Tennis IQ Podcast

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss perfectionism in tennis. Due to the individual nature of the sport as well as the demands and time requirements of tennis, it is a sport that tends to attract people with perfectionist qualities. The co-hosts review the benefits of perfectionism, including work ethic and potential for high achievement, but also provide strategies for tennis players, coaches, and parents to combat the negative aspects of perfectionism.

Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership
To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis you can email us at [email protected]. If you’re enjoying the show please rate us on your favorite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts and Spotify and write a review. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes.

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the benefits of consistency in tennis. Oftentimes, consistency is brought up in reference to players being able to make as many shots in a row as possible, however this is only a part of the concept of consistency in tennis. The co-hosts review other aspects of playing consistently, including how to consistently play aggressively, and successfully implement your patterns and tactics. Lastly, they discuss how consistent effort and intensity over time leads to significant improvement over time.

Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership
To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis you can email us at [email protected]. If you’re enjoying the show please rate us on your favorite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts and Spotify and write a review. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes.

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the philosophical concept of suffering and how it applies to persevering and focus in a match. The more that players understand they must suffer through the ups and downs of a match, the more ready they will be when a moment of opportunity arrives. Additionally, the hosts review how taking responsibility for your own game and performance leads to greater results over time rather than looking for excuses.

Mentioned within the episode:
Ep. 26 - The Power of Routines
CNN Article on Rafael Nadal - “This world-class athlete talks like Aristotle and acts like Confucius. We can all learn from him” - https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/27/world/rafael-nadal-philosophy-blake-cec/index.html
Nadal press conference match against Dominic Thiem in 2018 US Open - https://youtu.be/T4wJIa9C5qk
Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership
To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis you can email us at [email protected]. If you’re enjoying the show please rate us on your favorite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts and Spotify and write a review. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes.

Carrie Jackson is a performance and mental training expert, a Certified Mental Performance Consultant, and the author of On Top of Your Game: Mental Skills to Maximize Your Athletic Performance. Her insights have been featured in multiple media outlets including Runner’s World, Outside Magazine, New York Times, Washington Post, U.S. News and World Report, and Huffington Post to name a few. She is one of the world’s foremost authorities on the mental and emotional challenges of recovering from injury. She co-authored the book Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries and is the co-host of the widely regarded podcast The Injured Athletes Club.
As a coach and consultant, she has worked with thousands of athletes and coaches on mastering their mindsets so they can perform with less pressure, more consistency, and enjoy the process. Through her coaching programs and the Rebound membership, she brings mindset training tools to athletes that help them shift their focus from anxiety and self-doubt to resilience and confidence. Carrie is on a mission to help athletes challenge their limiting beliefs, regain confidence in their gifts and fall in love with their sport again.
Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership
To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis you can email us at [email protected]. If you’re enjoying the show please rate us on your favorite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts and Spotify and write a review. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes.

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how discipline with good habits tend to decreases over time. The co-hosts review why this can happen to players, and suggest mindsets and mental tools that players can utilize to try to address this. Approaches discussed included journaling, self-talk, and utilizing a long-term development plan to track your progress.

Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership
To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at [email protected] or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes.

We are very excited to announce a new model of support for the Tennis IQ Podcast through Patreon along with some great benefits!

This support for the podcast is month-to-month and you can end your support at any time.

The first master class in April will be open to all support levels and all listeners. We will be posting the registration link for the class on a number of social channels as well as in the show notes and on our Patreon page.

The first book club discussion in June will also be open to all. We'll announce the book for the quarter soon, and we'll promote the registration link on social media as well as on our Patreon page.

Feel free to reach out to us via email at [email protected] with any questions.

To become a Patron and support our podcast please go to: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast.

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how tennis players can excel in tryout situations. These tryouts could include evaluations for high school, college, or club teams, and the experience can be similar to the increased pressures felt during important moments in matches. Topics examined include the impact of comparisons with other players, how to use breathing techniques and progressive muscle relaxation to release physical tension, and ways to keep things in perspective by focusing on long-term goals instead of fixating too much on the tryout itself.

Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership
To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at [email protected] or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes.

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the psychological differences between practice and playing competitive matches. Often, players will report that they have a tougher time playing as well during matches as they do during practices, and the co-hosts consider reasons for that, and suggest tactics and mindsets that players can use during matches to help them perform better. Additionally, they talk about differences in intensity and effort between practice and matches, and review how players can try to simulate competitive environments during practice. Lastly, they examine the benefits of playing more matches and practice sets, and offer suggestions for how players can look to build more competition into their practice time.

Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss developing body awareness via relaxation training. Many tennis players experience physical tightness while playing in matches and struggle to release the tension in their bodies. The co-hosts review strategies that tennis players can utilize to increase their relaxation and awareness in order to raise their chances of performing well.

Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership

In this episode, Brian and Josh review Break Point, a recent documentary series on Netflix about the ATP and WTA tours. The co-hosts discussed multiple sport psychology themes that emerged throughout the series. These themes included the importance of building an effective team around a player, dealing with expectations, the importance of mental toughness on the professional tours, and “locker room power” - the intimidating presence of top players on tour.

Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership