Welcome to the Prodigy Maker Show Episode 71, where we dive deep into the world of Spanish Tennis and the extraordinary journey of Carlos Alcaraz. In this captivating interview with Chris Lewit, featured on NPR, we explore the secrets behind Spain's tennis success and the rise of this young sensation.Chris reveals the intriguing history of Spanish Tennis, shedding light on why this small country has dominated the tennis world. Discover the unique training methods that have shaped countless champions and find out how Alcaraz emerged as a star player, with his developmental team playing a crucial role.Join us as we explore whether Alcaraz's skills shine brighter on hard courts or clay courts. Chris also highlights the evolution of Spanish tennis development and shares insights into the changing landscape of tennis academies in Spain.Don't miss out on this comprehensive interview that unravels the captivating story of Carlos Alcaraz and offers valuable insights into the renowned Spanish Tennis phenomenon. It's time to say "Vamos!" and embark on a journey through the rich tapestry of Spanish tennis excellence.

🎾 The Prodigy Maker Tennis Show (PMTS) explores the intersection of junior tennis development, cutting-edge sport science, fitness, health, and human performance. Hosted by world-renowned coach Chris Lewit — author of The Secrets of Spanish Tennis and Winning Pretty, and developer of numerous No. 1 juniors in the U.S. — PMTS brings together coaching wisdom, research, and technology to shape the future of tennis and human performance.

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🌐 https://shows.acast.com/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/about

📖 Books: The Secrets of Spanish Tennis | Winning Pretty

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As a parent or coach, you want to help your kids or players perform their best at tournaments. While there are many factors that go into tournament success, there are some simple strategies that can make a big difference. Here are some tips to help your kids win more at tournaments:- Pre-match, peri-match, and post-match nutrition- Warming-up routines- Why you should never sleep close to the match time- How parents should be careful about stressing their kids- Three approaches to cheating- Changeover routines- Tennis strategy- Post-match recover techniques- Timing and planning for the next match- Importance of debriefing- Using a pool vs hot tub- Importance of showerFollow Chris at these websites and social media linksWebsite: www.chrislewit.com Blog: www.ProdigyMaker.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/ChrisLewitTennisAcademyTwitter: www.twitter.com/chrislewitLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/chris-lewit-tennis-academyInstagram: www.instagram.com/chrislewittennis/YouTube: www.youtube.com/ChrisLewit

🎾 The Prodigy Maker Tennis Show (PMTS) explores the intersection of junior tennis development, cutting-edge sport science, fitness, health, and human performance. Hosted by world-renowned coach Chris Lewit — author of The Secrets of Spanish Tennis and Winning Pretty, and developer of numerous No. 1 juniors in the U.S. — PMTS brings together coaching wisdom, research, and technology to shape the future of tennis and human performance.

👉 Subscribe and listen on

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/id1456148452

https://open.spotify.com/show/3Wu0PXf9IXneu0ogrzujZN

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR2QscfBfEs9dtttR6XNhduNlWYmZIfy-

🌐 https://shows.acast.com/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/about

📖 Books: The Secrets of Spanish Tennis | Winning Pretty

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the Prodigy Maker Show, Chris discusses the positives and negatives of the one-handed backhand. He will also answer questions from the audience and talk about how fewer top pros are using a one-handed backhand in the top 100 WTA and ATP tours.Learn about the following topics on the show:- How many female players in the top 100 currently use a one-handed backhand. You may be shocked!- How many male players in the top 100 currently use a one-handed backhand.- Tsitsipas's weak one-hander versus Djokovic's strong two-hander- The primary advantages of the two-handed backhand over the one-hander- Important biomechanical and physiological differences between the one and two-handed backhands- Modern one-handed grip structure- The primary reasons that the one-hander is less and less effective on the pro tour- Myths about the advantages of the one-handed backhandSend any development or tennis questions directly to Chris at [email protected] to be answered on the upcoming show! Thanks to the loyal audience for all your support and for your shares! Thanks for your thumbs up and likes. Thanks for your 5-star reviews on Apple Podcasts!Vamos!

🎾 The Prodigy Maker Tennis Show (PMTS) explores the intersection of junior tennis development, cutting-edge sport science, fitness, health, and human performance. Hosted by world-renowned coach Chris Lewit — author of The Secrets of Spanish Tennis and Winning Pretty, and developer of numerous No. 1 juniors in the U.S. — PMTS brings together coaching wisdom, research, and technology to shape the future of tennis and human performance.

👉 Subscribe and listen on

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/id1456148452

https://open.spotify.com/show/3Wu0PXf9IXneu0ogrzujZN

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR2QscfBfEs9dtttR6XNhduNlWYmZIfy-

🌐 https://shows.acast.com/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/about

📖 Books: The Secrets of Spanish Tennis | Winning Pretty

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris talks tournament tennis and UTR, USTA and other systems. Chris discusses the seemingly omniscient UTR algorithm and the omnipresent UTR organization—and how they are like gods. And how players and parents can see UTR ratings like a religion. On the show Chris discusses the following topics:—Why the application of ratings and rankings can be deleterious for some players—The unhealthy obsession kids have with UTR and dangers of the current tournament scene—How parents are sabotaging their kids character and long-term tennis development by hyperfocusing on UTR—How parents can better manage the current tournament landscape —Ducking in tournaments—Withdrawals in tournaments—Chris talks about the flaws of USTA tournaments and tournament structure—How UTR rating has become a de facto tennis SAT score —The way Chris used to play tournaments and check his ranking back in the day—Chris’s SAT score! Curious?—The parallels between the rise of UTR and the rise of Pickleball —Why tennis will whoop Pickleball’s ass any day And much more!Chris is now training players in the paradise of Manchester, Vermont at his club full-time and year-round. He is also still coaching privately in the NYC area.Come train with him in Vermont at the academy or one-on-one in NY!Vamos!Thanks to the loyal audience for all your support and for your shares!Thanks for your thumbs up and likes. Thanks for your 5 star reviews on Apple Podcasts!—Follow Chris at these websites and social media linksWebsite: www.chrislewit.com Blog: www.ProdigyMaker.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/ChrisLewitTennisAcademyTwitter: www.twitter.com/chrislewitLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/chris-lewit-tennis-academyInstagram: www.instagram.com/chrislewittennis/YouTube: www.youtube.com/ChrisLewit

🎾 The Prodigy Maker Tennis Show (PMTS) explores the intersection of junior tennis development, cutting-edge sport science, fitness, health, and human performance. Hosted by world-renowned coach Chris Lewit — author of The Secrets of Spanish Tennis and Winning Pretty, and developer of numerous No. 1 juniors in the U.S. — PMTS brings together coaching wisdom, research, and technology to shape the future of tennis and human performance.

👉 Subscribe and listen on

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/id1456148452

https://open.spotify.com/show/3Wu0PXf9IXneu0ogrzujZN

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR2QscfBfEs9dtttR6XNhduNlWYmZIfy-

🌐 https://shows.acast.com/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/about

📖 Books: The Secrets of Spanish Tennis | Winning Pretty

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is It Healthy To Instagram My Tennis Kid? Prodigy Maker Show Episode 67It’s a hot topic in the high performance junior tennis world: Is it healthy to Instagram your tennis kid? Chris wades into the debate. On the show he discusses the positives and negatives of featuring a child’s tennis on social platforms. Chris analyzes the following topics:—The different levels of social media sharing: Casual, Proud Parent, and Social Influencer —The risks associated with each level or sharing—Is it ethical to try and monetize your kid’s tennis?—What are some of the common ways parents can monetize the success of their tennis kid on socials?—The crazy world we live in where everything is filmed, photographed and put online —What would Toni Nadal say about Instagraming a kid’s tennis?—The safest way to share a kid’s tennis on socials with the least risk—Should your child be plugged into the social media posts or kept in the dark?—How this age of tech has spawned a new type of tennis influencer parent—Why we shouldn’t be quick to judge some parents for attempting to brand and monetize their kidThis is the beginning of a larger discussion. Please send Chris your comments and questions about social media and tennis kids. Thanks to the loyal audience for all your support and for your shares!Thanks for your thumbs up and likes. Thanks for your 5 star reviews on Apple Podcasts!Please subscribe to the show!—Follow Chris at these websites and social media linksWebsite: www.chrislewit.com Blog: www.ProdigyMaker.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/ChrisLewitTennisAcademyTwitter: www.twitter.com/chrislewitLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/chris-lewit-tennis-academyInstagram: www.instagram.com/chrislewittennis/YouTube: www.youtube.com/ChrisLewit iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

🎾 The Prodigy Maker Tennis Show (PMTS) explores the intersection of junior tennis development, cutting-edge sport science, fitness, health, and human performance. Hosted by world-renowned coach Chris Lewit — author of The Secrets of Spanish Tennis and Winning Pretty, and developer of numerous No. 1 juniors in the U.S. — PMTS brings together coaching wisdom, research, and technology to shape the future of tennis and human performance.

👉 Subscribe and listen on

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/id1456148452

https://open.spotify.com/show/3Wu0PXf9IXneu0ogrzujZN

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR2QscfBfEs9dtttR6XNhduNlWYmZIfy-

🌐 https://shows.acast.com/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/about

📖 Books: The Secrets of Spanish Tennis | Winning Pretty

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris answers many common questions from parents and coaches that he has received over the years about tournaments and tournament progressions and pathways. Feel free to send Chris any specific follow up questions because this is a big complex topic.On the show, Chris describes the different tournament options for prodigies and non prodigies throughout all the junior ages—from 5 years old to older teenager. Chris also discusses how many tournaments to play and the ideal amount of training hours per week for juniors. Chris discusses the following topics:—Why most prodigies don’t do group classes at young ages—Why most elite juniors bypass Red, Orange and Green training programs—The importance of developing world-class technique at a young age —The heavy-handed tournament and junior progression mandates by the USTA—The typical pathway (ranking and tournaments) for a Division 1 tennis players from a young age—The trends in junior age and ranking that almost always accurately predict whether a kid will play D3, D1, pro, or have a chance to win slams—The difference between being a prodigy best in your age division or a prodigy best in 3 age divisions above your age—How much do typical top 10 sectional juniors practice and how many tournaments do they play—How many tournament do top 100 national ranked players play and how much do they typically practice—The choice between the USTA national circuit and the ITF Junior World Tour. Which is better?—UTR, Little Mo, Junior Tennis Tour as options to bypass USTA U10 mandates—Skipping USTA tournaments under 10 completely. Good idea?—UTR—Important or not?—How Chris sees the junior pathways and measuring sticks to judge the future potential of players. There is no crystal ball but the trends are there to see!And much moreVamos!Thanks to the loyal audience for all your support and for your shares!Thanks for your thumbs up and likes. Thanks for your 5 star reviews on Apple Podcasts!—Follow Chris at these websites and social media linksWebsite: www.chrislewit.com Blog: www.ProdigyMaker.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/ChrisLewitTennisAcademyTwitter: www.twitter.com/chrislewitLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/chris-lewit-tennis-academyInstagram: www.instagram.com/chrislewittennis/YouTube: www.youtube.com/ChrisLewit iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/

🎾 The Prodigy Maker Tennis Show (PMTS) explores the intersection of junior tennis development, cutting-edge sport science, fitness, health, and human performance. Hosted by world-renowned coach Chris Lewit — author of The Secrets of Spanish Tennis and Winning Pretty, and developer of numerous No. 1 juniors in the U.S. — PMTS brings together coaching wisdom, research, and technology to shape the future of tennis and human performance.

👉 Subscribe and listen on

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/id1456148452

https://open.spotify.com/show/3Wu0PXf9IXneu0ogrzujZN

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR2QscfBfEs9dtttR6XNhduNlWYmZIfy-

🌐 https://shows.acast.com/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/about

📖 Books: The Secrets of Spanish Tennis | Winning Pretty

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris discusses the evolution of grip changes at the pro and junior levels over the decades and drills down into the common pitfalls and positives and negatives of changing grips on all strokes. On the show, Chris covers the following topics:—Why grip changes can be bad and good—Why changing a grip can destroy a player—sometimes permanently—Why a coach or parent should be wary to make a grip change in a player who is sensitive, self-critical, or struggles emotionally—Why it’s riskier to change a grip in an older player—Why it’s riskier to change a grip in an advanced player—Why you should not change grips during or before important tournaments—How long it takes to perfect grip changes —Is there such a thing as the “correct” or perfect grip—Why American coaches see grips so differently than in Spain—The secret approach to grips in Spain that leads the country to more success in junior development —The best grip for the modern forehand—The forehand grip that Chris aka ways changes —The best grip structures for the modern two handed backhand—The acceptable parameters for the grip on the modern one handed backhand —Why nobody can agree on what a “continental” grip is—The acceptable serve grips—The best serve grip for spin—Why changing a grip is a lot like going in for surgery at the hospital—And more!Also, send any development or tennis questions directly to Chris at [email protected] to be answered on the upcoming show!Thanks to the loyal audience for all your support and for your shares!Thanks for your thumbs up and likes. Thanks for your 5 star reviews on Apple Podcasts!—Follow Chris at these websites and social media linksWebsite: www.chrislewit.com Blog: www.ProdigyMaker.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/ChrisLewitTennisAcademyTwitter: www.twitter.com/chrislewitLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/chris-lewit-tennis-academyInstagram: www.instagram.com/chrislewittennis/YouTube: www.youtube.com/ChrisLewit iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/

🎾 The Prodigy Maker Tennis Show (PMTS) explores the intersection of junior tennis development, cutting-edge sport science, fitness, health, and human performance. Hosted by world-renowned coach Chris Lewit — author of The Secrets of Spanish Tennis and Winning Pretty, and developer of numerous No. 1 juniors in the U.S. — PMTS brings together coaching wisdom, research, and technology to shape the future of tennis and human performance.

👉 Subscribe and listen on

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/id1456148452

https://open.spotify.com/show/3Wu0PXf9IXneu0ogrzujZN

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR2QscfBfEs9dtttR6XNhduNlWYmZIfy-

🌐 https://shows.acast.com/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/about

📖 Books: The Secrets of Spanish Tennis | Winning Pretty

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a huge debate in tennis development circles. Which is better: Live ball or dead ball training?Chris breaks it all down on this intriguing show. You will learn the following from Chris on this program:—Live ball. What is it?—Dead Ball. What is it?—What is Magician and a Mechanic?—The Spanish Way of drilling—How games based approaches (GBA) relates to drilling philosophy —Different ways to structure lessons and classes:1. Open-closed-open approach2. Closed to open3. Open to closed—How to build discipline without drills—How hitting with a 12-13 UTR is as exhausting as doing a basket drill —Whether it is possible to develop a champion without drills—Lluis Bruguera’s drilling philosophy—William Pato Alvarez’s drilling philosophy—Robert Lansdorp’s drilling style—Jose Higueras’ drilling style—How Chris’s coaching philosophy regarding drills has changed over time —Why 8 out of 10 shots made might be more than enough or might not be nearly enough!—Should consistency be built with basket drills or live ball drill?It’s a great program with many good questions from the audience. Enjoy!Also, send any development or tennis questions directly to Chris at [email protected] to be answered on the upcoming show!Thanks to the loyal audience for all your support and for your shares!Thanks for your thumbs up and likes. Thanks for your 5 star reviews on Apple Podcasts!—Follow Chris at these websites and social media linksWebsite: www.chrislewit.com Blog: www.ProdigyMaker.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/ChrisLewitTennisAcademyTwitter: www.twitter.com/chrislewitLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/chris-lewit-tennis-academyInstagram: www.instagram.com/chrislewittennis/YouTube: www.youtube.com/ChrisLewit iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

🎾 The Prodigy Maker Tennis Show (PMTS) explores the intersection of junior tennis development, cutting-edge sport science, fitness, health, and human performance. Hosted by world-renowned coach Chris Lewit — author of The Secrets of Spanish Tennis and Winning Pretty, and developer of numerous No. 1 juniors in the U.S. — PMTS brings together coaching wisdom, research, and technology to shape the future of tennis and human performance.

👉 Subscribe and listen on

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/id1456148452

https://open.spotify.com/show/3Wu0PXf9IXneu0ogrzujZN

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR2QscfBfEs9dtttR6XNhduNlWYmZIfy-

🌐 https://shows.acast.com/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/about

📖 Books: The Secrets of Spanish Tennis | Winning Pretty

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris discusses antiquated techniques and tactics that are sadly--frequently--being taught around the US and the world.On the show, Chris shares his insight and experience on the following topics:--Chris discusses how he builds the modern elastic forehand and how most coaches and clubs are forcing kids to be too stiff and linear--Why the forehand is the most important shot to develop in the game--Why finishing lower is better than finishing higher--How Red Orange Green (ROG) programs create stiff forehands and backhands--Why the game has become more airborne and should be taught as such--Mistakes in the two handed backhand technical development process--Open stance versus closed stance development--Major serve flaws in teaching around the US--Outdated tactical patterns and strategy--Why teaching all players to go to the net and attack forwards is wrong--Why and how Spain and France excel at junior development at the grassroots broad-base level--Why most high school JV and Varsity players across the US have terrible footwork and technique--The main reasons our lower level American players have poor technique and footworkAnd more!Also, send any development or tennis questions directly to Chris at [email protected] to be answered on the upcoming show!Vamos!Thanks to the loyal audience for all your support and for your shares!Thanks for your thumbs up and likes. Thanks for your 5 star reviews on Apple Podcasts!—Follow Chris at these websites and social media linksWebsite: www.chrislewit.com Blog: www.ProdigyMaker.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/ChrisLewitTennisAcademyTwitter: www.twitter.com/chrislewitLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/chris-lewit-tennis-academyInstagram: www.instagram.com/chrislewittennis/YouTube: www.youtube.com/ChrisLewit iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/

🎾 The Prodigy Maker Tennis Show (PMTS) explores the intersection of junior tennis development, cutting-edge sport science, fitness, health, and human performance. Hosted by world-renowned coach Chris Lewit — author of The Secrets of Spanish Tennis and Winning Pretty, and developer of numerous No. 1 juniors in the U.S. — PMTS brings together coaching wisdom, research, and technology to shape the future of tennis and human performance.

👉 Subscribe and listen on

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/id1456148452

https://open.spotify.com/show/3Wu0PXf9IXneu0ogrzujZN

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR2QscfBfEs9dtttR6XNhduNlWYmZIfy-

🌐 https://shows.acast.com/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/about

📖 Books: The Secrets of Spanish Tennis | Winning Pretty

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris discusses his study trip to Spain from June 2022 while he researched for his new book, Secrets of Spanish Tennis 2.Chris answers audience questions about Spanish tennis and junior development. Check out the following resources and projects that Chris is working on:—New Instructional DVDs coming out this fall in partnership with Championship Productions—Secrets of Spanish Tennis 2nd Edition. Spring 2023—New book Spanish Tennis Tactics—New book Spanish Tennis Wisdom—Anatomical and Biomechanical Analysis of Reilly Opellka’s Serve featured in TennisPlayer.net magazine. —The Other Toni article about the legendary Spanish coach Antonio Cascales, also featured in Tennisplayer.net magazine. On the show Chris talks about the following:—His reflections from his most recent Spain trip. The heritage and history of Sanchez-Casal Academy, now known as Emilio Sanchez Academy. —Why ESA is still a world-class academy and still special—The influence or RNA (Rafael Nadal Academy) on the world and other Spanish academies—The sad closing of the Bruguera Academy. It will be missed!—The reconstitution of the Bruguera Academy as Bardou Competition Team—The sad passing of legendary Spanish coach William Pato Álvarez—The incredible Juan Carlos Ferrero Equelite Academy in Villena—Meeting Carlos Alcaraz—How much Juan Carlos Ferrero charges for a private lesson!—The influence of Antonio Cascales, the legendary Spanish coach whom most people have never heard of—Whether UTR is in big trouble for the futureAnd more!Also, send any development or tennis questions directly to Chris at [email protected] to be answered on the upcoming show!Vamos!Thanks to the loyal audience for all your support and for your shares!Thanks for your thumbs up and likes. Thanks for your 5 star reviews on Apple Podcasts!—Follow Chris at these websites and social media linksWebsite: www.chrislewit.com Blog: www.ProdigyMaker.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/ChrisLewitTennisAcademyTwitter: www.twitter.com/chrislewitLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/chris-lewit-tennis-academyInstagram: www.instagram.com/chrislewittennis/YouTube: www.youtube.com/ChrisLewit iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/

🎾 The Prodigy Maker Tennis Show (PMTS) explores the intersection of junior tennis development, cutting-edge sport science, fitness, health, and human performance. Hosted by world-renowned coach Chris Lewit — author of The Secrets of Spanish Tennis and Winning Pretty, and developer of numerous No. 1 juniors in the U.S. — PMTS brings together coaching wisdom, research, and technology to shape the future of tennis and human performance.

👉 Subscribe and listen on

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/id1456148452

https://open.spotify.com/show/3Wu0PXf9IXneu0ogrzujZN

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR2QscfBfEs9dtttR6XNhduNlWYmZIfy-

🌐 https://shows.acast.com/the-prodigy-maker-tennis-show/about

📖 Books: The Secrets of Spanish Tennis | Winning Pretty

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.