The Functional Tennis Podcast · Fabio Molle

Balancing Singles Ambition and Doubles Success with Marc Polmans

·37 min·3 clips

Marc Polmans went from not knowing if he was in the draw to making the Australian Open doubles final as a wildcard.

Host Fabio Molle interviews Australian tennis pro Marc Polmans, who recently reached the Australian Open men's doubles final as a wildcard. Polmans discusses his unexpected run, his career balancing act, and the practical realities of life on tour. He details his journey from not initially knowing if he'd be in the draw to beating teams like Koolhof and Krawietz in a third-set tiebreak. Polmans explains how he and partner Jason Kubler gained momentum after top seeds Glasspool and Cash were upset early, creating an open path. He reveals he contracted food poisoning from the tournament restaurant after the quarterfinal but recovered to win his semifinal. The final, played under a closed roof against Skupski and Koolhof, presented a tough challenge against their precise style. Financially, the final's prize money of approximately $158,000 was crucial after a six-month injury hiatus forced him to play low-paying Futures events last year. Polmans states he still primarily identifies as a singles player despite his doubles ranking jumping to 60, planning a 60-40 split favoring doubles to capitalize on bigger tournaments. He switched his racket to the Babolat Pure Aero 100, weighted to 315 grams with a 295 swing weight and strung with RPM Blast 1.25. Polmans tested the new Wilson "Python" prototype but found the Pure Aero provided more spin suited to his game. He describes the significant ranking points disparity, noting a single Grand Slam run can eclipse months of Challenger results, as seen with Terence Atmane's breakthrough. Polmans reflects that if he were 18 today, he would seriously consider the college tennis route for its stability and development opportunities. He outlines a grueling travel schedule starting in Phoenix, then moving through Mexico, Asia, and Europe for the clay and grass seasons. Based in Australia, Polmans cites extended travel stints—sometimes up to nine months—as a major professional hurdle. The conversation is casual and interview-style, focused on the practical and strategic aspects of a professional tennis career. This episode will appeal to tennis players and fans interested in the behind-the-scenes logistics, equipment choices, and economic realities of the pro tour. Listeners seeking high-level tactical analysis or celebrity gossip might find it less engaging.

As heard by us

A clear-eyed look at the narrow margins behind a breakout tennis run.

Built around the run to the Australian Open doubles final, this episode works best when it stays close to the grind of staying on tour. The story moves from a wild-card surprise to the slow climb back after injury, then into the everyday calls that shape a career: singles or…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Hear how a wild-card week in Melbourne turned into an Australian Open doubles final and a real shift in season momentum.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from The Functional Tennis Podcast