This is an interview with Sandy Mittleman, the founder and CEO of MLJ Group, a full service boutique management agency he formed in 2011. He is also a coaching veteran of 22 years with a focus on building the complete player. Sandy has worked at the ITF, WTA and ATP levels respectively. You can reach him at sandy@themljgroup.com

How did you start coaching tennis?

I began coaching tennis at the Bollittieri Tennis Academy after training there and then competing on the circuit. I did not finish university (which was a decision based on an opportunity to train with Nick) so when I decided to move on from competing, Nick and his team offered me the opportunity to coach at the academy.

You started to cooperate with Nick Bollettieri in 1991. I assume you should know a lot regarding his academy. How Nick was able to produce so many great players in a relatively short period? And why Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy does not produce great players anymore?

I have a fairly sizeable knowledge of the academy, how it functioned then versus now. In my opinion, Nick’s greatest gift as a coach is to motivate each individual player based on their specific personality and game style. I think in coaching, often times you can be considered as good or not as good as the players you often have. Very rarely is a world class coach (world famous coach) the first coach to ever work with any player. These coaches are often the coaches who receives products (players) who are already formed and developed, but the world famous coach receives the credit for developing them. I believe the academy just functions much differently now from back then.

Back then it was Nick Bollitieri Tennis Academy with approximately 270 full time students training. Now, it is IMG Sports Academies with a small percentage of the athletes being tennis players and the remainder coming from the other core sports. The world class tennis players that train at the academy are there for a very short time and typically the IMG academy staff has nothing to do with them or their development. The word development means a lot of things to many different coaches.

What should be done to return American tennis for the top? Is it possible?

I don’t think this is very complicated. The emphasis needs to be on how the players train and their mentalities. My long time friend and a former member of my coaching team, Gabe Jaramillo, the co founder and Director of Club Med Academies in Port St Lucie, Florida puts the emphasis on the structure of the players training. I firmly believe that the way players train is far more important than what they train on.

Another thing to consider is that for a generation, American tennis had Sampras, Agassi, Courier, Chang (27 grand slams) Martin (a couple of finals) (Australia lost to Sampras) (US Open lost to Agassi)  Malivai Washington (Wimbledon final) David Wheaton (Grand Slam Cup Champion)  Sampras, Agassi, Courier, Chang all lost in other Grand Slam finals apart from what they won as well. That alone is a tough generation to be compared too.

I think its possible for an American player to reach the top again, but its tough with the European players in particular being more hungry and directed from an early age. Isner is an enigma. He has been in the top 10 largerly because he is 6ft 10 and can serve like he does. He is a tough out for any of the top players for that reason alone. Querrey is a good top 20 player, big serve, big forehand, but I don’t believe is made for the big time (top 5-10). I think this topic can take a long time to discuss with many ideas and details. (sorry for such a long drawn out answer)

 
From 2005 you started to work with young talented players like Mary Gambale and Camila Giorgi. What exactly do you do for rising stars?

Yes, 2005-06 I worked with Mary Gambale. With Mary I spent most of my time focusing on three parts, mainting her skill set which got her to #1 in the US under 18 when she was 14 years old, developing a professional style of game within the skill set she had and helping her make the transition to becoming a professional player both on and off the court, and looking for resources to help make the transition as seemless and smooth as possible. (the other hat I wore was constantly finding good practice partners as being in Massachusetts at that time did not provide a good amount of those). There were plenty of guys to just hit with, but not plenty of players that could really be specific with ball control, speed control, run enough, and push Mary.

In January of 2010 I brought Camila and her father Sergio to Boston for 2 weeks to train with me so I could give them my opinion of what I thought about Camila’s game. At the time she came to Boston she was just turned 17 years old, had just won a $50k in Toronto indoors and went from WTA 500 to the 200’s. Following the first hour on the court with her I knew immediately she was capable of the top 10. She had natural power on both sides, forehand and backhand, she had great legs, great strength, technically very sound, she took the ball incredibly early, and amazing focus and discipline. My first impression was she was fearless. With Camila, the responsibilities were abundant. They lived with me, so my responsibilities was the entire day of eating, training on court, off court, rest, transportation, looking for sponsors and financial backing. To manage a player is a full time job, I was doing that in addition to my responsibilities of being Head Coach of the Academy at the club.

With Camila, on the court, it was about taking her strengths which she had plenty, and learning a pro style game, but finding a good balance of her natural aggression with a consistent control. With Camila, I always felt like her upside was at the highest of levels, grand slam contender, but the problem was her low side could be losing first round to a player she should beat comfortably. Once I left my position in Boston, my job with Camila was the same, only my time required from the actual management side off the court became quite large.

You used to train and represent Camila Giorgi for more than 3 years. She is #80 in the world now, and she showed a very good play at last US Open. She beat Caroline Wozniacki and lost to Roberta Vinci in the quarterfinals. Tell me please about your cooperation with Camila and your opinion about her future in pro tennis?

I think that I had a very good relationship with Camila, her father Sergio and the entire family. I did a lot of positive work for Camila as an athlete and person. There was a lot of growth an advancement during our partnership. In my opinion, if and when Camila gets the right balance and becomes consistent in her good level of play, she is a top 5 player and a potential grand slam contender.

How important for the professional athlete to have a good agent? What is a job of the agent?

I think its very important for professional athletes to have a good agent/manager. An agents role can be quite diverse pending the particular agent, the athlete, potentially even the particular company. The role of the agent can be varied daily from scheduling, securing sponsors, managing sponsors, managing the athletes portfolio of sponsors, creating and developing the athletes image media, handling equipment needs, travel plans, financial needs, making sure the athletes development team is functioning professionally and creating results, being an ear and support, handling the athletes big events so the organization is what it needs to be, and finally, to help the athlete create professional results and personal business growth and development for the future.

Two years ago you launched your own boutique management agency. Are you going to compete with IMG and Lagardère Group?

I believe there is always a place in the industry for boutique style agencies who’s focus is on personalized service, developing the athlete, managing their respective needs and targeting athletes under specific criteria.

What about your advices for prospective young tennis players who want to go on pro level?

My advice would be more subject to the individual. This just means that depending on the player, their respective age, boy or girl, physical build, strengths, mental and emotional stability as well as their ability to manage pressure and expectation.

If my advice was requested and I thought the tennis player had the racket skill, my advice would be to make sure you surround yourself with a great team completely dedicated to your success and be prepared to give your passion, focus and soul to your development and career.

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