Coach Spotlight: Edgar Spungin Tennis Coach & High-Performance Specialist

Kicking off 2026, we are delighted to welcome Edgar Spungin tennis coach as our very first Coach Spotlight of the year. Born in Estonia, raised in Spain, and now based in Germany, Edgar brings a truly international perspective to player development, high-performance coaching, and long-term athlete growth.

Please tell our readers a little about you and your career in tennis so far

Thank you very much, Mark, and Happy New Year to you too. It is truly an honour to be selected as the first Coach Spotlight of 2026 and I am very grateful for the opportunity.

I was born in Estonia, raised in Spain where I started playing tennis, and I am now based in Germany. I have dedicated my career to helping players develop the right way by combining strong technical foundations, intelligent training structures, and a long-term performance mindset.

Working across junior development, competitive adults, and performance players has allowed me to see how powerful the right coaching approach can be, especially when it comes to rebuilding technique and building confidence. I am excited for what 2026 will bring and thankful to be part of a community that values high-quality coaching and continuous improvement.

You have lived, coached and played in several countries. Which destination has shaped you the most?

Without any doubt, my favourite destination in my coaching journey so far is Spain.

Spain is where I was raised, where I started playing tennis, and where my coaching identity was truly formed. The culture of daily hard work, high-volume training, strong fundamentals, and mental toughness stays with you for life.

The climate allows players to train outdoors almost year-round, which builds consistency, resilience, and a strong physical base. Nutrition is also a huge part of the Spanish development system. Growing up around fresh food, Mediterranean diets, and proper recovery habits taught me early that performance is built as much in the kitchen as it is on the court. This holistic environment shaped me into the coach I am today.

Can you tell us a bit about tennis in Estonia and some players to watch?

Tennis in Estonia has grown a lot over the past couple of decades and has produced some very inspiring players despite the country’s small size.

The biggest name most people know is Kaia Kanepi, who had a long and impressive WTA career. Another major figure is Anett Kontaveit, who climbed as high as world number two before retiring due to injury, becoming the highest-ranked Estonian player in history.

On the men’s side, Mark Lajal is Estonia’s top current player and is pushing towards the top 150 in the ATP rankings, winning Challenger and ITF titles along the way.

At junior level, Oliver Ojakäär became a US Open junior doubles champion, while young talents such as Elizaveta Anikina are emerging strongly through the ITF junior circuit. She is already producing remarkable results at a very young age.

Overall, Estonia may be small, but it continues to punch above its weight in tennis, supported by solid national structures and events such as the Tallinn Open.

With the Australian Open just weeks away, what are your thoughts on the tournament?

I am really excited about the Australian Open, especially with it being just a couple of weeks away. It is a great way to start the Grand Slam season and gives us an early look at where players are physically and mentally after the off-season.

On the men’s side, players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz headline a fascinating rivalry. Younger names such as Ben Shelton, Joao Fonseca, and Learner Tien could also be in line for breakthrough performances.

On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Świątek, and Coco Gauff lead a very deep field. Players like Amanda Anisimova, Elena Rybakina, Mirra Andreeva, Madison Keys, Jasmine Paolini, and Naomi Osaka are all capable of making strong runs.

Melbourne’s conditions always test fitness and adaptability, making preparation and physical conditioning absolutely key.

Who are you predicting to be the Grand Slam winners this season?

On the men’s side, Jannik Sinner looks extremely strong on hard courts and should be among the favourites, especially given his decision to take a longer off-season and focus on development. Carlos Alcaraz remains his biggest challenger if his movement and shot variety are firing.

Players like Ben Shelton, Joao Fonseca, and Learner Tien could also be capable of breakthrough Slam performances this year.

In the women’s game, Aryna Sabalenka remains one of the most powerful and consistent players and is widely tipped to challenge strongly, particularly in Australia. Iga Świątek is always a threat at every Slam, while Amanda Anisimova could be a dark horse if confidence and physical rhythm align.

You can never rule out players such as Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva, Madison Keys, Jasmine Paolini, or Naomi Osaka over a two-week Grand Slam event.

Are there any changes you would like to see implemented in tennis in 2026?

I would not want to change the essence of tennis, but I do believe there are areas where the game could evolve to better protect players and improve the quality of competition.

A more intelligent competition calendar with clearer rest periods would help reduce injuries, burnout, and shortened careers. I would also like to see greater consistency in court speeds, particularly on hard courts, to restore tactical variety across different surfaces.

From a match format perspective, experimenting with more time-efficient structures in early rounds or smaller tournaments could reduce physical overload and improve scheduling. Final-set tie-break consistency would also help.

Finally, I would love to see more emphasis on education for both players and coaches, especially around load management, equipment choices, and long-term athlete development. Sustainability of careers needs to be a priority.

What is next for you in 2026?

2026 is a very exciting year for me. My main focus is to continue growing as a high-performance coach and to be involved in more transformation projects with motivated players who are ready to commit to a structured, long-term development process.

I am exploring opportunities that allow me to combine elite coaching, tournament travel, performance optimisation, injury prevention, and equipment customisation. Beyond individual results, I also want to contribute more to coach education by sharing knowledge, mentoring younger coaches, and helping raise standards within the profession.

Ultimately, my aim is simple. Keep learning, keep challenging myself, and make a meaningful impact on every player and coach I work with.

Quick Fire

Sporting idol: Novak Djokovic
Favourite quote: “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”
If not tennis coaching: Sports performance and biomechanics
Dinner guests: Positive, growth-minded people
First coach: A very funny Argentinian gentleman
Other sports followed: Most of them
Handedness: Ambidextrous (plays right-handed)
Favourite food: Nothing beats home cooking

Thanks very much, Edgar, for sharing your journey and insights. We are delighted to have you as a member of the SportsProsConnect platform and look forward to seeing where your next destination takes you.

You can find more about Edgar on his SPC profile:
https://sportsprosconnect.com/profiles/edgarspungin