Are Sinner & Alcaraz Showing Us The Best Tennis Level Ever? Exclusive Interview with Kristof Vliegen

Inside the Mind of an ATP Coach | Kristof Vliegen Interview (Part 2)

Kristof Vliegen returns for Part 2 of our deep-dive conversation, and this time we go further — into coaching transitions, modern tactics, mental resilience, and the evolution of elite tennis. From reuniting with Tallon Griekspoor to now working with rising star Alex Michelsen, Kristof gives an honest, analytical look at what it takes to coach at the highest level today.

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A former World No. 30 and ATP finalist, Vliegen has beaten Djokovic, Hewitt, and Safin, remains undefeated against Wawrinka, and has guided players like Zizou Bergs and Tallon Griekspoor to career highs. In this episode, he blends tour wisdom with modern insight — no clichés, no shortcuts.

🎾 Inside the Episode

• Coaching journey update — reuniting with Griekspoor, winning Mallorca, and moving on

• Working with Alex Michelsen — how the partnership started and where it’s heading • What Kristof looks for when choosing a player to coach

• Managing coaching transitions in the middle of a season

• Balancing match load, training intensity, and recovery for young players

• How on-court coaching has changed preparation and in-match tactics

• Sinner’s Wimbledon rebound after the Roland Garros heartbreak

• Alcaraz’s response and US Open redemption

• How to even attempt game-planning against Sinner or Alcaraz

• Is anyone close to beating Sinner on indoor hard courts?

• Best surfaces for Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

• Are we watching the highest level of tennis ever played?

• Djokovic’s chances of winning another Slam in 2026

• The rise of Michelsen, Tien, Mensik, and Fonseca

• Who could be the next first-time Grand Slam champion

• Why unforced errors may no longer tell the full story

• Technical changes during the season — including Sinner’s serve and return stance

• Is volleying a lost art? Why second-serve aggression is still rare

• How sport science and data shape modern coaching decisions

• Handling confidence slumps without chasing results

• What match day really looks like for a coach

• The toughest opponent Kristof ever prepared a player to face

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro

0:52 Kristof on Coaching Alex Michelsen

15:45 When are technical changes made for players?

28:00 Kristof’s thoughts on Sinner & Alcaraz

42:10 What is Alcaraz’s best surface?

45:30 Are Sinner & Alcaraz playing the best tennis ever?

48:45 Can Djokovic win 25 in 26?

53:37 What makes the Next Next Gen so good?

58:45 When will the Michelsen & Fonseca Gen compete for Slams on a consistent basis?

1:07:23 What’s going on with the Zverev, Medvedev, Rublev Generation?

1:09:15 Thoughts on Vacherot’s Shanghai run?

1:16:20 Thoughts on the “Season is too long” talk?

1:20:05 Who is gonna be the next new Slam Champion?

1:23:25 Why is volleying a lost art?

1:26:30 Why are players taking more risks on 2nd serve?

1:28:45 Thoughts on analytics in tennis?

1:30:35 How do you deal with players losing confidence & struggling?

1:36:40 What happens on match day for players on the ATP Tour?

1:51:35 Rapid Fire Questions

1:59:43 Check out Part 1 with Kristof Vliegen