Tamara Zidanšek is not your average WTA pro. She’s thoughtful, honest, and not afraid to pull back the curtain on the mental, physical, and emotional chaos that defines the life of a touring tennis player.
You might know her from her breakout run to the 2021 French Open semifinals, or her title in Lausanne that same year. But beyond the results, Tamara has a lot to say about the highs, lows, and everything in between that come with chasing a career in professional tennis.
Love-Hate with Tennis
Tamara’s relationship with tennis is exactly what you’d expect from someone who’s lived it 24/7 for most of her life: passionate but complicated.
“You invest everything into the sport, and when results don’t come, it gets hard. The love turns into pressure, and you start forgetting why you started.”
The grind, the expectations, and the emotional swings are constant. And the career span? Short. That pressure to “make it count” weighs heavy.
Life in a Suitcase
Unlike many other sports, tennis demands constant travel. For Tamara, the airports and hotel rooms are part of the job.
“Travel takes more out of you than practice. It’s physically and mentally draining.”
Still, she tries to steal moments of joy—exploring new cities, hitting local cafes—when time and energy allow.
Mental Health & Coaching Dynamics
Mental health in tennis has become more openly discussed in recent years, and Tamara is glad for it.
“We’re all living different lives, even if we meet on the same tour. Having people around who see you, not just the player, is crucial.”
That includes coaches. For Tamara, the coach-player relationship is more than tactical—it’s personal.
“You spend more time with your coach than your family. There has to be chemistry. Inside jokes help!”
Currently coach-less, she’s embracing the chance to reset, go back to her tennis roots, and build her game on her terms.
Growth, Confidence & Journaling
Tamara is a big believer in process over panic. She journals regularly—two positives, one improvement—after each practice or match.
“Journaling is like closing a chapter. Reflect, reset, move on.”
She also acknowledges the importance of confidence—but notes that it has to be earned.
“If you’re not physically or mentally ready, don’t expect to win. It’s okay to lose a few as part of the process.”
The Puzzle of Tennis
What keeps her hooked? The complexity. The mental, physical, tactical, and emotional pieces all need to click.
“You can be fit and dialed in, but still lose. Tennis is a puzzle. It’s never boring.”
Grass Season & Rediscovery
Despite being known for her clay prowess, Tamara loves grass. Unfortunately, the grass season is short—just a few weeks squeezed between Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Currently, she’s preparing for Wimbledon qualies by returning to her foundation—rebuilding around her topspin forehand and improving physical resilience after nagging injuries.
“It’s nice to remind myself of the game I played when I was 16—simple, instinctive, mine.”
Rankings Pressure vs. Living the Moment
Tamara keeps a healthy distance from rankings obsession, but acknowledges the pressure it brings, especially for players hovering around the top 100 mark.
“You need to be patient. Even if you’re playing great, moving up the rankings takes time.”
And yet, she reminds herself often:
“We forget how good this life is. Years fly by. You have to live the moments, not just chase the next milestone.”
Slovenia, Side Hobbies & Gear Talk
When she’s not on the road, Tamara finds peace at home in Slovenia. She loves to run, chill with a good TV series, and stay grounded.
And yes—she’s a gear nerd too.
- Racquet: Yonex VCORE 100
- Strings: Polytour Rev 1.25mm mains / 1.20mm crosses
- Swingweight: Around 310 unstrung, but experimenting for more racquet speed
She’s tried gut hybrids but prefers full poly for better control and spin.
“It’s about feel. You can’t force what doesn’t suit your game.”
Final Thoughts
Tamara Zidanšek’s story is one of resilience, self-awareness, and evolution. Whether she’s breaking down surface transitions, learning from losses, or navigating tour life without a coach, her journey is a reminder that tennis success isn’t just about strokes and scores—it’s about mindset, balance, and staying true to your game.
Listen to the full podcast for an unfiltered look into Tamara’s world—her growth, gear insights, and why tennis is a game that never stops teaching.
