In this week´s episode, we speak to former GB tennis player and TV presenter Dan Lobb.

Dan played professionally for 2 years before joining Sky Sports as a presenter and later moving to GMTV. He was Sports Editor on ITV´s replacement breakfast programme Daybreak, before becoming co-presenter of the main show.

He has since produced the heartwarming documentary Silver Servers, which tells the story of 4 players in their 80´s and 90´s who are still travelling the world competing in ITF events.

Dan reflects on his experiences in the world of television and tennis, sharing insights from his time on the 2011 season of Strictly Come Dancing, and the importance of community in tennis.

He also discusses his friendship with a remarkable tennis player called Leonid from Ukraine, and the lessons learned about controlling what one can do in life.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:-

• Watch´s Dan´s Documentary ¨Silver Servers"
• Follow us on Instagram to keep up with all the latest episodes of Control the Controllables

We´re so excited that Control the Controllables is a finalist at the Sports Podcast Awards! We´ve been nominated for Best Tennis & Racket Podcast and we´d love it if you could vote for us!

Vote for us here (it only takes a couple of minutes) and spread the link around as much as you can! Thank you for all your support 🙏🏻

In this week´s episode we have the second edition of our CTC Real series, uncovering and exploring the real side of tennis.

Dan discusses two of the biggest stories in tennis the past couple of weeks (and possibly of the year): Iga Swiatek´s failed doping test and Sir Andy Murray joining Djokovic´s coaching team.

He´s joined by GB player Ben Jones who is currently No.214 in the world in doubles, who gives us some interesting stories about what life is really like on the Futures Tour. Ben also discusses the significance of having supportive fellow players to travel with.

Dan is then joined by Sarah Borwell from Tennis Smart/Keystone Sports to talk about the new NCAA tennis structure. They discuss the impact of the changes in NCAA rules, the tournament calendar and scholarships on the future of college tennis.

In this series, we'll be bringing you some of the stories you might not have spotted in the world of tennis, from the top level all the way down to the lowest level of professional tennis that rarely gets a mention.

Let us know what you think of the series and what you would like to see on the next editions of the show!

In today´s episode, GB´s Jacob Fearnley shares his journey to becoming a top 100 ATP player, reflecting on the surreal experience of his recent success. 

Jacob graduated from Texas Christian University (TCU) in May this year, with his team winning the NCAA´s. By October, he was ranked 98 in the world, winning 27 out of 28 ATP Challenger matches along the way.

Jacob joins CTC host Dan Kiernan to discuss the challenges and triumphs he´s faced so far in his tennis journey. He shares insights from his experiences playing against top players like Carlos Alcaraz and Yannik Sinner as a junior, and what it was like taking on Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon this summer.

Jacob also discusses:-

• The importance of naivety and lack of pressure starting out.
• The influence of his family, particularly his grandparents on his tennis journey
• The role of College Tennis in his development and it´s rise as a legitimate pathway for players.
• The significance of having supportive coaches
• The importance of a strong mindset and goal setting, and the influence of Andy Murray on his career.

This is a fascinating listen for players and parents!

🛍️ DON´T MISS OUR BLACK FRIDAY OFFER 🛍️

Unlock 20% Off Access Weeks at SotoTennis Academy

From 10am on Friday 29th November until 11:59pm on Monday 2nd December, you can enjoy 20% off an Access Week at SotoTennis Academy!

This is the perfect opportunity to join Team Soto—whether you’ve been waiting for the right moment to train at the Academy, or you’re looking for an unforgettable Christmas gift for the tennis player in your life. 

But hurry—spaces are limited! Get your discount code here!

Our Final LIVE episode on the WTA Finals, reflecting on the action in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and talking about the positives and negatives from the tournament and how it was ran as well as looking back and Gaby Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe's WINNING the WTA Finals.

This is the final of the shorter episodes aiming to provide a round up of the WTA Finals action in Riyadh with coach of WTA Finals doubles pair Gaby Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe!

Our FULL episode #240 with former CNN sports anchor Candy Reid who has incredible stories to tell and has interviewed superstars such as Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Tiger Woods and much more!

In This Episode:

Dan reflects on the WTA Finals held in Riyadh, discussing the event's successes, cultural insights, areas for improvement, and the importance of supporting women in sports.

He emphasises the positive atmosphere among players, the need for better logistical arrangements, and the significance of building a supportive tennis culture in Britain.

Dan also highlights the impact of the event on local communities and the importance of promoting women's achievements in sports.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and Overview of the Event

06:07 Cultural Insights and Personal Experiences

11:54 Team Dynamics and Sportsmanship

18:52 Impact of the Event on Saudi Arabia and Women's Tennis

YouTube: Control the Controllables Podcast

Instagram: ctc.podcast

Twitter (X): ctc_podcast

TikTok: Control the Controllables Podcast

In today´s episode we speak to broadcaster and former CNN sports anchor Candy Reid.

Candy shares her remarkable journey from a promising tennis player to a successful broadcaster, running a tennis academy, and now Commentator and Podcast Host.

With years of experience in the industry, Candy has interviewed the biggest names in tennis—Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, and many more! She shares the inside story of how she broke into sports broadcasting, her early days on the tennis court, and the dedication and sacrifices it took to rise to success at CNN.

Packed with incredible stories, Candy recounts unforgettable moments, from dancing with Novak Djokovic to an entire day filming with Serena Williams. The conversation also touches on the pressures of competition, the common traits of successful athletes, the challenges of balancing career and family life, and the evolving role of women in sports media. This is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Episode Links:

• Check out Candy’s podcast ‘Diary of a Professional Tennis Coach’ including the episode with Dan Kiernan whilst out in China. Listen here.
• SotoTennis Academy
• Watch clips from the episode on YouTube

Day 12 and the final LIVE podcast from the WTA Finals in Riyadh. A special edition joined by the CHAMPIONS of the WTA Finals, Gaby Dabrowksi and Erin Routliffe hours after winning the finals match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia!

This is the final of the shorter episodes aiming to provide a round up of the WTA Finals action in Riyadh with coach of WTA Finals doubles pair Gaby Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe!

Make sure to check out the Asian Swing Review FULL EPISODE out on all podcast platforms and YouTube!

In the Episode:

Dan celebrates the achievements of beating Siniaková and Townsend 7-5 6-3 in the WTA FINALS FINAL joined with Gaby Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe, the newly crowned WTA Finals doubles champions.

The discussion covers their journey through the tournament, their reflections on playing in Riyadh, and the importance of maintaining a positive mindset. The champions answer questions sent in by our listeners via our social media and share insights into their preparation, the challenges they faced, and their future aspirations in tennis.

The conversation highlights the significance of their victory in the context of women's tennis and the impact it has on inspiring future generations.

Dan also wraps up the tournament, reflecting on Coco Gauff's resilient performance in the singles finals, how the tournament was ran, crowd atmosphere and final thoughts before going off to celebrate the victory!

Chapters

00:00 Celebrating Champions: WTA Finals Highlights

04:03 Gaby and Erin Join to talk about them winning the WTA Finals!

05:33 Gaby and Erin Answering Questions about the Victory and the Year

11:32 Reflecting on Overcoming Challenges: The Journey to Victory

17:09 Personal Moments: Celebrations and Memories

YouTube: Control the Controllables Podcast

Instagram: ctc.podcast

Twitter (X): ctc_podcast

TikTok: Control the Controllables Podcast

Day 11 WTA Finals Riyadh Round Up talking all about the big topics during the Finals. The night before the WTA Finals final for doubles and singles!

Joined by elite tennis analyst for players such as Coco Gauff, Holger Rune, Stefanos Tsitsipas and more! Here to break down how Gauff made it to the final and improved her games, the doubles match in the final and much more in detailed analysis to listen out for!

You can check out the video format of each of these LIVE podcasts on YouTube by searching 'Control the Contollables Podcast' all available NOW.

Episode with Gaby Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe directly after WINNING the WTA Finals is also OUT NOW on our YouTube channel and will be out on all podcast platforms Sunday 10th November so watch out!

These are shorter episodes aiming to provide a round up of the WTA Finals action in Riyadh with coach of WTA Finals doubles pair Gaby Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe!

Make sure to check out the Asian Swing Review FULL EPISODE out on all podcast platforms and YouTube!

In This Episode:

Dan and Mike discuss the highlights of the tennis tournament in Riyadh, focusing on the performances of Coco Gauff and Zheng. Mike James provides insights into Gauff's impressive play and her potential to dominate women's tennis.

Dan also talks about the finals taking place and the emotions and feeling before a final!

The conversation also touches on the ATP Finals and the dynamics of the tournament, including the unique atmosphere and fan engagement compared to other events!

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Day 11 in Riyadh

02:48 Coco Gauff's Impressive Performance

11:47 Analyzing the Final Matchup of Gauff and Zheng and Gaby and Erins final match

17:47 Insights on WTA Finals and Player Development and Mike congratulating Dan

YouTube: Control the Controllables Podcast

Instagram: ctc.podcast

Twitter (X): ctc_podcast

TikTok: Control the Controllables Podcast

Day 10 WTA Finals Riyadh Round Up talking all about the big topics during the Finals joined by the agent of Andrey Rublev, Alex De Minaur and Daria Kasatkina, John Morris! Live from the ATP Finals in Turin!

Watch LIVE at 8pm GMT DAILY during the WTA Finals on YouTube by searching 'Control the Controllables Podcast'!

These are shorter episodes aiming to provide a round up of the WTA Finals action in Riyadh with coach of WTA Finals doubles pair Gaby Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe!

Make sure to check out the Asian Swing Review FULL EPISODE out on all podcast platforms and YouTube!

In This Episode:

In this conversation, Dan is joined by John Morris, a sports agent, who provides insights into player management, the challenges faced by athletes, and the importance of being prepared for high-stakes matches.

John Morris talks about what happens behind the scenes when one of his players, Daria Kasatkina, gets called up last minute for the WTA Finals.

John Morris also talks about the feeling players such as Rublev and De Minaur have to end of year events such as the ATP Finals and the importance of these compared to Grand Slams. As well as his players aims for the year and how Novak Djokovic withdrawing effects his players.

The discussion also touches on the cultural changes in Saudi Arabia regarding women's rights, the commercial opportunities for players, and the overall experience of the tournament in Riyadh compared to Turin.

Dan also talks about the Gaby and Erins 3rd win in a row in the group stage as they get ready and prepare for their semi-finals battle against Melichar-Martinez and Perez!

Predictions for the finals and reflections on the tournament's significance are also shared.

Dan also discusses the audiences during the finals as well as Coco Gauff being one of the first to speak out about her concerns before coming to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

A really great insight into the behind the scenes of what happens when tennis players make it to these prestigious events in terms of sponsorships, reaching out to brands and much more!

Chapters

00:00 WTA Finals Overview and Key Matches

02:57 Insights from John Morris on Player Management

05:56 Performance Analysis: Players and Conditions

08:45 ATP Finals Preview and Player Insights

11:54 Commercial Importance of ATP Finals

14:43 Cultural Impact of Tennis in Saudi Arabia

17:47 Final Predictions and Closing Thoughts

YouTube: Control the Controllables Podcast

Instagram: ctc.podcast

Twitter (X): ctc_podcast

TikTok: Control the Controllables Podcast

Day 9 WTA Finals Riyadh Round Up talking all about the big topics during the Finals joined by the sister of Erin Routliffe, Tara Routliffe.

Watch LIVE at 8pm GMT DAILY during the WTA Finals on YouTube by searching 'Control the Controllables Podcast'!

These are shorter episodes aiming to provide a round up of the WTA Finals action in Riyadh with coach of WTA Finals doubles pair Gaby Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe!

Make sure to check out the Asian Swing Review FULL EPISODE out on both all podcast platforms and YouTube!

In This Episode:

Dan is joined by Tara Routliffe who is also out in Riyadh and is here who share her experiences and insights from the WTA tournament in Riyadh.

Tara discusses the luxurious treatment of players, the cultural adjustments required in Saudi Arabia, and the importance of humour and camaraderie within the team, sharing insight into Erin Routliffe and Gaby Dabrowski's training camp.

Tara gives a great insight into a different perspective of being at the WTA Finals, supporting her sister and her experience of Riyadh.

The conversation also discusses women's rights in the region, predictions for the tournament, and fan interactions, culminating in Tara's reflections on her time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Finishes with Dan reviewing the latest results, what this means for the rest of the tournament and player to look out for.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Episode

02:29 Tara's Experience in Riyadh

05:18 Insights on Women's Rights and Local Culture

07:23 The Importance of Humor and Team Dynamics

11:08 Quickfire Round: Experiences in Riyadh

16:10 Predictions for the Tournament

18:27 Fan Questions and Lighthearted Moments

24:08 Tara's Favorite Moments and Reflections

26:37 Wrap-Up and Future Plans

YouTube: Control the Controllables Podcast

Instagram: ctc.podcast

Twitter (X): ctc_podcast

TikTok: Control the Controllables Podcast

Day 8 WTA Finals Riyadh Round Up talking all about the big topics during the Finals including Gaby Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe's incredible comeback win against Paolini and Errani.

Which also secures them top of the white group and therefore through to the semi-finals!

Watch LIVE at 8pm GMT DAILY during the WTA Finals on YouTube by searching 'Control the Controllables Podcast'!

These are shorter episodes aiming to provide a round up of the WTA Finals action in Riyadh with coach of WTA Finals doubles pair Gaby Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe!

Make sure to check out the Asian Swing Review FULL EPISODE out on both all podcast platforms and YouTube!

In this episode:

Dan Kiernan discusses the impressive rollercoaster match and comeback of Gaby Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe in their match against Paolini and Errani. He analyses their performance, the tactical shifts made during the match, and the importance of mindset in doubles tennis.

The conversation also touches on the performances of other players, including Jess Pegula and Coco Gauff, and looks ahead to upcoming matches and tournament predictions.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and Reflections on the WTA Finals and Gaby and Erins match

09:20 Tactical Insights: Understanding Opponent Strategies

18:24 Looking Ahead: Upcoming Matches and Predictions

YouTube: Control the Controllables Podcast

Instagram: ctc.podcast

Twitter (X): ctc_podcast

TikTok: Control the Controllables Podcast