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The Hammy Show is back in Athens talking Georgia tennis and championship culture 🏆
In this episode, Hammy Culpepper sits down with Drake Bernstein, head coach of Georgia women’s tennis at the University of Georgia, to break down the program’s recent national championship run and what it takes to sustain excellence in college athletics.
Coach Bernstein shares how this young roster grew together through adversity, how team dynamics shaped their title push, and why building chemistry is just as important as forehands and backhands. The conversation dives into modern recruitment, navigating NIL, and how Georgia tennis stays true to its values in a changing landscape.
For Bernstein, success isn’t just about trophies — it’s about growth, culture, and developing strong leaders on and off the court. From recruitment strategy to championship mindset, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what makes Georgia tennis elite.
If you care about Georgia tennis, coaching, NIL, mentorship, and building a championship program in today’s college athletics world — this one’s for you.
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WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
-Drake Bernstein emphasizes the importance of team dynamics, especially with a young roster.
-The recent indoor national championship victory showcased the team's resilience and growth.
-Recruitment focuses on finding players who align with the team's values, not just those seeking NIL opportunities.
-Crowd support plays a crucial role in the team's performance during matches.
-Bernstein aims to instill life lessons in his players beyond tennis skills.
-The SEC's competitive environment prepares teams for national challenges.
-Building a championship culture requires constant adaptation and learning.
-The coaching staff collaborates closely to maximize player performance during matches.
-Athens is celebrated for its vibrant tennis community and support for all sports.
-The resilience behind the national championship season.
-Coaching adjustments in high-pressure NCAA moments.
-Competing in the SEC and preparing for national challenges.
-Mentorship, leadership, and life lessons beyond tennis.
-Success is defined by growth and understanding the bigger picture, not just trophies.
00:00 Introduction to Drake Bernstein and Georgia Tennis
02:57 Clenching the National Championship: A Dramatic Journey
05:59 Team Dynamics: Youth and Experience in Georgia Tennis
08:52 Coaching Philosophy: Adapting to a Young Team
11:58 Recruitment in the Age of NIL and Transfer Portal
15:12 Building Team Chemistry: Domestic vs. International Players
18:01 The Role of the Crowd: Home Advantage in Tennis
20:52 Legacy and Mentorship in Georgia Tennis
24:00 Life Lessons Beyond the Court
26:47 Looking Ahead: Future of Georgia Tennis
30:02 Final Thoughts and Community Support
Guest bio: Following two seasons as head coach of the Georgia women’s tennis team, Drake Bernstein has done a tremendous job of maintaining the program culture and standard set by longtime head coach Jeff Wallace. In year two at the helm, Bernstein led Georgia to a 29-3 overall record with a No. 1 ranking finish after capping off the year with a trio of titles, winning the 2025 NCAA Championship (third in program history), the 2025 ITA National Team Indoor title (fifth in program history) and a third-consecutive SEC Tournament title (11th in program history). Just six matches in to year three, Bernstein’s Bulldogs captured another ITA National Team Indoor championship, taking down Ohio State in dramatic fashion.
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