Are you blocking yourself from tennis improvement? Countless tennis players all around the world are without knowing it! That’s because they’re too scared to know the truth about what their game really is and stepping out towards the fear isn’t something they’re willing to do. Good news: you CAN break through and reach your goals but only with the right mindset and perspective! This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is aimed to do exactly that.
Oct 15, 2019•14 min•Ep 457•Transcript available on Metacast If you’ve EVER been down in the dumps after losing a tennis match then this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is critical to hear! You’ll learn some stats from professional player results that will blow your mind, a new perspective on what it means to “fail” in tennis, and also a step by step approach to practically break down your losses so you can come away with priceless insights into your own game. The result: consistent improvement instead of getting stuck in negativity.
Sep 19, 2019•37 min•Ep 456•Transcript available on Metacast Every once in a while we get a glimpse into the mind of a champion like Rafael Nadal. That’s exactly what happened during his post match press conference after the US Open final this past Sunday where he won his 19th grand slam title. He was asked about negative thoughts, the slam race, adjustments as he ages, and possibly becoming world #1 again. His responses were filled with wisdom and insight which I’ll share with you in this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast along with my thoughts on ...
Sep 11, 2019•25 min•Ep 455•Transcript available on Metacast There are great tennis lessons and BAD tennis lessons, but how do you tell the difference?? This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast will dive deep into the top five ways you can tell that a tennis lesson won’t get you where you want to go. Of course, different players are looking for different types of lessons, too, so you’ll also learn about what to look for depending on your goals and aspirations on the court!
Sep 03, 2019•41 min•Ep 454•Transcript available on Metacast We're super excited to announce a brand new audio podcast from Essential Tennis called the "Shankcast"! This is a quick update to give you the details on that show plus let you know how you can get FREE access to any of our online coaching programs, but only through the end of September. If you love tennis then you'll absolutely love the Shankcast podcast. Go subscribe today! http://www.essentialtennis.com/shank
Aug 22, 2019•5 min•Ep 453•Transcript available on Metacast How would you like to tell the future on the tennis court by knowing EXACTLY what your opponent is going to hit next? You can do it! But only if you know exactly what to look for, watch, and analyze as your foes move around the court and prepare to hit each shot. In this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast you’ll learn all 5 elements needed to deconstruct your opponent, read their patterns and intention, and show up in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. Nothing is more fun!...
Aug 21, 2019•31 min•Ep 452•Transcript available on Metacast If you’re frustrated by what Father Time is doing to your tennis game then this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is a must listen! You’ll hear an incredibly specific, practical conversation between Ian and Brent Abel who is world ranked in men’s 70’s competition. Not only has he stayed sharp over time but he’s playing better than ever and has a tremendous amount of wisdom to share for players of all ages!
Aug 14, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Ep 451•Transcript available on Metacast What is it exactly that separates beginner, intermediate, and high level tennis players? What’s the magic combination of skills, abilities, and traits that sets them apart? This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast will explain the top 7 things beginners miss that keep them at low or intermediate levels of play. Plus you’ll learn exactly what to focus on instead of those mistakes so you can propel your game to the next level and beyond!
Aug 08, 2019•35 min•Ep 450•Transcript available on Metacast Did you know you have a lot in common with one of the best tennis players ever to step onto a court, Rafael Nadal? You do! Today’s episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast will explore the mentality and perspective around making mistakes including how the world’s most elite competitors respond after hitting a shot they clearly didn’t mean to hit. You’ll also learn my own personal philosophy about hitting and missing feeds during point play, drills, or practices.
Jul 30, 2019•18 min•Ep 449•Transcript available on Metacast This special episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast features a conversation with Marcus Cootsona, the author of "Occam's Racquet" and "TNNS LSSNS, Filling the Gaps in Your Game". Together we discuss why tennis isn't an intuitive or natural game, how we can tell if a coach is worth taking lessons from, plus what the gaps in our games are and how we can fill them.
Jul 17, 2019•58 min•Ep 448•Transcript available on Metacast So you want to do video analysis for your tennis game, but where in the world do you start?? Which camera is best? What about tripods, software, or shooting angles? Don’t worry, in today’s episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast you’ll learn the step by step details for all of those things and many more! Good news: it’s much, MUCH easier than most people think. In fact, you probably already have everything you need.
Jul 09, 2019•34 min•Ep 447•Transcript available on Metacast This special episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast features a candid conversation with Dr. Peter Scales, Ph.D. You'll learn how its possible to love the game of tennis more than simply winning and losing, what mental traits separate frustrated players from satisfied ones, and how to approach your practice and competition to be as successful as possible.
Jun 25, 2019•52 min•Ep 446•Transcript available on Metacast So what does it REALLY take to bring your tennis game to the next level? Today you’ll find out during this candid and open conversation between coach and student. Learn exactly what drills, mindsets, and schedules Amadou used to dramatically improve his technique and strategy over the span of 6 months so you can utilize the lessons he learned! If you take your tennis results seriously then you can’t miss his episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast.
Jun 18, 2019•56 min•Ep 445•Transcript available on Metacast If you lose to singles players you KNOW you should beat then today’s episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is a must listen! You’ll learn the 5 key principles needed for singles success so you can evaluate your opponent, set up effective patterns and plays, and adjust your strategy on the fly like a pro to find the best possible plan of attack. Ignoring any of the five things in this episode means leaving matches on the table so be sure to tune in if you’re serious about your tennis results!...
Jun 11, 2019•37 min•Ep 444•Transcript available on Metacast There’s an underlying assumption being made by tennis players and coaches that KILLS the potential to win matches! Singles and doubles players alike are making this critical perception mistake that keeps them locked into losing patterns of play. Find out what that wrong mindset is, how it was holding back one of my students, and how we’re breaking him free with amazing results in this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast.
May 21, 2019•24 min•Ep 443•Transcript available on Metacast It can happen to the most passionate of players: an injury, a change in schedule, losing access to a court… life can throw any number of things at us to keep us from the game we love. But when you’re ready to pick up your racquet and hit the court again after years - or even decades - of time away, getting back to your former level of play can feel impossible. In today’s episode I’ll discuss the best (and worst) way to get you back in the game as quickly as possible.
May 14, 2019•27 min•Ep 442•Transcript available on Metacast Do you get nervous when you play tennis matches? Do you get tight, lock up, and become a totally different player once score is being kept? If so this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is a MUST listen! You’ll learn the secret to the incredible performances of world class players, what’s happening inside their minds, and why it’s very different than most people think. Plus, you’ll hear a step by step plan to start overcoming your drops in performance during real tennis matches.
May 07, 2019•29 min•Ep 441•Transcript available on Metacast Ever heard the phrase “it’s like riding a bike” to describe something really easy to do once you learn how? Today’s episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast uncovers a vital improvement lesson that proves nothing could be more DIFFICULT than riding a bike when one simple variable changes. Understanding these principles is critical to improving absolutely any part of your tennis game!
Apr 30, 2019•28 min•Ep 440•Transcript available on Metacast Want to play your BEST just hours after completing a match in a tournament? This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast will give you a simple 5 step formula that any player can execute at any level to quickly recover, recharge, and ramp up again for their next match. Topics include mental, tactical, hydration, and food intake so you can peak at exactly the right time and win more tennis tournament matches!
Apr 24, 2019•29 min•Ep 439•Transcript available on Metacast Do you always choose to “serve” after winning the spin before your matches? If so you’re often giving up a HUGE tactical advantage and likely missing a lot of queues that your opponent doesn’t want you to notice. That all stops today! This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast will teach you the psychology, math, and tactics behind choosing whether to serve or receive after the racquet spin. You’ll never look at the end of your match warm ups the same way again.
Apr 16, 2019•32 min•Ep 438•Transcript available on Metacast Ready to take your tennis to the next level? Over the last 6 weeks I’ve spent a huge amount of time on the court with private and group students. This podcast pulls together all of the most important, impactful lessons that I learned alongside them! Included are actionable tips on how to prioritize your technique projects, why “weird is normal”, why quality is more important than quantity, and much more! Thanks for your patience and support of the Essential Tennis Podcast :-)
Apr 02, 2019•30 min•Ep 437•Transcript available on Metacast Has one of your tennis strokes fallen into a jerky, twitching mess of hitches and hiccups? If so you’re not alone, and this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast has the solution! You’ll learn how to regain confidence in your wayward stroke, find the smoothness you used to have, and finally break free to better habits.
Jan 17, 2019•35 min•Ep 436•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s guest has had her share of mental tennis challenges on her way to winning 17 Grand Slam trophies, two Olympic gold medals, and 69 career doubles titles on the pro tour! Gigi Fernandez opens up about her past struggles with angry outbursts on the court, the key mindsets and habits that turned it all around for her, and also the practical advice that she now gives her recreational level students who come to her for advice. Find out exactly what goes through the head of an elite, world clas...
Jan 08, 2019•38 min•Ep 435•Transcript available on Metacast Do you hate playing tiebreakers in tennis? This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast will arm you with the techniques, tactics, and mindsets needed to be successful! You’ll learn the two biggest mistakes players make that sabotage their chances of winning tiebreakers, the single most effective strategy to use, and even the mental toughness key needed to maximize your chances of winning. It’s time you learn how to WIN these critical points.
Jan 01, 2019•31 min•Ep 434•Transcript available on Metacast Picking on an opponent’s backhand can be one of the most effective tactics in all of tennis! In this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast you’ll learn FIVE different plays that you can use to exploit the weak side of the players you square off against, including a wildcard that adds a tremendous amount of flexibility to how you’re able to keep them uncomfortable. Implement any one or two of them to gain the upper hand and win more matches now!
Dec 12, 2018•33 min•Ep 433•Transcript available on Metacast Do you have a tennis stroke that’s been stuck for weeks? Or maybe you feel like your whole game is in a rut even though you’ve been working hard to advance? This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast has the solution! It outlines 5 simple but critical things that are needed to continue moving from level to level in the game of tennis. Unfortunately most players don’t take advantage of any of them, but that stops now!
Dec 05, 2018•27 min•Ep 432•Transcript available on Metacast If you’re constantly disappointed in your progress on the tennis court then this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast is incredibly important to listen to. You’ll learn why your relationship to “left arrows” and “right arrows” explain whether or not you’ll be happy in tennis, how failures can lead to more fulfillment on the court, and why your perspective on the game at large has everything to do with which path you take year after year.
Nov 27, 2018•26 min•Ep 431•Transcript available on Metacast My junior year of NCAA tennis thrust me into a crazy situation that unexpectedly produced the best doubles of my life. In this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast I'll unpack the top 6 lessons I learned from my experience. Practical mindset, tactics, and strategy insights that you can implement in your very next doubles match!
Nov 21, 2018•32 min•Ep 430•Transcript available on Metacast What goes on in the mind of a great champion like Roger Federer? Is it all positivity, forward progress, and confidence? Nope! This episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast breaks down an insightful interview that Roger gave talking about being mentally fit. You’ll learn how it deals with nervousness, distractions, and what he feels is most important to strive for each and every time he steps onto a court. Hope you find these insights inspiring and easy to put into practice!
Nov 06, 2018•24 min•Ep 429•Transcript available on Metacast Ever win the first set of a tennis match 6-1 only to lose the next one 1-6? What’s up with that?! In this episode of the Essential Tennis Podcast you’ll learn why those shifts in momentum are actually much easier to come about than you think and what mindset you should have around lopsided scores has they travel back and forth. You’ll also learn exactly which singles and doubles patterns of play will insulate you the most from big momentum swings.
Oct 30, 2018•20 min•Ep 428•Transcript available on Metacast 
