This week on the Functional Tennis Podcast, Fabio chats with Jonas Eriksson, better known as Tennis Nerd, the go-to voice in the tennis world for rackets.

With the Functional Tennis Racket of the Year competition underway, Fabio and Jonas break down the most talked-about rackets of 2025, what to expect from the 2026 launches, and why so many pros are playing with blacked-out frames. They also dive into Wilson’s upcoming Pure Aero-style spin racket, shifts in pro player trends, and what makes the modern racket scene more competitive than ever.

If you love tennis gear talk, this one’s for you, and if you want info on all the rackets, check them out at Tennis Warehouse Europe and check out Jonas's YouTube account if you want in-depth reviews on the rackets.

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

This week I’m joined once again by Dutch ATP player Jesper de Jong, who has continued his steady rise on the professional circuit.

Since our last chat, Jesper has broken into the top 100, reached his first ATP final at the Swedish Open, and played a key role for the Netherlands in Davis Cup. We talk about what feels different now that he’s inside the top 100, the lessons he’s learned from the tour grind, and how he balances results with enjoying the process. Jesper also shares insights from training blocks in Bali, the unforgettable match that sealed his top 100 spot, and what he’s learned from his girlfriend, a professional speed skater.

If you’re curious about the mindset and habits behind steady, sustainable progress, this episode is a great listen.

Fabio

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

This week on the Functional Tennis Podcast I’m joined once again by Portuguese player Jaime Faria, who continues to make strides on the ATP Tour.

Since our last chat, Jaime has broken into the top 100, won two Challenger titles, and battled through Grand Slam qualifying winning 11 of his last 12 matches and even sneaking into the US Open as a lucky loser. One of the standout moments of his year was facing Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, an experience that gave him a clear view of what it takes to compete with the very best.

In this episode, Jaime shares what he learned from that match, the challenges of staying inside the top 100, the grind of playing qualies, and whether he still enjoys the process as much as he once did.

🔑 Key Topics:

🎾 Lessons from playing Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open

🏆 Breaking into the top 100 and winning Challengers

🚪 Getting into the US Open as a lucky loser

💪 The mental and physical grind of Slam qualifying

🧠 Staying motivated and enjoying the process

A real behind-the-scenes look at the ups and downs of life on tour from one of Portugal’s rising stars.

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