Winning Uglier with Brad Gilbert

With the whacky 2020 schedule we’re already in the midst of the French Open! With conditions in Paris on the chilly autumn side, BG breaks down what players at home need to do to be prepared to play in the cold. We also discuss who the conditions could favor in Paris and BG gives his tournament picks. If you happen to struggle with the overhead, take a listen to a full Q&A breakdown of the shot (17:40). And we wrap up with a discussion on how to stop errors and double faults from compounding. 

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We welcome Mark Grabow to the podcast to talk about all things training related. Mark was the Director of Athletic Development for the Golden State Warriors and has worked with several tennis greats on the footwork/conditioning side including Murray, Roddick, Capriati, and of course BG. We cover a wide range of topics including the evolution of athletes and the effect that technology has had on performance. There are also plenty of useful tips for recreational players with advice on warmups and cool-downs and some footwork do’s and don’ts. We also get into a couple of listener questions, one related to training for club players and the other for a junior looking to improve their footwork. As Mark says, training is tough, but it’s your love for the sport and what you do when no one is watching that will really help you improve. 

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BG returns to Malibu after 24 days in the New York bubble. Inspired by all the dramatic comebacks at the US Open, we break down what it takes for everyone at home to turn a match around that isn’t going their way. Mounting a comeback starts with belief, and then breaking it down into small goals - you can’t come back from a set and a break down all at once! BG also shares a locker room story from one of the greatest comebacks in tennis history, when Andre erased a 2-set deficit to win the 1999 French Open final. We also get back into some Q&A, with discussions on how much emotion you should show on the court, what to do if your improvement has leveled off, and a little hydration talk. 

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For all you pro tennis fans out there we did a US Open preview for the unprecedented 2020 addition of the event. BG, who's already been in the bubble for a week, gets to do one of his favorite things - break down the draw! Favorites, dark-horses, and potential upsets are all discussed. Above all else, BG is appreciative that tennis is back in action. And for everyone working on their own game, it will be a great opportunity to watch and learn through osmosis.

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Darren “Killer” Cahill, coach to three world no.1’s in Halep, Agassi, and Hewitt, joins Winning Uglier to talk all things strategy. Darren shares a story about a breakthrough in Simona Halep’s net game that was two years in the making, which paid off big-time in her comeback win over Sloane Stephens to win her first Grand Slam title at the French Open. BG and Killer, who now frequently share a commentary booth for ESPN, break down a classic match between Roddick and Agassi from opposite sides of the coaching box. We also get into scouting, using video, and the art of delivering a coaching message. And hang on for Darren’s two keywords for all club players! Apologies, no time for Q&A this week!

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Most players get pumped going for big shots. BG, on the other hand, loves playing solid. In this episode, we get into all things game management. Themes include not overplaying from disadvantageous positions, being smart about your weaknesses, the importance of putting serves and returns in play, and finding your rhythm. Q&A topics: playing down to lower competition, recovering from an injury, rebounding after a collapse, and getting in the zone. 

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Winning Uglier welcomes its first-ever guest, Vince Van Patten, whose resume includes a career ATP high of no.26, commentator for the World Poker Tour, and actor/writer/producer of the new film 7 Days to Vegas. BG and VVP discuss the importance of creating pressure situations in practice, winning the 1986 Miami doubles title, similarities between tennis and poker (including tennis tells), and the time Vince had 28 shots of espresso in one match and lived to tell the tale. Also, stay on for a Q&A question about players who feel confident in baseline games but struggle in sets.

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Making minor adjustments to your game can have a major impact, and it starts with being open to change. BG shares a story about getting Roddick to switch up his return position, which helped lead to his incredible run in the summer of 2003. Q&A: How to beat someone that you always lose to, remembering to breathe, handling low balls, returning in doubles.

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BG breaks down the need to let go of playing the perfect match and focus on competing instead. Spoiler, there’s an Andre story! Q&A topics: tennis in the time of COVID, modifying your singles game as you age, net vs. baseline strategy in doubles, playing in altitude, and advice for getting children started in the sport.

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In our first ever episode BG discusses some recent findings from the local racquet club. These include players setting up too early for the shot, ball toss woes, and a clever drop shot drill that would make Chris Evert proud. Today’s Q&A topics: closing out matches, dealing with aggressive opponents, playing in the wind, and the value of the wall.

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