Grega Zemlja Tennis Coach: From ATP Tour to Coaching an ITF Junior Talent
Good morning Grega Zemlja, it’s great to have you here today in the interview hot seat! Please tell us a little about yourself and your career in tennis.
Good morning! I started playing tennis when I was seven, but it was actually my second sport behind alpine skiing. At 11, I decided to fully commit to tennis, and from that moment, it became the central focus of my life. Through many ups and downs, highs and lows, I reached the highest level of the sport, and I’m incredibly proud of everything I have achieved in my career.
Thanks, Grega! It’s fantastic to have you as a member of the SPC – Tennis & Padel platform! Even more so, seeing that you have recently been recruited for a role working with an ITF junior player! Can you tell us about your new role?
Yes, thanks for having me. I recently arrived in China to start working with a Top 100 ITF junior player, and I’m excited to begin this journey. It’s an incredible opportunity to work with an international player who has the potential to reach a very high level.
At the start, it’s crucial to establish a system that works—building strong connections between the player and coach, coach and fitness trainer, and coach and parents. Careful planning is also essential—deciding when and how much to practice, both on and off the court.
It’s a great pleasure to say that you are the 500th coach that we have placed in a job at SportsProsConnect! How did you originally hear about SPC?
Congratulations on reaching this milestone—that’s a fantastic achievement! I’m proud to be number 500! I actually discovered SportsProsConnect while browsing through your profile on Facebook. I kept seeing job opportunities pop up on my news feed, and that led me to check out the SPC website. It had a lot of great opportunities, so I decided to give it a go.
That’s great, Grega! I remember meeting you in Slovenia years ago before we rebranded to SportsProsConnect! Since you joined, what are your thoughts on the platform, and how could it be improved?
Yes, Mark, I was really happy to talk to you back then. It definitely helps to know someone personally—it made trusting the platform and system much easier.
I believe there’s always room for improvement, but honestly, I don’t have any specific suggestions right now. Everything has worked really well for me so far!
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How did you find the process from signing up on the platform to completing your profile and applying for jobs?
Everything was quick and smooth. Mark, if you remember, you guided me through every step, which made things even easier. When I started applying for jobs, it was a really enjoyable experience with SPC.
What are the next steps between you and your player, Grega? Will you work with him in Slovenia?
We have already agreed on many things, including having a main training base in Slovenia. However, we’ll also travel for training when needed, depending on tournament schedules and available facilities. There are still many details to finalise—including calendars, visas, and nutrition plans—but that’s all part of the process.
Quickfire Round:
- Favourite Colour: Blue
- Best Win: Janko Tipsarevic (former ATP No. 9)
- Football Team Supported: Manchester United
- Favourite Quote: “Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”
- Other Sports Followed: Ice Hockey, Alpine Skiing, Formula 1
- Favourite Grand Slam: Wimbledon
- Height: 185 cm
And finally, who are your tips to win the next Grand Slam at Roland Garros for the men’s and women’s tournaments?
I wish it could be Roger Federer and Justine Henin!
Final Thoughts from Mark:
Congratulations again, Grega, on being the 500th coach placed through SportsProsConnect! It has been a pleasure working with you, and we wish you the very best in your coaching career. We’re excited to see how your new role develops and hope to hear more about your journey soon!
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