ATP Player Mentoring Programme celebrates closing session in Monte-Carlo

Monte-Carlo

ATP Player Mentoring Programme celebrates closing session in Monte-Carlo

Programme has helped players learn from industry-leading experts in business

Valeria Maselli Players and mentors in the ATP Player Mentoring Programme spend time together in Monte-Carlo. By ATP Staff

While playing careers eventually come to an end on the ATP Tour, tennis stars can continue to compete in the business world long after they leave the court. The ATP Player Mentoring Programme is designed to make that transition as easy as possible.

The first edition of the programme, which began last year at Wimbledon, marks its conclusion this week with a closing session at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. Connecting industry-leading business experts with ATP Tour players, the 10-month programme was designed to educate players, expand their professional networks and support them with potential career paths in their lives after tennis.

The structure consisted of in-person sessions at both Wimbledon and Monte-Carlo as well as a minimum of seven one-on-one sessions between players and mentors. Three online workshops were also included in a hybrid setup that consisted of at least 18 hours of learning.

"As a young entrepreneur, you have a lot of questions and roadblocks on your adventure," said Robin Haase, one of 15 ATP Tour players to participate. "To have the possibility to learn from entrepreneurs who have accomplished many great achievements is simply amazing... It was nice to see how experts think and how you can use your way of thinking in sports as well as in business."

"My main goal in enrolling in the programme was to get a better understanding of life after tennis — to explore what opportunities could exist in different industries, based on my skills," added Jamie Murray. "Peter Norris, my mentor, did a great job explaining the kind of roles or companies that might be a good fit and how my skill set could translate beyond the court."

Joining Haase and Murray in the programme were Jan-Lennard Struff, Michael Venus, Daniel Altmaier, Taro Daniel, Hugo Nys, Zizou Bergs, Yannick Hanfmann, Kimmer Coppejans, Arthur Rinderknech, Matwe Middelkoop, Alexis Galarneau, Austin Krajicek and Aleksandar Vukic.

The industry-leading mentors participating in the programme included Karl Altenburg, Oli Barnett, Chris Beltran, James Cluskey, Sachin Dev Duggal, Anthony Goonetilleke, Kurt Long, Fernando Martin del Agua, Denise Melone, Ander Michelena, Eric Murciano, Peter Norris, Geoff Robinson and Stephen Twaddell.

Photo Credit: Valeria Maselli

Hear more from participating players, who shared glowing reviews of their experiences:

Austin Krajicek: "My perspective has shifted in the sense of opening my eyes to the investment world. I have also seen how different mentalities and landscapes in Europe and the United States are when it comes to investing. Ander connected me with new investors in the United States who will be able to help with future opportunities that I am sure will come.

"I won’t be able to play forever, so I hope I can leverage those connections and the doors open that my mentor was able to provide me."

Taro Daniel: "My initial goal was to learn practical tips for increasing income streams so that I can have multiple sources of them. Another goal was to be able to be connected to people like my mentor, to just broaden my network and perspective.

"I have already invested in a franchise trying to spread to Japan and will continue to look for similar opportunities that are aligned with my interests."

Kimmer Coppejans: "Great journey and experience. I felt that the programme shifted my vision and my thinking about the future and my transition... My perspective has shifted as a result of the programme, revealing that there are many more options to explore beyond tennis than simply stepping into a coaching role.

"The workshops and my mentor James have made me believe more in myself and how all these years on Tour have provided me with exceptional qualities and tools that businesses and people are looking for in today’s world to succeed."

Alexis Galarneau: "The programme shifted my perspective on how I approach my career. I’ve learned the importance of looking beyond on-court performance, considering off-court opportunities and long-term career planning.

"I’ll focus on applying the strategies for managing relationships with my team while also exploring opportunities that can complement my tennis career, like partnerships, sponsorships, and further professional development outside the sport."

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