ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 45 of the ParentingAces Podcast! High-performance tennis is not about doing more—it’s about knowing what actually matters. Former national coach Erik Kortland breaks down the real difference between regular junior development and the environments that prepare kids for the US Open, college tennis, and the pro path.
Erik is a former lead national coach who has worked in player development, college tennis, and sports marketing, and he currently helps players with development, equipment, and the business side of the sport. His perspective is especially valuable if you’re raising a junior player, coaching high-performance athletes, or trying to make smart decisions about the next step in a tennis career.
What does a player need before they can compete on the biggest stage? Erik shares how he helped guide Thea Frodin, Keaton Hance, and other rising players through pressure moments, training blocks, court-specific prep, and the mental demands of moving from juniors to elite competition. He also explains why movement matters more than most parents realize, and why the best young athletes are often the ones who love the sport, can adapt, and are surrounded by a team that stays aligned.
You’ll discover:
- The ACE framework Erik uses to build elite habits: attitude, commitment, and effort
- Why process goals matter more than results, especially in junior tennis
- How to spot real potential without chasing size or hype
- When a training block is more valuable than another tournament
- Why parents, coaches, strength trainers, and mental skills coaches all need to be on the same page
- What families should know before signing NIL or sponsorship deals
We also get into the overlooked truth about college tennis: D1 is not the only path. Erik and Lisa unpack the differences between D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and the pro route, plus the financial realities families face when deciding whether to stay in school or turn professional.
You can contact Erik at ekortland@gmail.com. Be sure to follow him on Instagram at https://instagram.com/ekortland.
As always, Lisa is available for one-to-one consults to work with you as you find your way through junior tennis and the college recruiting process. You can purchase and book online through our website at https://parentingaces.com/shop/category/consult-with-lisa-stone/.
If you’re so inclined, please share this – and all our episodes! – with your fellow tennis players, parents, and coaches. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app. Please be sure to check out our logo’d merch as well as our a la carte personal consultations in our online shop.
CREDITS
Intro & Outro Music: Morgan Stone aka STØNE
Audio & Video Editing: Lisa Stone
