On the 211th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith has a conversation with Mike Valentine and Mike McLaughlin. The three old men all worked for the late Vic Braden. 

Mike and Mike recently made the journey to the Wintergreen Resort in Wintergreen, Virginia to observe and contribute to Steve's students. They left assured that Steve and his students are still honoring the work of the late Vic Braden. 

The trio reminisce and reflect upon the genius of Braden. By listening, one is assured of laughing and learning.

The life story of Arnaud Guillemard is definitely different. Be ready to go from island living to Paris, college tennis to the oil fields, education to being a young parent, and directing junior and high school tennis tournaments.

Arnaud is Steve Smith's guest on the 210th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast. Ironically 210 is the area code of San Antonio, Texas, the place where Arnaud resides with his wife and two children. 

By listening one will collect more golden nuggets for their tennis treasure chest. Just as important as the pearls of wisdom learned from life lessons are the laughs enjoyed and the perspectives gained.

Thanks for listening.

Melanie Zampardo is Steve Smith's guest on the 209th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast. She spent nine weeks this summer, 2024, serving as an intern.  She survived. 

Decades ago, Steve was told by an experienced tennis-lifer that if one could complete the challenges of a 24/7 boarding tennis camp that he or she would have proven that they could successfully make their way within the tennis industry.

By listening to the episode at hand, one will discover more of an insider's understanding of the GreatBase Tennis pathway. More importantly, one will find Melanie's approach to learning and overall perspective to be refreshing and inspiring. The next generation of tennis teachers and coaches need to be taught and trained for the welfare and growth of our sport.

On the 208th podcast, Steve Smith has a conversation with Spencer Johnson. The two have known each other for just over 10 years. Spencer is now 21 and last year, while playing for UCLA, he was named the PAC 12 Freshman of the Year.

Most GreatBase students are trying to get to college tennis. Spencer, like many college players, now hopes to get to the level where he is playing for a living. By listening one will discover he still is working on the same basics he was taught on his first day under Steve's tutelage. 

As always, the hope of GreatBase Tennis is to share free educational content that will help players, parents, teachers, coaches, and administrators. Thanks for your support.

On the 207th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast Steve Smith and Ivan Ozerets host Scott Perelmen. Their guest recently joined the men's coaching staff at TCU. He brings a ton of experience and a ton of wisdom to the table.

Scott and Steve worked together over forty years ago. They were staff members at the famous Vic Braden Tennis College headquartered at Coto de Caza in Southern California.

Building a winning college program from scratch to being part of a national championship team to watching Ben Shelton grow up highlight the conversation. If one likes to laugh, learn, and live, they will love listening to The Perl.

On the 206th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith and Ivan Ozerets host Matt Knoll. Matt built a championship culture at Baylor University that was highlighted by winning the 2004 NCAA team championship.

Listeners will discover his formula for success. Common sense, grit, and hard work ruled the day. Every parent, player and coach will benefit from the pearls of wisdom and golden nuggets he shares. 

Today Matt helps student-athletes with college placement. Get in contact by visiting https://www.americancollegeplacement.com/contact.

On that 205th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Dave Anderson joins Steve Smith and Ivan Ozerets to talk tennis. They shared thoughts that mostly pertained to the 2024  Wimbledon.

Dave has been based at the Brookhaven Country Club in Dallas for more than 30 years. To make an understatement,  Dave and his staff have made a major impact on the lives of hundreds and hundreds of tennis players. 

We would like to thank Dave for being a regular guest on our podcast. Our supporters have expressed that they have thoroughly enjoyed listening to Dave. 

On the 204th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast Cris Valverde, a teaching pro from Portland, Oregon, asks Steve Smith questions. Cris recently spent a week with Steve at the Wintergreen Resort in Wintergreen, Virginia. He traveled across the US with his two sons for an immersion camp.

To make an understatement, Cris's passion for our sport is second to none. Cris's dedication to improving his craft is truly inspirational. Cris has completed an in-depth study of our curriculum and asked Steve to discuss a wide range of topics.

On the 203rd episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith, Ivan Ozerets and Andres Barbosa talk about tennis from the service line in. The whys and why-nots of going forward in singles and doubles are discussed. 

The statement that one only goes to the net to pick up balls and shake hands used to only apply to little kids at the grass root level. Now the statement applies to all levels of play. 

The disappearance of wooden racquets, the players not wearing spikes on the grass at Wimbledon, and the two-handed backhand becoming commonplace are dated factors. The new theme of  "serve plus one" is instant coffee, a much faster approach than trying to learn to play a complete all-court game. 

As always, we hope our listeners acquire a higher level of understanding of the complexities of tennis by tuning in. We also hope our listeners will find a way to encourage fellow tennis enthusiasts to not fall victim to net phobia.

Sir Hamlin is our guest on episode 202.

Our podcast's fact checker, Andres Barbosa, and several others requested another opportunity to listen to Mark Hamlin. Great choice! 

Steve Smith and Mark have known each other for 60 years this year. Mark, 71, worked directly with Vic Braden and has spent the last 45 years applying fact-based instruction to literally hundreds and hundreds of recreational players. Along the way, the American has also developed national junior champions in Germany.

By listening one will discover that fundamentals stand the test of time and most definitely apply to the best players in the world today. Time after time, Mark hits the mark. No pun intended.