Control the Controllables

Taro Daniel is an American-Japanese pro tennis player and Olympian who´s reached a career high of 58 in the world.

He joins Dan to chat through his tennis journey from his upbringing in Japan, the United States and Spain, to wins over some of the biggest names in the sport including Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Casper Ruud & Ben Shelton.

Taro speaks openly about the highs and lows of constantly touring, the challenges of maintaining mental health in a competitive environment, and how tennis has changed post-COVID.

Episode Highlights:

• The importance of team dynamics and personal relationships in navigating the ups and downs of his career.
• Find out the big changes he´s witnessed on the tour since going pro in 2010.
• The advantages some junior payers had in their training being born in the noughties compared to the nineties!
• Taro tells us his toughest ever opponent and who he likes playing the least.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:-

• Follow Taro Daniel on Instagram
• SotoTennis Academy
• Episode 25: John Millman

You can now watch clips and full episodes of Control the Controllables on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ctc.podcast

What a French Open we were given this year, with what many are calling the greatest final of all time between Carlos Alcaraz & Jannik Sinner!

In this episode, our Grand Slam panelists break down all the action from Roland Garros which saw Alcaraz & Coco Gauff crowned Singles Champions.

GB´s Neal Skupski also makes a special appearance after reaching the final of the Men´s Doubles with fellow Brit Joe Salisbury.

Joining CTC host Dan Kiernan are:-

Freddie Nielsen: 2012 Wimbledon Men's Doubles Champion, Denmark´s Davis Cup Captain and coach to Elmer Møller.

Kieron Vorster: Top Strength and Conditioning coach who´s worked with Dan Evans, Liam Broady and Sorana Cirstea.

Episode Highlights include:-

• The significance of the incredible mens final on tennis history.
• Sinner´s resilience despite losing the final.
• Neal Skupski shares valuable insights from his fortnight in Paris.
• How rivalries in tennis can be friendly yet competitive.
• Coco Gauff's victory showcased her potential as a star for now and the future.
• Sabalenka's reaction post-match raised questions about sportsmanship.
• Lois Boisson’s amazing run to the semi-finals and climbing 296 places the WTA rankings.
• British success in wheelchair tennis & the juniors.

If you enjoy this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more tennis players, coaches and parents who need these insights.

Mentioned in this episode:

Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾

For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.

TennisAthlete

Spain has dominated tennis for more than 2 decades, but is their reign finally coming to an end?

The country has seen a drop in the number of top 100 players in both the mens and women´s game.

In today´s episode we speak to US Coach Chris Lewit who has spent the past 20 years studying Spanish tennis to discuss why this is. We look at the current state and future of tennis in Spain, the impact of more international players training in the country, and why he thinks modernising training methodologies is needed to keep Spain dominant on the world stage.

Topics we look into include:

• Generational shifts in attitudes towards tennis.
• Has training more international players rather than native Spaniards had an affect?
• The serve is often neglected in traditional Spanish training.
• Does this generation of players have the willingness to suffer and sacrifice like Nadal did?
• Does Carlos Alcaraz represent a new generation of Spanish players with a different style?
• The future of Spanish tennis depends on evolving methodologies and focusing on grassroots development.

Links Mentioned in this episode:-

• Check out Chris Lewit´s book: The Secrets of Spanish Tennis
• Support Dan´s 15K Your Way Challenge to raise money for Alzheimer´s Society UK
• Follow Control the Controllables on Instagram to keep up with all the latest on the show!
• Find out more about SotoTennis Academy in Spain!

Mentioned in this episode:

Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾

For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.

TennisAthlete

As the 2025 French Open gets underway today, we´ve brought our Grand Slam panellists together to discuss everything we can expect from the next two weeks at Roland Garros.

Can Alcaraz become the new King of Clay after Nadal´s retirement? Will Iga Swiatek win her 4th title in a row in Paris? With so many American men in the draw, will we see our first US Men´s Champion since Agassi in 1999?

Our panellists join Dan to chat through these questions, their picks for the title and dark horses to watch out for, plus much more in today´s episode.

Our Preview panel includes:-

• Denmark´s Davis Cup Captain and 2012 Wimbledon Mens Doubles Champion Freddie Nielsen.
• Sports broadcaster and former CNN anchor Candy Reid
• GB Coach Calvin Betton who is currently working with Henry Patten.
• Top tennis strength and conditioning coach and CTC legend Kieron Vorster

We want to hear who you think will be this year's French Open champions! Tag @ctc.podcast on Instagram or Twitter  or drop us an email to let us know who you´re backing!

Mentioned in this episode:

Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾

For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.

TennisAthlete

In today´s episode we speak to Ethan Quinn, a young up and coming American player who´s edging closer to breaking into the top 100 in the world.

The 21-year-old from California is a former number 1 US junior, and in 2023 won the NCAA men´s singles title in his Freshman year at the University of Georgia. He decided to go pro that summer.

Ethan shares how he´s navigating the challenges of the professional circuit, how fellow American Tommy Paul has helped him and what it´s like playing against some of the biggest stars in tennis, Carloz Alcaraz & Fonseka!

This is a great listen for young players!

Episode Highlights:-

🎾 Ethan talks about the importance of mental resilience in tennis.

🎾 He discusses why he thinks American players struggle on clay.

🎾 The importance of role models in his life including his coaches and players like Tommy Paul.

🎾 Ethan discusses the challenges he faced early in his career and why he believes in controlling the controllables!

🎾 He stresses the importance of being coachable and learning from experiences.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:-

• Follow Ethan Quinn on Instagram
• Follow Control the Controllables on Instagram to keep up with all the latest on the show!

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more tennis players, coaches and parents who need these insights.

Mentioned in this episode:

Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾

For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.

TennisAthlete

In today´s episode, Dan speaks to the President of the LTA, Sandi Procter.

Sandi shares her journey from a PE coach to a leading figure in British tennis. She was instrumental in introducing the now world-wide mini tennis red, orange and green system, as well as the LTA´s Tennis Leaders programme.

Sandi also discusses the importance of empowering women in tennis and the need for adaptability in coaching. Sandi is a brilliant example of where the sport of tennis can take you, and how you can inspire others. Enjoy!

Episode highlights:-

🎾 What inspired Sandi to come up with the red, orange, and green balls system which has transformed mini tennis.

🎾 How she found love through tennis and how it led to her unexpected transition into coaching.

🎾 How empowering young leaders in tennis is crucial for the sport's future.

🎾 How technology is reshaping how tennis is played and coached.

🎾 Can tennis coexist with emerging sports like Pickleball and Padel?

🎾 Sandi´s vision for the future of tennis and the importance of community involvement in the sport.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:-

• Follow Sandi on Instagram
• Watch the "best mini tennis point ever"
• Follow Control the Controllables on Instagram to keep up with all the latest on the show!

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more tennis players, coaches and parents who need these insights.

Mentioned in this episode:

Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾

For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.

TennisAthlete

Jules Rojer is the definition of a warrior on the ATP Tour.

A doubles specialist from the small Caribbean island of Curaco, Rojer´s tennis career has already spanned more than 20 years, winning 37 doubles titles and 4 Grand Slams along the way.

Rojer has been as high as world number 3 in doubles. He won his first Men’s doubles Grand Slam at the age of 35 at Wimbledon, and his 3rd aged 41 in Paris in 2021. In today´s episode he shares his story that has led to this point.

Jules tells us about:-

• The early influences that helped shape his mindset and work ethic on his home island of Curaçao.
• The influence and emotion attached to parental love and support.
• How winning isn't the only measure of success in sports.
• How doubles has changed during his career.

Jules is a storyteller, and this episode is filled with stories that will make you laugh, smile and the odd tear! But most of all you will learn what it takes to create a champion when the odds are stacked against you, and how you do that whilst maintaining a healthy and humble attitude towards life.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:-

• Folllow Jules Roger on Instagram
• Listen to Valorie Kondos Field on Control the Controllables.
• Follow Control the Controllables on Instagram to keep up with all the latest on the show!

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more tennis players, coaches and parents who need these insights.

Mentioned in this episode:

Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾

For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.

TennisAthlete

In today´s episode, Dan is joined by friend and former colleague at SotoTennis Academy, Adam Blicher.

Adam shares his journey through tennis coaching, health challenges, and the release of his book 'Winning Words'.

He reflects on the importance of managing expectations in tennis, the role of parents and coaches, and the impact of his battle with cancer on his perspective.

Adam emphasises the need for balance in ambition and the significance of understanding yourself in the coaching profession. This is a great listen for tennis coaches!

Episode highlights includes:.

• 🎾 Adam talks about writing 'Winning Words' and why it was a significant milestone in his career.
• 🎾 What it means to be a coach and what it takes.
• 🎾 Adam describes how he coped with the being told his cancer treatment had a 25% success rate.
• 🎾 The role of parents in a player's journey.
• 🎾 Becoming a husband and a father when he didn’t think it was possible 
• 🎾 The landscape of tennis is rapidly changing, requiring adaptation.

Connect with us:-

• Watch videos from Adam´s episode on Instagram & YouTube
• Check out Adam's Book: Winning Words
• Read more about Adam here

Mentioned in this episode:

Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾

For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.

TennisAthlete

Our 250th episode of Control the Controllables is here and it’s a special episode all about doubles!

Dan is joined by doubles analyst, founder of Tennis Tribe and the Doubles Only podcast host, Will Boucek. With this episode also being a collaboration episode over both podcasts!

In this conversation, Dan Kiernan and Will discuss the current state and future of doubles in tennis. They explore the origins of their passion for doubles, the challenges it faces, and the innovative experiences that could enhance its appeal. 

They also discuss: 

🎾 Why doubles is often overlooked - but has huge potential.

🎾 New ways to attract more fans to the game.

🎾 How commercial pressures shape the future of doubles.

🎾 The power of emotional connection in growing the sport.

🎾 Why embracing vulnerability can help doubles players build an audience.

🎾 The need for adaptability and innovation to ensure its success.

Listen and enjoy!

Links to Will Bouceks pages:

https://thetennistribe.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thetennistribe/

https://x.com/WillBoucek

Mentioned in this episode:

Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾

For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.

TennisAthlete

Coach Conor Casey is an influencer with over 85,000 Instagram followers, known for his hilarious and relatable tennis content.

His comedic clips have taken the tennis world by storm - if you play or follow the sport, you’ve probably seen (and laughed at) his videos!

A former US college player originally from Canada, Conor is a tennis coach who sees content as a powerful tool for growing the sport.

In this episode, we cover:

• Junior and College Tennis – Conor shares his love for college tennis, his experiences playing at Ohio State, and what he believes needs to change in the system.
• The Rise of a Content Creator – How he built his Instagram following through tennis-themed comedy, including viral characters like ‘Rosemary’ and ‘Raw Dog’.
• Sitcom Writing & Acting – From writing for sitcoms and comedians like Vince Vaughn to starring in the highly rated film BlackBerry.
• Coaching & Rediscovering Tennis – How stepping into coaching reignited his passion for tennis and led to a unique blend of comedy and sport.
• Future Aspirations – His plans to publish a book, expand his content, and explore TV and film projects centered around tennis.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:-

Connect with us : Website | Instagram | Email us

Follow Coach Casey on Instagram and Youtube

Follow Coach Casey on Substack to read chapters from his upcoming college tennis comedy memoir:https://substack.com/@tenniscoachconorcasey

Mentioned in this episode:

Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾

For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.

TennisAthlete