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In this Wee Chat we talk to Jose Lambert, current tennis coach at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.  Jose knows the IMG Academy pretty well due to being one of their players in his younger days.  Knowing the culture and expectations it takes to be a player for IMG has helped Jose bring that experience into his own coaching style.  He likes to “walk the walk” in order to serve as a role model for his players not just physically but mentally as well.  Jose recognizes the importance visualization plays in coaching and can help prepare them for anything that may happen during the day.

Lambert has been with the IMG Academy Bollettieri Tennis program for almost thirty-five years. First as a player and then as a coach, Lambert played a major role in the development of the tennis program at IMG Academy. He served as a traveling coach for Monica Seles, Jim Courier, and Tatiana Golovin. He has also worked with other tennis greats like Andre Agassi and Maria Sharapova.

Lambert’s playing days were as impressive as his illustrious coaching career. He was a four-year letter winner at the University of Arkansas and went on to a professional career shortly after. He was ranked on the ATP Tour in singles and doubles for three years.Lambert takes a very personal approach to coaching: “I try to work carefully within an individual’s style of play. It is about producing sound fundamentals and working on the player both mental and physically.”