This week’s training was all about creativity plus control. Gabrijel’s coach set up a playful session mixing trick shots with longer rallies, pushing him to stay inventive yet consistent.
Highlights across both videos:
Forehand & backhand trick-shot variations
Low-bounce drop volleys and reverse hits
Linking every shot into 5- to 10-ball rallies
📺 Watch both parts here:
• Part 1
• Part 2
Seeing him laugh, improvise, and still chase every ball reminds us that joy is the engine of progress.
In this training session, the focus shifts to something often overlooked — balance.
Coach challenges Gabrijel to freeze after each shot, holding his follow-through and showing whether he’s in control or tipping off. It’s harder than it looks — especially for a 6-year-old — but it builds incredible awareness in movement and positioning.
Later in the session, she feeds alternating forehands and backhands with mini pauses to confirm he’s landing in a stable, ready position. Finally, a 4-ball drill wraps things up:
1️⃣ Forehand
2️⃣ Backhand Slice
3️⃣ Inside-Out
4️⃣ Short Ball
These drills are about more than ball control — they build a foundation for power, consistency, and injury preventionas Gabrijel grows.
🎥 Video link: https://youtu.be/YAyQaZZFlcg
Today’s training session was all about explosiveness and reaction time. Coach fed 8 consecutive balls, each alternating side-to-side, forcing him to move fast and touch every ball with his racket — a real challenge for any kid, especially at just 6 years and 8 months old.
These are the types of drills that develop:
Sprinting footwork
Split-second decisions
Full-body control and focus
This session left him breathless — but proud. 💪
This session didn’t go as planned — rain and wind swept the outdoor court — but Gabrijel stepped up to the challenge. Instead of cancelling, his coach used the moment to simulate match-like adversity and reinforce shot variety and focusunder pressure.
💥 The full rally includes:
Forehand
Backhand
Inside-out forehand
Reverse volley
Volley
Smash
Despite the conditions, Gabrijel showed commitment and adaptability — two qualities that can’t be taught, only built through experiences like this one.
🎥 Watch the full rally here: https://youtu.be/9QoKs1Mso_c
In this focused drill, Gabrijel learns how to retreat from the net using cross steps and immediately come forward for a volley with a one-foot landing — a key skill for maintaining balance and precision in fast-paced net play.
This movement requires coordination, timing, and strong lower-body control, and is usually taught at much older stages. At just 6 years and 8 months, Gabrijel is already starting to form these advanced habits.
📌 Drill Focus:
Retreating with cross steps from the net
Re-approach with split step and forward momentum
Executing a volley with one-foot landing to simulate game-like pressure
This training session from August 10, 2024, zooms in on two of the most important elements of tennis footwork:
✅ The Split Step — for readiness and explosive reactions
✅ Low Legs Movement — for balance, power, and control
At just 6 years and 8 months old, Gabrijel is beginning to incorporate these habits into his game with the guidance of his coach.
💬 Why it matters:
The split step prepares the body to move in any direction
Staying low improves speed, recovery, and shot consistency
Mastering these early lays the groundwork for future agility
In this new video, we’re focusing on one of the most important skills in early tennis development, approaching the ball with small, controlled steps. At just 6 years old, Gabrijel is starting to understand how important his movement is for balance, timing, and confidence.
🏃♂️ Why Small Steps Matter:
Helps maintain control and positioning
Reduces overstepping and misjudged hits
Builds the muscle memory for higher-level rallies
We’re proud of his attention and energy in this session, slow and steady foundations that lead to big dreams.
This moment made me pause. Gabrijel, at just 6 years and 4 months, held a rally with his coach that lasted over 25 balls, and even one past 30.
To many, that might look like a simple drill. But for us, it’s the clearest sign yet: he’s beginning to really understand the rhythm and feel of the game.
🎾 Rallying isn’t just about hitting, it’s about balance, focus, and endurance. Seeing this happen at such a young age is something we’ll always remember.
Hi everyone, and welcome to @atennisdream — a space where passion, family, and perseverance meet on the tennis court.
I’m Gabrijel’s father, a joyful and determined 7-year-old who picked up his first racket 2 years ago. What started with red balls and casual lessons quickly turned into a growing love for the sport and a big dream: to one day compete professionally.
On this page, I’ll be sharing Gabrijel’s tennis training, progress, challenges, and small wins — from early lessons to tournaments, from footwork to forehands. Our hope is to inspire, learn from others, and connect with people who believe in nurturing talent with heart and honesty.
🌟 You can check out our first three videos on YouTube, including:
After his first 2 weeks of group lessons
His first 1-on-1 red ball coaching
And his game after just 5 months of training
We’re here to grow this dream together. If you’ve been down a similar path, are a coach, a parent, or someone who just believes in the power of dreams, we’d love to have you follow along.
With love and gratitude,
Gabrijel