Fontang & Co. Discuss the Significance of the World Tennis Conference: ‘Inspiration, Knowledge & Guidance’
Premier ATP coaches will come together for the sixth installment of this extraordinary development initiative.
Date: March 17, 2026
Credit: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Felix Auger-Aliassime, the No. 8 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, is coached by Frederic Fontang.
By ATP Staff
Distinguished ATP Tour coaches, including Frederic Fontang, Alberto Castellani, Louis Cayer, Liam Smith, and Claudio Pistolesi, have underscored the World Tennis Conference’s (WTC) expanding value as an essential educational hub in the sport.
As the event marks its sixth edition, prominent coaching figures have voiced their commitment to shaping tennis’s future by connecting elite coaches, retired players, and sports science authorities globally.
Scheduled from March 26-29, WTC6 is a four-day virtual conference that provides unparalleled access to insights typically dispersed across various platforms.
“Ongoing education is vital for fostering diverse knowledge and maintaining mental adaptability,” stated Fontang, who coaches No. 8 ranked Felix Auger-Aliassime. “Every coach should exemplify this by broadening their expertise and surrounding themselves with knowledge. Participating in WTC6 can provide invaluable inspiration, insights, and guidance for every coach.”
The conference has steadily enhanced its scope and prestige, uniting some of the leading voices in professional tennis. Castellani, President of the Global Professional Tennis Coach Association (GPTCA), believes this growth reflects a broader dedication to professional advancement and collaboration within the sport.
“As the GPTCA President, I’m thrilled to see how WTC elevates the quality of tactical, technical, mental, physical, and cultural presentations each year,” remarked Castellani. “With over 64 speakers this year, including numerous former Top 15 players and elite coaches, it’s a true honor to witness their contributions.”
Join us on the official World Tennis Conference website: “Dream big. Coach better.”
The exchange of knowledge is a hallmark of this event. Leading coaches from the ATP Tour share their experiences at the pinnacle of the sport alongside experts in performance science, analytics, and player development.
Louis Cayer, a renowned doubles specialist coach who has worked with several British players, including current Doubles World No. 1 Neal Skupski, emphasizes the importance of staying receptive to new perspectives.
“Lifelong learning keeps our minds open and enhances our coaching methodologies,” Cayer noted. “Each edition of WTC is crucial for fostering connections between coaches and experts, providing invaluable strategies for overall player development, which is essential for cultivating better coaches.”
This year’s edition boasts an exceptional lineup, now including former Doubles World No. 1 Max Mirnyi, along with respected coaching figures like Toni Nadal, Samuel Lopez, Anton Dubrov, and Gilles Cervara.
The event’s global reach is significantly bolstered by its online format, enabling coaches worldwide to learn from leading figures in the sport without the need for travel. Smith, who coaches Jenson Brooksby, believes this accessibility is pivotal for the future of tennis coaching.
“WTC provides an unparalleled opportunity for coaches to learn from some of the world’s most esteemed players, coaches, and educators. It is a game-changer for tennis’s future,” Smith asserted. “The conference unites former ATP and WTA players, coaches, and sports science professionals—a truly extraordinary event for coaching.”
Ex-ATP Tour coach Pistolesi, who has coached talents like Robin Soderling and Simone Bolelli, believes that openness and collaboration are the hallmarks of successful coaches.
“Being a great coach involves sharing ideas, constantly learning, and embracing new concepts, as every top coach understands that sharing facilitates growth,” Pistolesi expressed. “WTC exemplifies the rationale behind the success of many leading coaches in the industry.”
At its core, the event’s vision is rooted in the philosophy of development and collaboration. Initiated by high-performance specialist Fernando Segal, the conference aims to foster robust coaching ecosystems that ultimately benefit players and the sport as a whole.
“Our mission at the World Tennis Conference is to unite leaders who acknowledge that effective development structures prioritize people over performance,” said Segal. “Through interconnections among top coaches, leaders, and scientists, we’re creating powerful ecosystems: Better systems yield better coaches, who in turn develop exceptional players, elevating the culture and appreciation of tennis.”
“The development of players is a significant responsibility, and it starts with superior education. WTC embodies a genuine passion for tennis.”
As we approach this sixth edition, the message from tennis’s preeminent coaches is emphatic: in an increasingly intricate high-performance landscape, the quest for knowledge remains one of tennis’ most critical competitive edges.
