After 20 years on the pro tour, reaching a high of No.17 in the world, Claudio Pistolesi moved to Florida to start the
Claudio Pistolesi Enterprise Facility, with a mission to develop culture in tennis and other sports. As a former coach on the pro tour, this seemed like a natural next step for him to share his knowledge with the next generation of players.
Team UTR spoke with Claudio about his new venture, his coaching philosophy and how he uses UTR to help his players achieve.
In 2013, I moved from Italy to Florida, where I founded the Claudio Pistolesi Enterprise Facility in Jacksonville. We work in partnership with the JTCC, which is a great tennis center in Maryland.
After a very long career and 20 years of traveling on the tour, I learned about college tennis as a coach with University of North Florida. I discovered UTR two years ago and realized it was a great pathway for many college tennis players. I think it is revolutionary in tennis.
It is evaluating the player’s level versus the result, which, in my opinion, I saw as a huge difference as a coach. As a coach, I want my players to look at their level regardless of winning or losing. You can always improve your level, regardless of your wins or losses. If you lose, it’s because someone is better than you. If you win, it’s because you played at a high level.
For college coaches in the US, it’s hard to understand the level of European players, and for players, it’s tough to evaluate their own level.
UTR came to help me as a coach talk to players at a higher level – that you can have value even if you lose a match. It’s amazing the message that gives to parents. Generally, they are very happy if their son or daughter wins, but upset if they lose. UTR goes deeper to see what’s happening and shows the reality of tennis. It takes pressure away from young players because even losing matches is valuable, and for wins, it helps them not to get too excited when they win too early. It adds more meaning to the results, tournaments and to the rankings.
Coach and former pro Claudio Pistolesi
"UTR goes deeper to see what’s happening and shows the reality of tennis. It takes pressure away from young players because even losing matches is valuable, and for wins, it helps them not to get too excited when they win too early. It adds more meaning to the results, tournaments and to the rankings."
That is why I am so proud to be close to UTR and partner with them. I’m proud that my company was the first one to organize a UTR event in Europe in Chesterfield, England, where Italian and American players played together based on their UTR. We want to create more of these events in Europe and in America. I am the #1 Fan of UTR!
Brian Gottfried, who is my mentor and a legendary coach, and I work together at the Bolles School in Northern Florida. I made a camp for Italian players who want to reserve a spot in US college tennis. I explained UTR to them and that the first question you get from college coaches here is “What is your UTR?” so they need to work on that.
What is your coaching and training philosophy?
Create a good person first and on this foundation, you try to create a good outlet for tennis players to rise to the highest possible level. We take care of the highest level players the same way as lowest level, because they are people and each level can take good lessons for life from tennis.
I also believe that coaching is tailor-made, just one technique doesn’t exist. There is a way for John, a way for Peter, a way for Mike. Bodies, family history, emotions and feelings are all different – like a dress from a tailor, tennis should be tailor-made. It’s not easy and it takes much more energy, but it is a much better quality of instruction. In our position, you are quality under every aspect, or you don’t get the job – we don’t compromise anything. We know there is the potential to develop good people and in some cases, top players.
Tennis is a tough and difficult sport, so you need education. Maybe wait and take less hours hitting the ball and more time on the books studying. This will make you a better tennis player. There is no need to rush! Take the time to mature – many of the top 100s for men and women are age 27 and 28. When you are 18, 19, 20 – let nature work so you can grow and be mature. You have to take all these things into consideration.
We love hearing from you! We receive inspiring notes from players, coaches, parents and event organizers telling us how UTR has positively impacted their game. In our new series, we’ll share their stories with you and highlight the work they’re doing on and off the court. Tell us how you use UTR! You can send us an email, or share your story with @MyUTR and #MakeTennisBetter.
