24

Hard Courts

Daniel Kiernan  33:27

Serena or Venus

Piotr Sierzputowski  33:30

Serena?

Daniel Kiernan  33:31

Roger or Rafa

Piotr Sierzputowski  33:34

Ah that's a tough one but Rafa

Daniel Kiernan  33:36

Medical timeout or not

Piotr Sierzputowski  33:40

Not

Daniel Kiernan  33:42

Let cords or net cords or not

Piotr Sierzputowski  33:45

Let

Daniel Kiernan  33:47

Lewandowski or Messi.

Piotr Sierzputowski  33:50

Oh, come on easy Lewandowski.

Daniel Kiernan  33:52

What's one rule change you would have in tennis coaching, allowed or not allowed?

Piotr Sierzputowski  34:01

Allowed 100%

Daniel Kiernan  34:04

And who should our next guest be on Control the Controllables

Piotr Sierzputowski  34:08

Oh, have no idea.

Daniel Kiernan  34:12

Come on. Piotr you've got to you've got to have a guest it's your it's your responsibility to get them onto the onto the show. You've got to keep the button. You've got to keep it I will

Piotr Sierzputowski  34:22

I would say my past friend from the team like friends is still my one of the best friends but my past co worker match a restaurant CO is great guy as a fitness, preparation and physio he has absolutely outstanding knowledge and this is the guy you probably want to talk with. Brilliant well,

Daniel Kiernan  34:44

I'll be in touch you've got to give me the hookup. I don't know if I have him on WhatsApp but I'll be in touch to get them on Piotr all the very best. And let's let's stay in touch and keep up the great work. Thank you for coming on.

Piotr Sierzputowski  34:58

Thank you so much to and it was a pleasure, sorry about my connection. But I don't know why I'm in one spot. And sometimes it's great. And sometimes it's not.

Daniel Kiernan  35:06

That's okay. Your your knowledge and insights make up for the lack of connection. So the listeners will forgive you.

Piotr Sierzputowski  35:14

Thank you so much.

Daniel Kiernan  35:15

Okay, take care, man, good luck. So I can now I can now tell you what Piotr was doing. I with all of my guests, they have my absolute word if they don't want me to talk about a subject, or to share something that I don't, but apologies for some of the bad Wi Fi throughout that, because Piotr is is in Miami right now. And he was on his way to training with Shelby Rogers. Now, I'm only saying that because a few hours after our conversation, all over Twitter, someone announced it and the found pictures of him at training. So he's going through a trial period with Shelby Rogers, the reference he made to Simona Halep. We talked about that off air, a couple of different stations picked up that maybe he was on his way, and put two and two together and got six. Because they they knew that semana Hallett was after a new coach Piotr had just finished with EGA. And he was on his way. So he's now in that world, and I talked about it. Throughout the podcast, and before the podcast, he is such a lovely guy. We had the pleasure of having him here in Sotogrande for 710 days with eager before the clay court swing, and 2021. And what what a lovely guy, first and foremost, Vicki.

Victoria Kiernan  36:44

Yeah, he really as we talked about it last year, didn't we, when you spoke to when you had eager on the show, the whole group, not just Piotr. But the whole group when they were at the academy, it was so lovely. so down to earth, saying good morning to everyone goodbye, stopping to chat to people eager chatting to all our players taking pictures with whoever asked, they were just a lovely, lovely group.

Daniel Kiernan  37:06

And I think breaks the mold of what we think of a tennis coach at that level. Because I went and played a little bit of golf with Piotr, when he was here, almost a year ago now. And I was amazed at what things he was telling me. And the insights that he was giving me and he was, he was sharing so openly. Now, I love that about him. And I love that I almost would call him the modern day coach, you know, the fact that he doesn't, he's not fueled by ego and needing, needing to be the person that does every last thing. And he's really bought in to this integrated approach, you know, bringing in the different members of the team, making sure that he's got the right expertise. I've I've always said I've said for a long time now that tennis is very similar to Formula One. And everyone knows their roles. And if those roles, those roles are done, well, then it makes for a much easier life for the driver. And it seems to me like Piotr almost plays that role of team leader who's who's bringing all of the different people to the roles that are needed, and does it in in a very calming, calming way, but a very assured way as well for somebody who was so young. And

Victoria Kiernan  38:28

I don't know if that's had an influence on eager as well, because she also had a very wise head on his shoulders seemed very calm and together. And I think that came across while she was with us. And when you spoke to her on the podcast. I really liked when he said I don't understand why you wouldn't hire if you had the resources, why you wouldn't hire people who know more than you do. And he talked about ego didn't he ego that coaches had, but he seems very comfortable in his position within Iga's team to focus on what's best for her what is going to bring in the best support to develop her and I'm sure he'll do the same whether it's Shelby Rogers or whoever the lucky player is that he works with next. Again, I

Daniel Kiernan  39:10

think it's an interesting topic. There's there's lots of things that jumped to my mind Vicki on that because I think there's going to be interested in him working with someone from a different culture and in a different level of expectation. I think that's the first bit I think, coming from a country like Poland, in that it is a little bit easier to just get on with your job. You know, and I would imagine up to a certain age himself Iga, Daria her sports psychologist, that the fitness coaches they could almost just just do what they need to do and I think there's then a certain security that comes with that. It after she won Roland Garros is maybe when the problems started to happen because all of a sudden she was a bit higher profile expectations go up, and an ultimately as good of a job that Piotr did, he did admit that the last few weeks and months, were a little bit tricky with EGA, you know, and it's not easy to keep all of those relationships going. So I think it will be interesting to unpack that, or it's not really about any of our business, but it will be interesting on what happened there. But I think the second point I want to make, and this is really important for all of us, whether you're a player parent, or a coach, is there's a lot of confidence and reassurance that you take internally, if you if you prepare well. And he made it very clear one when he was here at Sato tennis academy, and two on the podcast, that it's all about planning, get the planning right, in whatever it is that you're doing. And he made a comment to me actually, when he was in sort of grandeur, where I said, I look, let me know, if you want more courts, it's not a problem. You've got the court for two hours, three hours, whatever it was, and let me know if you want more. They said no, no, no, he said, We won't do more Iga does what she is programmed to do. And and there was almost like fun sessions were programmed in. So then it was like, Can I have a couple of your boys to come in and play, play Dingles and play these different games. But again, that was all part of the plan. So So I think

Victoria Kiernan  39:42

They'd always do the football warm up, always fun. Yeah,

Daniel Kiernan  41:36

always. And but all of these things were quite meticulously planned. And I think at that level, when we're talking about taking a player from 20, in the world, to 10 in the world, 10 in the world to five in the world, that the planning does become a big part of that. And once you've planned so effectively, then it's just about then just doing the job and every member of the team doing their jobs. I think the assuredness comes from Matt, I have no doubts, he's going to be a big asset to Shelby or whoever he works with. He's easy. He's got a grand slam that behind him now. But I also have no doubt that there will be some challenges ahead for him. Because I think going from, as I said, going from working with someone from the same country, having that experience into working with someone who's already a top 30, top 20 player in the world, expectations are high. I'm sure not every single relationship will will work out the same as we're eager that That being said, I wish wish him the best of luck. And whoever it is, that does get him next is very lucky. And on that note, I'd like to say a massive thank you for PRT for, for giving his time up. And I know it was a busy time as he was making his way across the highway to the practice session. So PRT, if you are listening, your top man, thank you very much.

Victoria Kiernan  43:01

And if you haven't already, I definitely recommend going back and listening to that episode with Iga. She spoke very openly didn't she about her experience at the French Open? And Piotr said actually, that wasn't a quick rise, but from 15, to winning Roland Garros at 19. I would say that's really, really quick. And yeah, just she spoke very openly to you. So that's episode 114. So control the controllables.co.uk forward slash 114. And another great lesson. And

Daniel Kiernan  43:33

as we've said on the last couple of podcasts, we are very honored to have been nominated for the for the Sports Podcast Awards. Your votes mean a lot to us. We need all the votes we can get. So please see that in the show notes as well. I'm pleased to also announce that our our next guest coming in a week or two is Barbara Schett. I am so excited. Sorry, Barbara. Schett Eagle Eagle. Sorry, Barbara. Sorry.

Victoria Kiernan  44:07

You can't you can't blame them. You can't blame the spelling there. Sorry,

Daniel Kiernan  44:11

Barbara. Schett Eagles. Now that she's been married for only 12 or 13 years. I don't know how I've not picked that one up. But yeah, it's what great guests she is, you know coming number seven in the world. Big big commentator, presenter on Eurosport, many of you if not all of you will know Barbara and she is going to be a great guest. I have no doubt. So lots more exciting things on the horizon. Hope you are well wherever you are in the world. You know keep playing tennis, keep smiling, keep staying healthy. But until next time, I'm Dan Kiernan and we are Control the Controllables