Many players say they want to improve, but quietly organize their decisions around protecting a number.

A DUPR rating.
A league level.
A reputation on the court.

The result is predictable: safer choices, fewer experiments, and slower improvement.

In this episode, I explore the subtle psychological trap of identity protection — and why real progress often starts when players are willing to temporarily look worse in order to get better.

This idea shows up everywhere in racquet sports, from tennis league matches to pickleball tournaments.

The question isn’t whether your rating is accurate.

The real question is whether it has started to define how you play.

More thinking on this topic lives on my Substack at Brian Thinks, where I explore the longer version of these ideas and the questions that help players think more clearly between games.

Because the next point doesn’t start with the serve.

It starts with the thought before it.

In this episode, Brian dives into the humorous and absurd world of unsolicited advice—comparing it to a passenger trying to coach a pilot during takeoff and landing. He explores how, in tennis, many consider themselves critics while forgetting that the true experts are the coaches crafting the lesson plans. As we face the rise of technology, Brian poses the question: "The Robots Are Coming to Tennis Tennis!" Can they really match the expertise and style of a seasoned coach? Tune in for a lighthearted take on trust, expertise, and the quirky intersection of sports and technology!

Backhand City

Today in the show Brian has a special guest, Director of Racquets at One Mile Racquet Club, Vernon Gettone Jr. (USPTA Florida Professional of the Year) as they talk about personality types on the tennis lesson court. Which one are you?

Major League Pickleball started with 24 teams and is down to 22.

Brian discusses the emerging professional sport of pickleball and it pro sports league (MLP). Where to watch and what do they need to succeed in the short and long term.

Brian dives into the disadvantages of playing at private tennis clubs and taking lessons. He also discusses Simon Halep's four year doping suspension. Laver Cup without the "Big 3" and things he hates in tennis after the US Open.

If pickleball is so hot why is it so far behind tennis in prize money when comparing respective US Opens? Brian dives into the numbers and how long it takes to build market share in sports. With the digital economy and new leagues like Major League Pickleball you might be surprised how far pickleball has come as a sport.

Want to know what Brian's tennis classes are like? Take a 9 minute listen to what you can learn in his tennis class.

What are the advantages on playing on a tennis team in an individual sport like tennis?

1) Coaching

2) Comraderie

3) Affordability

4) Competition

If you are interested Varsity Tennis Team go to: Backhand-City.com and fill out the tennis questionnaire.

Brian gets feedback from Pickleball Forum readers who chime in on all things Pickleball. Including why recreational players avoid the backhand groundstroke by running around and predominantly playing their forehand groundstroke in pick up games.   

Pickleball Forum 

Miami Open Play Membership 

Podcast Host: Brian Lutz

Pickleball Drills

Pickleball Kitchen

Inspirational tennis stories with students of tennis coach, Brian Lutz in Miami, FL

Joey Bishop Show

Host: Brian Lutz / Backhand City

Miami Tennis Court Map