Teaching Tennis Around The World
I have been coaching tennis all over the world for 25 years – from beginners to high-performance players – in France (2000-2008), USA (2009-2013) and Australia (2014-current).
“Damien, clearly the master of the importance of attention in tennis. Together we put together drills for my son Perry that showed immediate positive results. Fantastic coach. Caring quality human being!”
Perry
Perry Jr. is two times “Little Mo” US NATIONAL TENNIS CHAMPION (10-11)
“I always look forward to be on the court with Damien. He always keeps it simple and fun. I used to be really frustated with my mistakes, but know I know what to do and feel confident on the court. I know my game!”
Aleks
Victoria Tennis Team
Melbourne, Australia
DIV 1 US COLLEGE PLAYER – UTAH
“I used to be so helpless during tight tennis matches when things were not going my way. Damien has taught me how to overcome those negative emotions and body languages. Now, I have more self-confidence and have better control on my behaviour than ever before on the court.”
Cassandra
DIV 1 US COLLEGE PLAYER, YOUNGSTONE UNIVERSITY
Speaking at the Major Tennis Conferences
I have presented the pioneer findings on attention, vision and flow at the ITF Tennis Science & Tech at Wimbledon in 2008, Swiss Tennis conference (2008), the Australian Open Coaches’ Conference in 2014 and 2018.
Tennis and Anticipation – AO 2014 Presentation
Mental Trainer and Mentor for Elite Athletes
Since I’ve started to work with Mental Training Inc., I work one-on-one locally and worldwide with high-perfomance athletes in major sports including tennis, swimming, UFC, or golf.
“I started working with Damien 4 weeks before my first World Title fight. His work is simple and effective. He gets your mind ready for the worst situation. It was easy for me to be ready mentally before my fight.”
Tarec Saffiedine
UFC, MMA WORLD CHAMPION
“Damien’s studies and teachings have proven to be effective in developing strength and most importantly awareness that is oftentimes muted by outside distractions. He helped me to break down the barriers that have prevented me from reaching my full potential.”
Kim Vandenberg
OLYMPIC SWIMMER, USA
Invited Seminars and Talks
I am very fortunate and grateful to travel the world and have the opportunity to share my passion. Here are some place I had the chance to work, teach and/or speak
High Performance Consultant
In a project lead by Samsung and Optus Olympics – called ‘Performance Enhancing Music’, as scientific director I have overseen the research and testing of athletes. With no fans in Tokyo, Samsung and Optus’ project was to show our support without even being there. We brought together science and art to create audio tracks designed to enhance athlete’s performances.
Media
VOGUE Australia
“Words often feel inadequate to describe the quasi-mystical state of being in the Zone, Damien’s Back to the Zone remarkably achieves a new level of understanding it insightfully using the voices of those who experienced it, blending them as in a Bach’s fugue, as in a collective jazz improvisation. Reading this book, we feel closer to it, we feel it.”
Marco Iacoboni
Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Director of the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Lab at Brain Mapping CenteR, UCLA
Author of ‘Mirroring People: The Science of Empathy and How We Connect with Others’
“Damien is comfortable wearing many hats: scientist, philosopher, mental trainer, attention expert, and elite-level tennis coach. His tireless investigation of flow continues to shine a light on this extraordinary experience of human peak performance we call “The Zone.” Many thanks, Damien”.
Scott Ford
Co-founder of EVOLUTIONary SPORTs COLLECtIVE, TENNIS COACH, AUTHOR and FLOW Expert
Unique Training in Physics, Sport Sciences and Neurosciences
In parrallel to physics and a postdoc at the NASA/Caltech Jet Propulsion Lab, I conducted research in sport sciences and neurosciences. The latest on anticipation being featured in the reference book, ‘Human Motor Control’.
complete bio
TECH – INNOVATION
Start-up Founder
I am the co-founder of Ultra Sync Sports – ultrasyncsports.com – the first platform measuring and displaying fans and audiences’ emotions. I’ve created UVIBES, a revolutionary tool to capture individual and group emotional responses and vibes. Check it out – uvibes.com.au
UVIBES ULTRA SYNC
Author
Back to the Zone- Sport and Inner Experiences has been first published in France where it was nominated top 5 best sport books. In 2012, Breakaway Books, NY published the English version. Now, I am working on the Tennis Master System, the first book of a long series focusing on Tennis.
“Back to the Zone” is a must read for any athlete wanting to gain that extra edge to take them to the top in any given sport or hobby. An excellent read, interesting and informative with simple instructions on reaching your potential. Hugely recommended for artists and performers or anyone wanting to achieve mental clarity.”
Freya Prumm
PRO SURFER, ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR, Australia
“Every athlete must go beyond; transcend the barriers of pain, mind and fear. Here, they reach a holy land within themselves that gives the athlete the gift and power of feeling oneness and connectedness. Every athlete and person has the ability to experience this grand unity and I applaud anyone who reads this book and is inspired to allow this true and natural experience for themselves.”
Christophe Pinna
2000 KARATE WORLD CHAMPION, FRANCE
Teaching Mental Skills to Tennis Players
Certified Mental Trainer with Mental Training Inc. and former director of Vida Mind (mental training program for Vida Tennis and its 12+ venues and high-schools), I have taught the fundamental mental skills for sport and life to young tennis players. Since 2014, I’ve run clinics on tennis and mental skills at Xavier College, Trinity Grammar, Dingley Tennis Academy, Nothing Hill Tennis, Glen Iris, Essendon, Altona and many more.
article: what is mental toughness
“Damien coaches so well. He really gets to know your child. He spends time with parents, liaises with coaches, he plays tennis, watches matches & then is able individualise specific strategies & techniques to get the mental edge both on & off court. His dedication & support is amazing. I am certainly seeing changes in my son since he’s been working with Damien. Mental training really works.”
Virginia
Melbourne, AUstralia
“Playing College Tennis is tough both physically and mentally. Damien helped me to stay focused on my game, manage my emotions and develop a clear mind so needed in competition.”
Piotr
DIV 1 US COLLEGE PLAYER, CHICAGO
Tennis Research
It all started with a simple observation: Roger Federer doesn’t watch/track the ball after the contact with his racquet. Then, it all got crazy! A careful analysis of photos and video revealed that this feature wasn’t so unique and was the mark of most of the very best players – past and present.
learn more
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“It is excellent work, relevant and practical. It reflects much of my teaching philosophy from a technical, tactical and psychological perspectives.”
Nick Saviano
USA National Coach
Former
Director of Coaching for Men’s Tennis, Director of Coaching Education & Sport Science
“Damien, you are right on target and have a wonderful opportunity to help tennis players.”
Vic Braden
TEACHING Legend & international Hall of Fame
« ‘Fixation’ has now become a new word in my staff’s coaching vocabulary! »
Wayne Elderton
Former Head of Tennis Canada Coaching Development and Certification, British Columbia, Canada
Featured in Tennis Books and Websites
You can find my work on tennis, attention and vision on several websites such as TennisPlayer.net and books such as Tennis Meditation (Carl Frankel), or El Ojo Director (Paul Dorochenko).
Anticipation: A New Approach
From the observation of the best tennis players, I’ve discovered a complete new way to understand anticipation. The results of this tennis research have raised the curiosity of the best researchers in the fields of cognition, vision and attention. I am thankful for the researchers at USC, PennState, UC Louvain (Belgique), Orleans University (France), Melbourne University, or Victoria University who invited me to share my discovery and open the discussion. It is still a work in progress, and few research teams (Florida, New Zeland) are starting to investigate the link between this new anticipation and performance.
learn more
“Congratulations on the great work you are doing. You are way ahead of the curve.”
Dr. Fran Pirozzolo
neuroscientist and sports psychologist, Expert in leadership and talent development. FORMER Mental Trainer for the Texas Rangers, USA
“The inference Dr. Lafont has reached is fascinating for basic research in cognitive neuroscience and related disciplines.”
Prof. David Rosenbaum
Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, USA
Articles in the ITF Coaching Journal
ITF Coaching and Science Review
article 1Keep your Eye off the ball! – A controversial title at the time! It is still controversial as the main moto of the vast majority of coaches is to “Watch the ball!” at all time. Two short articles showing it’s not that simple!
article 2
Competing
I’ve been playing single and doubles until I came to Australia in 2014. Reaching 4 times the play-offs of the Team University Championship in France. Competing at the National level with my club team, and reaching 70 finals (W/L: 43/27) in Open Tournaments.
Co-creator of the Tennis Master System
A New and Revolutionary System for Players and Coaches
At the Country Tennis Academy we apply the Tennis Master System (TMS) which allows teacher, student and parents to be on the same page.
learn more about TMS
My Tennis Mentors and Models
They are some of the greatest teachers and mentors. They are true legends of the game and I’m still learning a lot from their amazing experience and insights.
Desmond Oon
Desmond is a tennis legend! He is a Master Professional of the United States Professional Tennis Association, the highest and most prestigious credential accorded to teaching professionals. He has been an international coach, seminar leader and speaker with over 45 years’ experience. He is widely recognized as the first tennis coach to have successfully blended Eastern and Western sport psychology. Desmond and I co-authored ‘Conversation with a Zen Tennis Master’, product of our long meetings and conversations in Redondo Beach, CA. It’s a great honor to be Desmond’s friend.
Jean Brechbuhl
Jean introduced sports at the University of Geneva. At that time he was the only person having a licence in giving lessons in sports. He headed the department during thirty-three years. He was also three times Swiss Champion. During his career he wrote 3 books covering teaching of tennis and introducing new methods. He was president of the Swiss Tennis Association of tennis teachers. He stopped playing tennis at the age of 92! Jean offered me his insights on the game and supported my research on tennis and anticipation and saw the great potential to explore this new field.
Edgar Giffenig
Edgar Giffenig is a former National Coach in the US, Germany and Mexico with more than 40 years of experience in competitive tennis. Edgar is the author of “Developing High Performance Tennis Players” which provides an in-depth analysis and explanation of every important aspect of the game.
Edgar’s second book “Play Tennis with Passion” is the perfect companion to any player looking for simple practical yet effective tips and ideas to improve his/her game.
www.giffenigtennis.com.
www.tennisgate.com
My Favourite Tennis Books
Here are some of the best tennis books
My Favourite Sport Books
If you love sport, learning process, mastery, flow, here are the essentials!
