Are College Tennis Players Using the Wrong Racquets?

In Episode #6, we sit down with racquet customization expert Roman Prokes of RPNY @ Farm & Forge to discuss one of the most overlooked factors in college player performance: equipment. From incoming recruits arriving with vastly different racquet setups to the challenges coaches face supporting an entire roster, we explore how proper customization can impact performance, confidence, and even injury prevention.

Roman shares common equipment mistakes he sees among college players, explains why "pro setups" are not always the right choice, and breaks down how coaches can create a more consistent equipment strategy across their teams. We also discuss the role of racquet testing, string selection, manufacturer relationships, and the competitive advantages that come from having players properly dialed in.

Whether you're a college coach, player, parent, or gear enthusiast, this conversation offers valuable insight into an often-overlooked part of the game.

00:00 Intro

00:30 Why Equipment Holds Teams Back

02:59 The Mistakes College Players Keep Making

04:17 How Top Programs Gain an Edge

06:47 What Sponsors Don't Tell You

07:45 Behind the Scenes with Racquet Brands

12:02 The Advantage Most Teams Miss

What does racquet customization actually mean—and who is it for?

In Episode #5, we sit down with Roman Prokes of RPNY @ Farm & Forge for a conversation on racquet customization: what it is, why it matters, and how even small adjustments can completely change the way a racquet feels and performs.

Roman breaks down the many layers of customization—from weight, balance, swing weight, grip size, grip shape, and string setup to matching multiple frames so they play identically. He also shares how customization differs from player to player, common misconceptions around racquet specs, and what players are often most surprised to learn when they see the numbers behind their racquet.

Whether you're a competitive player looking for more precision, someone searching for the right setup, or simply curious about what goes into building a racquet around an athlete, this episode offers an inside look at the details that can make all the difference.

If you enjoy the episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and follow along for more conversations on tennis performance, equipment, and player development. ⁠#ForgeIn

⁠0:00 Intro

0:24 What Is Racquet Customization?

2:44 Weight, Balance & Performance

3:23 How Players Customize Their Frames

5:12 Grip & Handle Customization

7:44 Matching Racquets for Consistency

10:03 Replacing a Favorite Racquet

11:24 Racquet Myths & Common Surprises

14:59 Racquet Length & Extended Frames

16:19 Cosmetic Customization

16:55 Outro

At RPNY Tennis @ Farm & Forge, we’re always focused on helping players unlock their best. In Episode #4, we sit down with legendary racquet technician Roman Prokes to break down his Racquet Evaluation Process—what it is, how it works, and why it can completely change a player’s game.

From beginners to pros (including players like Sloane Stephens), Roman explains how finding the right racquet isn’t just about feel—it’s about performance, efficiency, and what your opponent experiences on the other side of the court.

Think of it like finding your wand in Harry Potter… when it’s right, you know.

Whether you’re a competitive athlete, a college program, or just someone who loves the game, this conversation will change how you think about your equipment. #ForgeIn

00:00 Intro

00:13 What is the Racquet Evaluation Process?

02:10 How the Process Works

04:30 Why the Opponent Matters

06:45 Finding the “Right” Racquet

10:35 Who It’s For + Session Types

13:30 Role of Coaches & Hitting Partners

15:00 Dialing In: Strings, Tension, Specs

18:00 Precision & Matching Racquets

19:00 Pro Player Case Studies

22:40 Why Equipment Matters More Than You Think

25:55 Treating Every Player Like a Pro

27:30 Closing + What’s Next

In Episode 3 of the RPNY Podcast, we take a closer look at extended-length tennis racquets — why some players go beyond the standard 27 inches, who actually benefits, and where the tradeoffs begin.

Roman Prokes, world-renowned racquet technician and founder of RPNY Tennis, explores how racquet length evolved, why 27 inches became the modern norm, and what longer frames really change on court — from added reach and serve leverage to increased demands on footwork and timing. This episode challenges common assumptions about racquet length and offers a more thoughtful framework for players, coaches, and parents thinking about extended frames and long-term development.

Subscribe for more conversations on equipment, performance, and smarter tennis decisions.

0:00 Intro

0:27 Extended Racquets Overview

3:23 Who Should Use a Longer Racquet?

6:48 Serve Benefits

8:15 Middle Ground

9:30 Advantages of Longer Racquets

11:39 27 vs 27.5 Inches

13:01 Pro Player Examples

14:03 Outro

In Episode 2 of The RPNY Podcast, we take a deep dive into junior racquets, equipment progression, and injury prevention—and why small details matter far more than most people realize.Roman Prokes, world-renowned racquet technician and founder of RPNY Tennis explains why juniors shouldn’t “grow into” full-size racquets—and how smart, gradual equipment changes can reduce injury risk and support long-term development.

This episode connects the dots between racquet sizing, grip size, weight placement, string choice, and volume of play—showing how smart equipment decisions can remove unnecessary variables and reduce stress on growing bodies.

Whether you’re a parent navigating junior tennis, a coach guiding player development, or an athlete looking to stay healthy long-term, this episode offers practical, expert insight you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe for more conversations with industry leaders inside the Farm & Forge ecosystem!

#ForgeIn

00:00 Introduction

00:14 Why Junior Racquets Matter

02:08 Junior Racquet Sizes Explained

04:20 Why Small Changes Matter for Pros (and Kids)

06:38 How to Progress Racquet Size Safely

08:02 Grip Size Mistakes with Junior Players

10:11 Equipment Changes & Injury Risk

14:39 Grip Size as Kids Grow

18:10 How Equipment Affects the Opponent

20:21 Strings for Junior Players

25:37 When Poly Becomes an Option

29:18 Racquet Weight vs Maneuverability

31:27 Where to Add Weight for Power or Control

33:31 Final Thoughts

In this episode, we sit down with Roman Prokes, world-renowned racquet technician and founder of RPNY, to talk about his move from New York to Tennessee and what it’s been like becoming part of the Farm & Forge ecosystem.Roman shares his first impressions of Tennessee, the people, and the culture—and what ultimately led him to bring RPNY to Farm & Forge.

We dive into the evolution of the facility, the vision for what’s being built, and how this unique environment fosters both elite performance and a true family atmosphere. This episode marks the first time we’ve showcased RPNY as part of Farm & Forge on the channel—and it’s just the beginning.

Follow for future episodes and conversations at the intersection of performance, craft, and culture! #ForgeIn

00:00 Intro

00:11 Roman's move to Tennessee

01:25 First Impressions of Tennessee

03:00 The People & Community at Farm & Forge

04:29 Why Farm & Forge Was the Right Fit

06:05 The Vision for the Facility

07:24 From The Barn to the New Building

08:40 Inside the RPNY Shop at Farm & Forge

11:27 A True Family Environment

In this episode of the Farm & Forge Podcast, we pull back the curtain on how we do school — and why it looks nothing like the traditional model. Joined by our lovely teachers, we walk through what a real day looks like for students at Farm & Forge, how online academics and in-person support work together, and why personalization is at the center of everything we do.

This conversation is for parents rethinking education, educators curious about alternative models, and families searching for an environment where students don’t just do school — they own it. #ForgeIn

00:00 Introduction

00:30 “How We Do School”

01:06 Why This Model Is So Different

05:15 Hands-On Learning in an Online Model

08:27 Passion-Based Education Explained

09:56 Building STEM, Coding, and Future Skills

10:51 What a Typical Day Looks Like

13:45 Balancing Academics and Athletics

15:19 Travel, Absences, and Real-Life Flexibility

18:22 Student Ownership and Self-Motivation

21:09 Preparing Students for College Independence

22:15 Playing Sports at Local Public Schools

23:19 College Admissions, Merit, and Opportunity

24:30 Why Teachers Took the Risk

25:37 Challenges of Teaching in This Model

27:00 Test Prep

29:03 Meaningful Assessment (No Busywork)

33:34 Using AI as a Tool—Not a Crutch

35:30 What Kind of Student Thrives Here

38:58 Online School Partnerships Explained

40:39 Stories That Define the Culture

44:12 Keeping Kids Excited About School

45:25 Community, Leadership, and Belonging

49:23 Closing Thoughts

In this episode of the Farm & Forge Podcast, we introduce you to the educators behind the work. Robert Garrett sits down with our 3 lovely teachers—Mrs. Miyake, Mrs. Harper, and Mrs. Pickman—to share their backgrounds, their journeys through education, and what ultimately led them to Farm & Forge. From decades in public and private schools to engineering, homeschooling, tutoring, and leadership roles, each brings a unique perspective on teaching and learning.

The conversation explores why these educators chose to step away from traditional models, what drew them to something so different, and how Farm & Forge allows them to focus on what they love most: teaching students, building relationships, and saying “yes” more often than “no.”

This episode is all about people, purpose, and perspective—and gives a deeper look into the culture that defines Farm & Forge. Subscribe for future episodes as we continue exploring how we do school, how we support students, and how education can work differently.

#ForgeIn

00:00 Introduction

00:49 Meet Mrs. Miyake — Science

03:39 Meet Mrs. Harper — English

07:28 Meet Mrs. Pickman — Math

14:14 How Each Teacher Found Farm & Forge

17:00 “Is This Job Real?”

18:53 Robert Garrett’s Background

21:56 Family, Parenting & Perspective

24:02 Saying "Yes" More Than "No" in Education

24:36 Teachers on Family & Life Outside School

26:15 Community, Gratitude & Balance

29:08 Closing Thoughts

Welcome to Episode 3 of the Farm & Forge Podcast!

This week, we go deep with our Human Performance leaders, Brian Kula and Cody Hughes, as they share their journey, philosophies, and vision for athlete development. From speed-priority programming to multi-sport performance, injury prevention, and building confidence in young athletes, this episode uncovers what it truly means to train athletes for life—and not just sport. Whether you’re a parent, coach, or athlete, this episode shows how world-class human performance is built from the ground up.

#ForgeIn

0:00 Intro

0:10 Meet Brian Kula

1:41 Meet Cody Hughes

4:50 Launching the Farm & Forge Project

8:03 Speed Priority: Why Tennis Athletes Sprint

11:37 Strength, Power & Movement Philosophy

14:51 Sprinting and Strength Training Timing

17:02 Multidirectional Speed & Sport-Specific Work

19:53 Vision for the Performance & Recovery Center

21:15 Facility Tour: Turf, Weight Room & Technology

23:33 Physical Therapy & Injury Prevention

24:54 Recovery Center: Cryo, Hyperbaric & More

26:20 Sport-Agnostic Training for All Athletes

28:55 Closing Thoughts

Welcome to the inaugural podcast of The Farm & Forge Club! In this episode, we sit down with Tiffany Milner and Matias Marin to dive deeper into their tennis journeys, the philosophy behind Farm & Forge Tennis, and what it takes to build a world-class training environment rooted in culture, character, and long-term athlete development.

From junior tennis to college championships to the future of tennis facilities, this episode is all about building something that lasts.#ForgeIn

00:00 Intro

00:34 Tiffany Milner

06:45 Matias Marin

16:50 Farm & Forge Tennis Philosophy

24:30 Why Juniors Matter

31:30 Facility Vision & Technology

36:30 Full-Time Academy Overview

42:00 Building Culture Before Buildings

49:00 Closing Thoughts