Coach Unboxed EP17: Peter Lucassen, now coaching Botic Van de Zandschulp and having coached multiple top 30, 50 and 100 ATP players, as well as top ITF juniors. Peter played professionally and also collegiately at the University of Southern California, helping secure NCAA team championships.
Peter shares his journey from winning teenage years to challenging pros and his eventual transition to college tennis at USC, finding great success. He reflects on becoming a coach as he finished his studies while also starting his own tennis academy in California. Peter highlights his USTA work with some American greats and the building character while taking ownership of your journey. He closes with moving back to Amsterdam, his partnership with Botic and emphasizes family support and team communication in balancing a coaching career and personal life.
About Peter Lucassen: From the Netherlands, Peter Lucassen won the Dutch national championship in 14s and 18s, also reaching world #36 as a junior. He was ranked ATP #541 before accepting an offer to play two years of college tennis at USC. With his team, Peter won the NCAA Division I team championship and then helped the team as an assistant coach in winning two NCAA team championships in 2012, while founding Baseline Tennis Academy.
Now coaching Botic Van de Zandschulp, Peter has coached on tour for over a decade, working with top players including Ryan Harrison (#40), Steve Johnson (#37), Gael Monfils and Hailey Baptiste. He also guided Ernesto Escobedo from early juniors to #67 ATP, also having worked with talents like Fritz, Giron, among many others through the USTA development program. Peter is a proud husband and father of two.
Follow Peter Lucassen on Instagram @petertjelucassen and LinkedIn Peter Lucassen .
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Production: Unbox Sports; Location: Embarc Collective; Music: BongÔMusics; Photo: Felipe Figueiredo
