He Quit Tennis, Was Hitting With Sharapova as a Favour — Now He's Coaching a Top WTA Player | Tom Hill

Tom Hill never planned to be a tennis coach. He finished college, put his rackets in the wardrobe, and was planning law school. Then a chance encounter at a bar in Santa Monica led to a hitting session with Maria Sharapova. Then a call from Danielle Collins — ranked 250 in the world at the time. Eight months later she was Top 30. Then came Maria Sakkari. And six years, a Top 3 ranking and countless close-misses later, Tom is one of the most respected coaches on the WTA tour.In this episode, Tom joins Caroline Garcia and Borja for an unfiltered look inside professional tennis coaching:How he accidentally became a tennis coach — via Sharapova, a bar in Santa Monica and a visa expiryGoing from 0 coaching experience to taking Danielle Collins from 250 to Top 30 in 8 monthsThe real story of coaching Maria Sakkari to World No.3 — and why they eventually parted waysHow to handle a player who's losing their confidence — what you say, and what you never sayThe match point Maria had against Kvitova at Roland Garros — and how that one moment changed everythingWhy he never sets ranking goals — and what he focuses on insteadThe truth about travelling 45 weeks a year with a player and why he burned outHow to coach two players at once — and why it only works if roles are crystal clearWhat coaches like Wim Fissette get right that most coaches get completely wrongWhy winning junior Grand Slams means absolutely nothing for your professional careerTimestamps:03:30 The bar in Santa Monica — the conversation that changed everything04:30 Hitting with Maria Sharapova at IMG Academy07:00 How Danielle Collins found him — and why that hour changed his life10:30 Falling in love with coaching — helping players become their best12:00 Taking Collins from 250 to Top 30 in 8 months — with zero coaching experience13:30 "Me and you against the world" — starting out with no reputation15:00 The Instagram post that led to Maria Sakkari16:00 Working under Thomas Johansson — still messaging him once a week18:00 Imposter syndrome as the youngest coach on tour19:00 The hardest part of being a coach — 45 weeks a year on the road20:30 Never setting ranking goals — why he focuses on the process22:00 How Maria went from 30 to No.3 — four years of consistent improvement29:30 "The best skill a coach can have is becoming what the player needs"31:00 Why great coaches with one player often fail with the next32:30 Can you be friends with your players?34:00 The coach-player disagreement — what the coach sees vs what the player feels37:00 How to handle a player after a devastating loss40:30 How to plan a schedule — training weeks vs tournament weeks43:00 More hours on court vs smart hours — what actually works45:30 Why they stopped working together — and why coming back was an easy yes47:30 Bringing in consultant coaches — threat or opportunity?49:00 Two coaches at once: why roles must be crystal clear50:00 Yannick Sinner's team — why Simone and Darren work so well together51:30 The hitting partner debate — when do top players need one?53:30 Why men rarely travel with hitting partners54:30 Managing a big team — physio, fitness coach, psychologist and more55:30 Every person in the team has their specialty57:00 "If you're happy off the court, you play well on the court"59:00 Parents as coaches — when it works, when it doesn't1:00:00 Caroline opens up about her dad as her coach1:01:00 Why coaches can't have emotions — the hardest part of the job1:03:00 Would he ever coach on the ATP tour?1:04:00 His advice for young players: build the right style, not the best results1:06:00 Why winning junior Grand Slams means nothing for your pro career💊 THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY IM8IM8 Daily Essentials is the all-in-one supplement Caroline uses on tour — 99 clinically dosed ingredients covering gut health, energy, joint support and longevity in a single daily sachet. No stack needed.🔗 Try IM8 and get 10% off your first order → im8health.com/discount/TIC (use code TIC at checkout) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.