My Tennis Journey

Do you ever read a book and love it so much that you go round telling people about it? Like everyone you meet. That’s exactly what happened with myself and Conor Niland’s book The Racket! From his experience as a junior on the tournament circuit (one I know a lot of tennis parents will recognise) to his days on a tennis scholarship in the US to the rollercoaster ride that is the Pro Tour, Conor’s book is a compelling read. If you are anything like me, you’ll finish it in a couple of sittings.

BUY THE RACKET BY CONOR NILAND HERE

https://amzn.to/3Cg6ZAQ

This is the first book review I’ve done on My Tennis Journey - and I hope it will be the first of many. It was inspired by my friends at Ashby Castle Tennis Club who when I went on about the book said we should start a Book Club. This podcast episode is dedicated to my friends at Ashby Castle and all the other friends I have made on the tournament circuit which Conor brings to life so eloquently in the book.

If you’re a player, coach or tennis fan I think you’ll devour this book. It’s no surprise to me that it has been shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year for 2024. It would be a perfect Xmas present for you to give or receive!

The podcast episode is a short one - it gives you six reasons why I think you’ll love the book. Enjoy.

BUY THE RACKET BY CONOR NILAND HERE

https://amzn.to/3Cg6ZAQ

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You might have heard of tennis coach Todd Larkham for a host of reasons.

It was Todd who spotted a young Nick Kyrgios and coached him through to the Pro Tour and beyond. It’s brilliant to hear about that journey on this episode. You may know Todd was some player reaching no.136 in the World and that he played at each and every Grand Slams. Or have you seen Todd is one of the Coaches who feature on the ace Coachlife website which brings hundreds of video lessons from the Junior Coaches of some of tennis’s greatest players? More on Coachlife below.

After listening to this episode, though, I believe you’ll know Todd for giving some of the BESTEST guidance EVER for parents and coaches of aspiring junior tennis players. That’s not a throw away line. I mean it. Todd speaks with experience and from the heart. Whether you are a parent or coach, I 110% believe Todd can help you. Let him just do that by listening now…

As I mentioned above, Todd is one of the coaches on the ace new Coachlife tennis coaching site. The site brings video lessons from the childhood coaches of Swiatek, Gauff, Fritz, Tiafoe and Jack Draper. The guidance dispensed is incredibly useful for parents and coaches. I really recommend you check it out and not just because there is a load more top guidance from Todd!

Visit the Coachlife site here for your free 7 day trial: https://coachlife.com/?ref=TOL

A big thanks to Peter Clarke who set up the Coachlife website and helped put me in touch with Todd.

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Just to be clear, County Cup’s one of my favourite things in the whole wide world. I want to start with this as everything you are going to listen to comes from a starting point of love and wanting to make something that is great even better!

And you see, I do think Junior County Cup (focusing in on 11U, 12U and 14U) can be improved as a result of a couple of flaws - and I’d love to know if you agree and what improvements you’d make to LTA Junior County Cup.

For avoidance of doubt, this is research I’m undertaking. It’s not affiliated to the LTA although I will look to share the findings with the relevant parties at the LTA.

So have a listen and then please please HAVE YOUR SAY by visiting this link: www.serveandvolley.net/my-tennis-journey-podcast/lta-junior-county-cup-lets-make-it-even-better

Sporting parents, coaches and players - today you’re in for a treat! Wayne Goldsmith is an international coaching expert from Australia who has influenced the thinking and teaching of some of the world’s leading athletes, coaching and teams.

But if I’m honest that’s not why I was so excited about speaking to Wayne. The reason I was buzzing to chat with Wayne is because he is my no.1 go to source for wisdom on navigating the challenges of being a sporting parent and a coach too.

As you’ll hear, Wayne gets it. I know at times the journey of a sporting parent can be stressful and downright hard. From a coach perspective, it’s sometimes difficult to know what is important and what isn’t.

The approach which Wayne puts forward in his utterly compelling Aussie fashion has helped me as a parent and as a coach and I believe it can help you too. Enjoy…

Find out more about Wayne and his approach here: https://wgcoaching.com/

And do join me in subscribing to Wayne's YouTube channel too: https://www.youtube.com/wgcoaching

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You know in life there are some people who are amazing at making things happen. Who are driven to get things done. And when it comes to tennis I think Fabio Molle is absolutely one of them.

Fabio runs a successful tennis e-commerce business called Functional Tennis. He came up with an idea for a brilliant tennis product called The Saber which he took from concept to manufacture. A process I loved talking to him about on this episode.

He’s a very successful tennis podcaster - having recorded over 200 episodes of The Functional Tennis podcast - often on a weekly basis. He’s interviewed big stars and he’s also interviewed guests who can give a tremendous insight into the tennis parenting journey.

And Fabio is a prolific social media publisher - indeed his Instagram has over 975k followers - which is testament to the ongoing stream of brilliant content which he publishes.

I loved chatting to Fabio, hearing about his journey, his tips for tennis parents and just how he makes so much happen on Functional Tennis. Enjoy…

To find out more about Fabio, Functional Tennis and his podcast please head here.

For the Functional Tennis Instagram account please visit @functionaltennis

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Amazing adventures can be had by tennis players at American Universities! However, if you’re going to make it a great adventure rather than an OK or not so good adventure you’ve got to plan and prepare effectively. And that is where this episode comes in!

Today’s guest, Marleyna Trifunovic, is in a unique position to tell you all about the US uni experience as she has just returned from three years at Wilmington University in Delaware. Marley’s story and guidance can, I think, give players and / or parents the info they need to know if a US tennis scholarship is right for them, understand what to watch out for and know what you need to do to make it happen. Let the adventures begin…

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This is episode 91 of My Tennis Journey. As you’ll probably know, the vast majority of the episodes have been dedicated to the sport I’ve loved since I first picked up a racket in Skelton in Cumbria aged 9 or 10.

But dear, lovely tennis - I’ve got a confession to make. Whilst as Whitney sang I will always love you - I’ve also fallen for another sport.

And that sport is pickleball.

I’d like to explain why and what I plan to do in the world of pickleball.

I’d also like to tell you one MASSIVE reason why I think pickleball can play a really positive role in our society moving forward.

Let me explain…

What happens when you put one of the world's most famous tennis coaches together with an outstanding neurologist with a passion for our beautiful game?

The answer is a fantastic book that can help shape the approach you take to tennis and the approach you take to life. The book is called Billion Dollar Mind, and in today's episode, we have the two authors.

The coach is the world famous Rick Macci, who featured prominently in the King Richard film as he coached Serena and Venus as juniors, as well as Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova, Jennifer Capriati and a whole host of others, including our other guest, Dr Nivedita (Niva) Uberoi Jerath.

Dr Niva is an accomplished player and an equally accomplished neurologist.

Rick takes us through his approach to tennis and life alongside some amazing anecdotes about his approach with players who went on to become global stars, whilst Dr Niva brings neuroscience based strategies to help you achieve your full potential.

Whether you are a coach, player or parent, if you believe in the power of positivity and want to get practical tips on how to be more positive, I highly recommend the Billion Dollar Mind book and I think you're going to enjoy this episode.

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Calling tennis parents, tennis coaches and tennis people - please do play today’s episode as Alison has an inspirational story and shares inspirational guidance on her tennis journey and her approach to coaching which has kickstarted a love of tennis in some of the UK’s rising stars like Hannah Klugman and Arthur Fery.

From a tennis parent perspective, I loved hearing Alison talk about the importance of the relationship between the coach, the player and the parent too. The importance of being a team together! Can you honestly say that about your relationship with your coach? Alison also talked about how maybe competing week after week here and there and everywhere isn’t necessarily necessary and the importance of fun! Listening will give you some inspiring guidance on the parental journey.

From a coaching (and parental) perspective, there’s so many words of wisdom in this episode from what it takes to be an effective Head Coach to her reflections on coaching Hannah Klugman and Arthur Fery to the characteristics promising juniors share. Fascinating insight after fascinating insight!

From a playing perspective, have I mentioned that Alison has Captained her country?! We’ll cover that too.

As you can probably tell, I’m very excited about this episode! Hope you’ll enjoy it too…

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Ever read a book that has changed the way you think, the way you behave? Today’s interview is with the co-author and a stakeholder in the publication of a brilliant book that has had such an impact on me! 

The book is called Sports Performance Parenting and the co-author in question is Gordon MacLelland from Working With Parents in Sport. This edition of the book is a collaboration with British Gymnastics and joining Gordon and I to talk all things sports performance parenting is Alex McGregor, the Head of Performance Pathway at British Gymnastics. 

The subtitle to the book is Child First - Gymnast Second - A Holisitic Approach To Sports Parenting. To be honest you can easily replace the word Gymnast with Tennis Player as it is a book that is relevant to all sports parents. Its suitability as a read for tennis parents is highlighted by the fact that the introduction is written by Judy Murray. 

As a tennis parent to three players, I know the joy that the tennis journey can bring. I also am very aware of the challenges, the emotional rollercoaster and the tough times. I hope you will find today’s episode as useful as I have for taking on these challenges and making the most of the adventures you have with your players.

The Sports Performance Parenting. book is co-authored by Gordon and Sarah Murray. The edition I read has been published by British Gymnastics. I really do strongly recommend it. Do please click the link to buy a copy of the Sports Performance Parenting book.

Gordon is the CEO and founder of Working with Parents in Sport (WWPIS). Gordon has a background in education and coaching and after a successful career coaching all age groups from U7’s through to adults and running sports programmes in schools, he is now a leading figure in the ‘parental engagement’ space. He is also a sports parent himself of two children who are involved in performance sport and aware of the many challenges that parents face.

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