Talk Tennis - podcast cover

Talk Tennis

Michelle Heidbrink, Tennis Warehousetalktennis.podbean.com
Created for the tennis enthusiast & players of all ages and levels! Get a peek behind the scenes from WTA & ATP pros, industry experts, the physics behind tennis & gear guides! You‘ll stay up to date & well versed in all things tennis and learn more than you can imagine about gear (think: racquets, shoes, strings and MORE)! Powered by Tennis Warehouse.

Episodes

What were the best (& worst) tennis shoes of 2021?! TW Playtesters go over their favorite shoes & recap the best options for you!

Last week, they discussed their favorite racquets of 2021, so of course, this week we shift to talking about all things tennis shoes! Tiffani, Troy and Brittany join Michelle to recap all the shoes launched over the past 365 days and even discuss some inventory issues that have caused some unfortunate issues through the year. With two big shoe launches from Nike and an iconic shoe coming back into the market from adidas, our team goes into all the details to help you decide what might be the bes...

Dec 21, 202134 minEp. 126

What a Year! Playtesters discuss the best (& worst) tennis racquets of 2021 (& could use your help coming up with a racquet draft for 2022)

2021 has been quite the year! And we still can't believe it is that time to say farewell to the year and recap all the tennis racquets that launched in the past 365 days! The playtesters rewind all the way back to the beginning of the year to chat about the favorite (and not so favorite) racquets of 2021! From Wilson Blades to Head Prestiges...Yonex VCORES and Babolat extended Pure Drives, Tiffani, Troy and Brittany join Michelle to recall the highlights of the year in terms of racquet launches!...

Dec 14, 202152 minEp. 125

Get a handle on your tennis! Pallet shapes and sizes de-bunked, measured and explained! (what‘s a pallet?! essentially, the shape your grip takes)

You can't HANDLE the truth of what your racquet's pallet shape measures out too! Just kidding! :) But in this episode, we dive deep into all things grip shape and size and get down to the nitty gritty of your racquet's pallet. Troy joins Michelle to talk about the generalizations about the different pallet shapes and sizes. He also gets down to the bare bones and measures the racquets to see if we can de-bunk some of the stereotypes of some of the brands and their grip shapes! Included below are...

Dec 07, 202135 minEp. 124

Exploring the Mastery of Tennis & more with Tim Foley (philosophies, thoughts & stories to challenge your thoughts the next time you step on the court)

Tim Foley has dedicated his life to human performance. He's spent 40 years on the tennis court. Over 40,000 hours coaching. And in 21 countries…and counting. Few can claim a similar experience. But so what, right? A crappy artist who has made 40,000 paintings in lots of places is just a crappy painter…with a passport full of stamps. It's no secret that Tim's life is tennis, but performance is universal and he's lived a unique life that offers new perspectives. So in this episode, prepare to hear...

Nov 30, 202150 minEp. 123

Grateful for all things tennis this week! Growing the sport with Southern Charm on & off the courts: Ted Reese & Kelly Hesketh from the USTA Southern Section

This week, we have all the gratitude for all things tennis and want to share stories from a section in the USTA who is not only working to grow our sport but also promoting tennis to people of all ages, levels and backgrounds! The USTA Southern Section is doing some great things for the sport of tennis. With a section that spans across 9 southern states, in this episode you will hear it's no secret this section is loaded with Southern Charm! Ted Reese (Vice President USTA Southern; National USTA...

Nov 23, 202147 minEp. 122

It‘s the most wonderful time of the year at Tennis Warehouse! Gift Guide! & Meet our family (Running Warehouse, Total Pickleball, Tackle Warehouse & Riding Warehouse)

The holidays are practically here! This year, we are encouraging everyone to start their shopping early and secure those gifts as soon as possible at Tennis Warehouse and also want to remind you that Sports Warehouse might just be your one stop shop for the 2021 Holiday Season! In this episode, we go over some of our favorite gift ideas for the tennis player in your life (and maybe that is you, that's ok, we don't judge, treat yourself!)! And since the holidays are all about coming together with...

Nov 16, 20211 hr 17 minEp. 121

Sneak Peek: new string from HEAD is here! Find out what makes Lynx Touch so magical & try it before it launches!

You asked, we answered! Dennis Fabian from HEAD joins us to divulge all the details on the newest string from HEAD! Loaded with comfort, control and crazy pocketing Head Lynch Touch might just be your new favorite string! We also answer all your questions regarding Head strings like if Lynx Tour will come in a thinner gauge, what the most popular string Head has is, and we even get to hear some details and gossip from the BNP Paribas Open stringing room! Interested in trying out Lynx Touch? If y...

Nov 09, 202146 minEp. 120

James Blake is here & talks about why he loves Dunlop racquets, being a GirlDad, the importance of tennis balls as a tournament director & more!

James Blake joins us between commentating matches at the BNP Paribas Open and talks about all things tennis! This former top 10 ATP American player chats with us about many things including why he loves Dunlop racquets and how his relationship with the brand began and how it is going (hint: he divulges some info on some racquets he is playtesting). He also discusses what it is like being the Tournament Director for the Miami Open and how important choosing the right ball is when dealing with a h...

Nov 02, 202124 minEp. 119

What are the benefits of using a smaller grip size on your tennis racquet?! (hint: possibly more spin, a looser wrist and more)!

Do you like a bigger or smaller grip? Have you ever gone up or down in grip size? In this episode we go into details about all the potential benefits of using a smaller grip (but also discuss some potential down sides). Tiffani and Brittany are both fans of sizing down with their grips and they join Michelle in trying to convince her to try it out! If you have any further questions or want to continue the conversation?! Email us at [email protected] Shop with us for all your TENNIS ne...

Oct 26, 202124 minEp. 118

Throw a leather grip on it! The benefits of using leather replacement grips (& everything you need to know about them)!

Have you always wondered what adding a leather grip to your racquet will do? Or wonder why people love leather replacement grips? Curious what benefits it might provide? But also, maybe you've been intimidated to try it out? If that is the case, this podcast is for you! Two leather grip aficionados, Chris and Troy, join Michelle to talk about all the ins and outs of using a leather grip on your racquet. They talk through basic benefits as well as installation process and their favorite brands of...

Oct 19, 202133 minEp. 117

Jack Oswald: Pro player creates Cancha Bags: functional & customizable bags for tennis players of all levels!

As a traveling pro tennis player, Jack Oswald has seen the downfalls of the functionality of some of the tennis bags on the market. So what did he doe about it?! He created Cancha: a customizable line of durable, fashion-forward tennis bags for players with busy lifestyles. In this episode, he discusses where his inspiration came from, the ups and downs of starting his own brand, what tennis has taught him and how it relates to his business and the grind of life on tour. Shop Cancha Tennis Bags:...

Oct 12, 202136 minEp. 116

The BNP Paribas Open is BACK! And so is the Tennis Warehouse on site DEMO Court! Here‘s what YOU Should Demo in Indian Wells!

The BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells is BACK! And so is the Tennis Warehouse Demo Court and Tent! Get excited!! As it heats up in the desert, we know you are jonesing to get some demos in your hands and hit some balls under that warm desert sun. In this episode, Troy, Boonie and Andrew join Michelle and talk about some of their favorite racquets all while giving you an opportunity to take notes and figure out which racquets will be on the top of your demo list! If you have any further questions ...

Oct 05, 20211 hr 3 minEp. 115

Move over Djokovic, Roger & Rafa! The Next Generation of Men‘s Pro Tennis is here (FAA, Alcaraz, Brooksby, Medvedev)! Find out what racquets, strings & shoes they‘re using!

You guys asked for it! Troy joins Michelle to chat all about the youngsters on the ATP Tour! Move over seasoned veteran players like Djokovic, Rafa and Roger, the ATP NEXTGEN is here -- players like FAA, Carlos Alcaraz, Lloyd Harris, Brooksby and more have entered the conversation! We talk about it all including the racquets they endorse, the racquets they actually use, their string set ups, shoes of choice and the former players that are coaching these guys as well as fun stories everywhere in ...

Sep 28, 202144 minEp. 114

The Next Generation of Women‘s Pro Tennis is here (Raducanu, Fernandez & more)! Find out what racquets, strings & shoes they‘re using!

The US Open is over and one thing we learned for sure, the NEXT GEN of Women's Pro Tennis is here! Troy joins Michelle and they talk all about what the young ladies are using on the courts -- everyone from Emma Raducanu, Leylah Fernandez to CoCo Gauff and Caty McNally. We talk about it all including the racquets they endorse, the racquets they actually use, their string set ups, shoes of choice and more! If you have any further questions or want to continue the conversation?! Email us! Shop with...

Sep 21, 202148 minEp. 113

Debate of the Year: Pro vs. Con Vibration Dampener on your Tennis Racquet - Pick a Side!

Vibration dampeners are pointless! Change my mind! In this episode, we debate a fun topic: VIBRATION DAMPENERS! Do you swear by them and love the sound with them when they are installed in your racquet or do you prefer to hear the ball hit your strings sans-damp?! Join Chris and Mark while they debate each side of this topic, while both grew up with the Agassi-style rubber band damp in their strings, one playtesters swears by using a damp while the other says, "ditch it!" Where do you stand? Are...

Sep 14, 202123 minEp. 112

Beyond the Playtest: Yonex VCORE Pro Tennis Racquets

The Yonex VCORE Pro line of racquets just got updated and the playtesters are here to dive into an in depth chat on these new frames! Known for their control and feel, the team talks about how each racquet played from the VCORE Pro 100 to the light and heavy 97 as well as the dense-patterned VCORE Pro 97D. Take a listen to what they think about this 2021 updated line of racquets including their take on the new retro cosmetic! Questions!? Email us! And be sure to shop for the new Yonex VCORE Pros...

Sep 07, 202141 minEp. 111

Daniil Medvedev is here to geek out about his Tennis Gear! #2 ranked ATP player talks about his Tecnifibre racquet, Lacoste shoes & more!

Daniil Medvedev joins us to talk all about his on court gear! He explains how he got started playing with Tecnifibre and why he loves his TFight 305 RS Racquet and why the unique string pattern seems to fit his on court style. He also talks about his Lacoste shoes and the testing process with them. He even gives you some insight into what makes him unique and authentic and what location in the world is on his bucket list for his next vacation! Enjoy the banter and fun and be sure to check out Da...

Aug 31, 202130 minEp. 110

The adidas BARRICADE is Back! And the Global Team of Designers Talk All About the Iconic Tennis Shoe & this Update!

If you are a tennis player who has spent some time in this sport, you probably have worn an adidas Barricade shoe at one point or another! After 20+ years in the shoe market, the BARRICADE is back and better than ever! In this episode, some of the people responsible for designing & producing this iconic shoe join us to talk about all things BARRICADE! From the initial shoe launch, to the amount of Grand Slams won in a Barricade, Laurent Haeyaert, Rohan Abel and Carly Tatibouet talk us through th...

Aug 24, 202154 minEp. 109

Bronzeamos! Luisa Stefani Wins BRONZE; takes home Brazil's 1st Tennis Medal & she didn't even think she'd make it to Tokyo...

Luisa Stefani is beaming and giddy as she joins us in San Jose, CA a day after arriving from Japan with her Bronze Medal proudly adorned around her neck to tell us her story about her last minute trip to Tokyo. Having battled some injuries and illnesses keeping her out of important tournaments, Luisa accepted the opportunity to represent her country just wasn't in the cards for her in 2021 and instead took a trip out of town and was ready to enjoy some time with her team celebrating birthdays an...

Aug 17, 202126 minEp. 108

The Rally Tennis App is Here! Mat Vogels Explains Why this App will change your TENNIS Life & get you playing more! (plus, make tennis friends, & improve your game)

Want to play more tennis?! Us to! In this episode, Mat Vogels from Rally Tennis talks all about the newest tennis app to help you meet new people and play more tennis! This app connects players of all levels all over the country to get you on the court and hitting more balls! Whether you want to be ultra-competitive or just are looking for someone new to practice with, Rally Tennis will connect you with players close in area and skill level for more court time! Download Rally Tennis Now: Rally T...

Aug 10, 202152 minEp. 107

Everything You Need to Know About Stringing Your Own Tennis Racquet (how to choose a string machine, etc.)!

Curious how to get started with stringing your own racquets? And you aren't even sure what machine to get or where to start? It's a little overwhelming, but Troy and Jaye join to help navigate that process. Whether you want to learn to string for fun or you are interested in turning it into a business, we've got you covered! From explaining the different types of machines, to discussing some of the hardest set ups to string, our stringing gurus explain it all. Still have questions or want to sha...

Aug 03, 202154 minEp. 106

Tennis Trends from the NEXT GEN of Professional ATP & WTA Payers (from strings, racquets, gear & more)!

The NEXT GEN is here in the world of tennis! Or at least, they are trying to make their presence known. So what trends are they bringing to the tennis world and how does it compare to some what some of the older players are doing with their gear? Jaye and Troy join Michelle to talk trends and about how has gear might be changing with the younger ATP and WTA players. If you have any further questions or want to continue the conversation?! Email us! Shop with us for all your TENNIS needs all over ...

Jul 27, 202140 minEp. 105

Round 2: Tennis Warehouse Playtesters Pick the BEST (ok, ok, their favorite) Racquets, Shoes, Strings & More!

We are back for round 2! The Tennis Warehouse playtesters are here to pick some of the best gear of 2021! This time, Troy, Boonie and Tiffani join Michelle as they spill the beans on new upcoming gear as well as give their insights as to what the best racquets, shoes and strings are right now. Listen up tennis gear geeks, you don't want to miss a minute! Have any further questions or want to continue the conversation?! Email us! Shop with us for all your TENNIS needs all over the WORLD: 🇺🇸 Ten...

Jul 20, 202138 minEp. 104

The Tennis Warehouse Playtesters Pick the BEST (ok, ok, their favorite) Racquets, Shoes, Strings & More!

The Tennis Warehouse playtesters are here to pick some of the best gear of 2021! Chris, Jason and Brittany join Michelle as they spill the beans on new upcoming gear as well as give their insights as to what the best racquets, shoes and strings are right now. Listen up tennis gear geeks, you don't want to miss a minute! Have any further questions or want to continue the conversation?! Email us! Shop with us for all your TENNIS needs all over the WORLD: 🇺🇸 Tennis Warehouse 🇪🇺 TW Europe 🇦🇺 T...

Jul 13, 202145 minEp. 103

Brian Wilson: Former Pro Player & NCAA Champion Scouts Tennis Talent & Develops Champions

There's no doubt about it, Brian Wilson knows a thing or two about tennis! With loads of life experience from the court and knowledge from playing at the top level, in this episode he talks about what it takes to be a top ranked junior player, how to transition from being a top college player to the pro circuit and how important having the right gear is for players to continue to advance their game. With career wins over Pete Sampras and Pat Rafter, he currently is the Director of High Performan...

Jul 06, 202137 minEp. 102

What Tennis Racquets Play like a Babolat Pure Drive?!? (perfect for tennis players looking for easy power & spin at any level!)

We always get asked, "What plays like a Babolat Pure Drive?!" Whether you are looking for an identical racquet to offer easy power and spin or something slightly different to provide something a little bit different than the Pure Drive, we have some great racquets for you to check out! Tiffani and Troy join Michelle and discuss several options for players! What other racquets would you love for us to do a deeper dive and offer similar options?! Leave us a review with any insight! ➤Babolat Pure D...

Jun 29, 202138 minEp. 101

Nike's Naomi Osaka Collection Capsule has launched at Tennis Warehouse! & we chat all about her new line of apparel!

Dynamic and different than your typical Tennis Apparel, Nike & Naomi Osaka just launched her apparel capsule! Featuring an assortment of pieces blending colors and textures, we discuss how this line of apparel really showcases Naomi's personality and involvement with Nike. “Nike is a place where I can just go and explore. Sometimes I feel like it’s like a playground for designers. What’s fun is our conversations start with just an idea, and lead to really fun, creative designs that reflect who I...

Jun 22, 202124 minEp. 100

Need a replacement for the Yonex EZONE DR 98?! Andy DEMOS a ton of Tennis Racquets to find a replacement; guess which he picks!?

We get it. You LOVE the Yonex EZONE DR 98. And no matter what, you cannot find a racquet to take its place. Today, we chat about the demo process we put Andy Gerst through to replace his old, beat up, worn down DR 98 racquets. He talks through the racquets he tried, discusses which ones he spent more time demoing and lets us know what he ended up switching to! Check out the racquets he demo'd: ➤Yonex EZONE 98: ➤Yonex EZONE 100: ➤Yonex EZONE 98 Tour: ➤Tecnifibre TFight 300 RS: ➤Head Graphene 360+...

Jun 15, 20211 hr 7 minEp. 99

Beyond the Playtest: Prince Twistpower X97 Tour Tennis Racquet Chat

It's here! The Prince Twistpower X97 Tour seems a little gimmicky at first, but once on the court, this modern racquet seems to be playing well in the hands of our playtest team. Troy and Jason join Michelle to take a closer look at the heaviest member of the Twistpower family and explain what to expect and how it feels. Buy or Demo Now at Tennis Warehouse! Have any further questions or want to continue the conversation?! Email us! Shop with us for all your TENNIS needs all over the WORLD: 🇺🇸 ...

Jun 08, 202125 minEp. 98

Iga Swiatek (2020 French Open Champion!) talks about her new Tecnifibre Signature Racquet, her friendship with Rafa & More!

Iga Swiatek joins us to talk all about working with Tecnifibre to build her new TRebound 298 Signature racquet! The 2020 French Open Champion discusses what she was looking for in a new frame and how this racquet helps her play with confidence and even capture the Rome 2021 title! As she defends her title at Roland Garros, she also divulges info on her friendship with Rafa and also players on the WTA she looks up to and will be playing doubles with on the red clay in Paris! Be sure to demo Iga's...

Jun 01, 202126 minEp. 97