Tennis IQ Podcast (Tennis IQ Podcast)
Explore every episode of Tennis IQ Podcast
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Jul 2021 | Ep. 47 - Wimbledon 2021 | Lessons from Barty, Pliskova and Djokovic | 00:45:46 | |
Josh and Brian review some of the bigger stories from the 2021 Wimbledon Championships through the lens of sport psychology. Topics included are Ash Barty and being the best person you can be, Karolina Pliskova and the importance of self-belief, and the mental strength of Novak Djokovic winning his sixth Wimbledon title and 20th Grand Slam title (tying Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal). If you have questions or feedback on this episode, email us at tennisiqpodcast@gmail.com. | |||
| 03 Jul 2023 | Ep. 139 - How to Use Quiet Eye Theory to Improve Your Game | 00:48:09 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss quiet eye theory and gaze control as a means of helping players perform better physically and mentally. The discussion was based on three research studies (below) and the co-hosts reviewed practical applications of these concepts for tennis players. Research studies and videos mentioned: | |||
| 17 Sep 2020 | Ep. 8 - William Boe-Wiegaard - What It Means To Be A Good Competitor | 01:08:14 | |
William Boe-Wiegaard is in his fourth season as Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. Prior to Sacred Heart, William was a highly successful professional player on the ITF and ATP tours and collegiate player at Bates College. William played on the ITF and ATP tours for 13 years and in 2014 he reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 1,002 and doubles ranking of 900. He was a five-time All-American selection at Bates College and won the 2006 NCAA Division III singles championship. Interview highlights: 3:21 - William's background as a junior, collegiate, and professional player and how he got involved in collegiate coaching 13:15 - The importance of writing down your goals and having visual reminders 17:45 - The pros and cons of being an extremely competitive person 22:10 - Life as a professional tennis player on the ITF and ATP Tours and the importance of mental toughness 35:15 - The difference between being competitive and being a good competitor 42:20 - William's coaching philosophy and how to control the controllables to give yourself the best chance for success 51:53 - The NAVY Seal mentality of seeing situations as challenges instead of threats 56:59 - The challenges of college sports during the COVID-19 pandemic and how challenging situations can lead to growth and resilience | |||
| 26 Jan 2022 | Ep. 70 - Thoughts On Being Coachable | 00:46:18 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh talk about the concept of being coachable. Lack of coachability is often cited as a key factor that holds athletes back from fulfilling their goals and making progress in their development. The co-hosts discuss ways that athletes can be more coachable including committing to becoming a "student of the game," being inquisitive, and embracing a growth mindset. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 05 Jan 2023 | Ep. 115 - The Importance of Developing Your Character | 00:42:48 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss why tennis players should prioritize developing good character and make it an explicit goal of their training. Results such as winning, rankings, and ratings are often prioritized rather than character and skill development which can lead tennis players to cut corners and exhibit negative character traits and poor sporting behavior. By prioritizing positive character traits, tennis players give themselves a better chance to be trusted by their peers, coaches, opponents and teammates. Additionally, this will also give them a better chance to sustain their progress and development rather than feeling like taking shortcuts is the way to achieve success in tennis (or life). Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 02 May 2024 | Ep. 175 - Becoming a Relentless Competitor Like Rafael Nadal | 00:41:33 | |
Relentlessness is a virtue that all tennis players should practice, and it is a virtue that Rafael Nadal (and others) has embodied throughout his playing career. Never giving up, and playing your game no matter the score are examples of relentlessness in action. In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss what it means to be relentless, the challenges to being this way in matches, and some tips to coach yourself or others in the pursuit of becoming a relentless competitor. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 05 Jul 2021 | Ep. 46 - Angelo Rossetti and the Power of Purpose | 01:20:25 | |
Angelo Rossetti is well-known in the tennis and coaching communities as someone who is very positive, very generous, and a wonderful influence on his students. He currently serves as the Director of Racquet Sports for the Inspire Tennis Academy and the Tennis and Fitness Center of Rocky Hill. He's a USPTA P1 Elite Professional, he's PTR Certified, a USTA High Performance and Mental Skills Certified Coach, and ITPTA Certified Pickleball Teaching Professional. He's also a two-time Guinness World Records title holder for the longest tennis rally and the longest tennis volley rally. Lastly, Angelo is a published author of the book TENNACITY: The Tenacious Mindset On & Off the Court which is based on his mental skills training for tennis players and athletes (available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/TENNACITY-Tenacious-Mindset-Off-Court/dp/0998576689). His online mental skills course can be found at Tennacity.org. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes! | |||
| 18 Apr 2023 | Ep. 129 - The Value of Consistency in All Things | 00:54:59 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the benefits of consistency in tennis. Oftentimes, consistency is brought up in reference to players being able to make as many shots in a row as possible, however this is only a part of the concept of consistency in tennis. The co-hosts review other aspects of playing consistently, including how to consistently play aggressively, and successfully implement your patterns and tactics. Lastly, they discuss how consistent effort and intensity over time leads to significant improvement over time. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 21 Jul 2022 | Ep. 93 - Howard Bryant on the Mental Game in Tennis, and more | 01:20:55 | |
Howard Bryant is an award winning author and journalist who has been a senior writer for ESPN since 2007. Although he writes about a number of sports and topics within sport, he is an astute observer of tennis and he always brings a unique perspective with his analysis of matches and issues within the game. Howard also plays tennis and therefore has first-hand knowledge of how difficult the sport is mentally. As a professional observer of sport, he is uniquely qualified to discuss the mental and emotional challenges that tennis players face. For more information about Howard’s background: https://howardbryantbooks.com/about Howard’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hbryant42 To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter or Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 20 Jun 2024 | Ep. 181 - Rick Macci and Champion Mindsets | 01:07:36 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh were joined by Rick Macci, and their conversation touched on a number of topics related to sport psychology and the mental aspect of tennis. Over the past 40 years, Rick Macci has had the distinction of having trained and worked with a “Who’s Who” of tennis players including Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova, Jennifer Capriati, Mary Pierce, Anastasia Myskina and many more. In that time, he has had the privilege of working with five players that have reached number one in the world on the ATP and WTA Tours along with eight Grand Slam Champions. Rick’s role in the development of Venus and Serena Williams as Grand Slam champions and legends of the sport was also featured in the blockbuster movie King Richard.Rick is also a seven-time USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association) Coach of the Year, was inducted into the 2010 USPTA Florida Hall of Fame, and in 2017 was the youngest ever to be inducted into the USPTA National Hall of Fame. Currently, Rick continues to teach over 50 hours per week on court at the Rick Macci Tennis Academy with players of all ages. Most recently, Rick co-authored the book Billion Dollar Mind: A Practical Guide to the Game of Life, which is a distillation of his life coaching mindsets paired with the neuro-science to back it up. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 18 Aug 2020 | Ep. 4 - Jeff Bearup and Tim Donovan | 00:52:03 | |
Jeff Bearup and Tim Donovan are the guests for Episode 4 of the Tennis IQ Podcast. Jeff has received numerous accolades and awards within the tennis coaching field including USPTA Coach of the Year and induction into the USTA New England Tennis Hall of Fame. Tim is the founder of Donovan Tennis Strategies which is a college placement service for tennis players. He was also a standout player at Brown University for four years, reaching a high of #6 in the NCAA Division 1 rankings. He then played professional tennis for four years on the ATP Tour and achieved a top 300 world ranking in singles. Jeff and Tim co-founded the New England Academy of Tennis which has helped thousands of players develop their tennis skills and succeed at multiple levels of the sport. More recently, Jeff and Tim have teamed up again to form Crosscourt Consulting which is a business that assists families through the complexities of junior tennis development. Interview highlights: 4:18 - Tim and Jeff discuss their backgrounds as multi-sport athletes before focusing on tennis. 11:25 - The importance of not always being prepared and not taking things for granted. 15:29 - The concept of tennis being 90% mental, and how it manifests at different levels of the sport. 27:59 - The importance of taking the pressure off of junior players by focusing on the development process rather than just on results. 31:39 - The trend of junior players solely training through structured activities rather than playing sets with friends and kids not playing enough match play. 38:06 - The changes in the college recruitment process because of COVID-19 and how junior and collegiate players are learning the important skill of handling adversity. 44:19 - The importance of establishing a tennis developmental plan at a young age and how the role of the parents in this process changes as the player develops. To connect with Tim and Jeff go to CrosscourtConsulting.com or contact them at (617) 842-5901. To learn more about Donovan Tennis Strategies go to DonovanTennis.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game of tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or on Twitter use the hashtag #tennisIQ. | |||
| 01 Mar 2022 | Ep. 74 - Playing From Behind | Lessons from Barty, Djokovic, Medvedev, and Nadal | 00:48:52 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how tennis players should handle trying to come back when they are losing. Topics discussed include learning from top pros on how they deal with playing from behind, how to identify what sort of adjustment needs to be made mid-match, and the type of mindset and attitude that you need to turn a match around. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 16 Mar 2021 | Ep. 31 - Handling Pressure | 01:16:51 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss handling pressure. Some common barriers to performing well under pressure, including unrealistic expectations, are reviewed. They break down higher-pressure matches and tournaments and give some tips for how to mentally prepare for these instances. Mentally rehearsing and preparing for high-pressure moments in matches including break points, deuce points, and tiebreakers are suggestions that are offered. Lastly, the two hosts discuss how the expectations or perceived expectations of others can often lead to feeling more pressure. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes! | |||
| 02 Apr 2024 | Ep. 171 - What to Do When Things Are Not Working | 00:39:07 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss what tennis players can do when nothing is working for them in a match. The co-hosts examine different strategies and tools that tennis players can use in these moments, and also consider broader mindsets and perspectives that can be helpful to apply in these situations. Topics discussed include going back to a player’s fundamentals, targeting an opponent's weakness, and finding ways to relax and relieve physical tension. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis you can email us at tennisiqpodcast@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying the show please rate us on your favorite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts and Spotify and write a review. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 19 Apr 2022 | Ep. 80 - Swupnil Sahai and A.I. in Tennis | 00:52:13 | |
Brian and Josh chat with Swupnil Sahai, the co-founder and CEO of SwingVision, about the use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) in tennis and how the data extracted can relate to the mental side of the sport. Swupnil is a lifelong tennis player and massive Federer fan. He has a triple major from UC Berkeley, a PhD in Statistics from Columbia, and built patented A.I. for autonomous driving at Tesla Autopilot. He created SwingVision with the mission to democratize the professional tennis experience for players of all levels. Listeners of the Tennis IQ Podcast can get $100 off the SwingVision Pro subscription bundle, which includes a phone mount that attaches to the back fence or curtain in seconds and provides optimal shot tracking accuracy. Use the link https://swing.tennis/c/tennisiq to get the discount. About SwingVision: SwingVision is the A.I. tennis app that provides automated scoring, shot tracking & line calling using just your iPhone. Featured in the 2021 iPhone & iPad Keynote events, designated as Editors' Choice on the App Store and now the Official Player & Ball Tracking App of the ITA, LTA & Tennis Australia, SwingVision has quickly become the most comprehensive, portable and affordable technology solution for tennis players of all levels. | |||
| 23 Sep 2023 | Best of Tennis IQ: Ep. 30 - Marius Barnard and Self-Belief | 01:02:00 | |
Marius Barnard is a former ATP pro who spent 13 years on the tour, winning 6 titles, and reaching the men’s doubles quarterfinals at both Wimbledon and the Australian Open. During his playing career, he also had doubles wins over 6 world number ones, including Roger Federer. While playing on the tour, Marius studied psychology and business management. After his career was over, he used his expertise in performance psychology and business to become a coach and mentor. Today, Marius is an executive coach helping CEOs, Directors, and Managers improve their performance with tailored development programs and managing their work pressures with self-belief, optimism and resilience. Interview Highlights: 2:11 - Marius explains his introduction to tennis and transition from a professional tennis player to an executive coach 5:40 - The Clear Links model and the importance of self-belief to tennis players 11:10 - Utilizing interventions including visualization within the Clear Links model 22:02 - Developing a "highlight reel" from your matches to build confidence 23:58 - Focusing on the present moment in competition 28:56 - Helping athletes develop awareness 30:52 - The differences between confidence and self-belief 35:57 - How is optimism connected to self-belief? 42:11 - The parallels between life as a professional tennis player and working as an executive coach 46:27 - Resilience during a global pandemic 56:07 - Finding the silver lining from difficult situations https://www.mariusbarnard.com/ - Marius Barnard - Performance Executive Coach | |||
| 08 Oct 2023 | Ep. 150 - How to Train Decision Making | 00:41:50 | |
In the 150th episode of the podcast, Brian and Josh discuss how decision making on court can be improved through intentional decision training. The co-hosts reviewed a paper entitled “Effects of Decision Training on Decision Making and Performance in Young Tennis Players: An Applied Research” by Luis García-González, Alberto Moreno, Alexander Gil, M. Perla Moreno & Fernando Del Villar. Both Josh and Brian provided their thoughts on the study and its findings, and they considered some of the practical applications that tennis players and coaches can utilize on court to instill better decision making over time. If you’d like to read the paper, please send us an email at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com and we will send it to you. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 21 Aug 2024 | Ep. 187 - Is the SMART Goals Framework Overrated? | 00:40:18 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the differences between “SMART goals” and “open goals”. They outlined the benefits and drawbacks of the popular “SMART goals” approach and introduced open goals as an alternative. Additionally, they reviewed process goals, learning goals, and other concepts related to the goal setting and attainment process. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 09 Apr 2024 | Ep. 172 - Why You Need to Commit to Your Routines | 00:36:35 | |
In tennis, there are a number of routines and rituals that players can use to bring out their best performances. However, not all players use routines as effectively as they could. In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss some of the challenges with using routines, and offer suggestions for how to commit to these important practices. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis you can email us at tennisiqpodcast@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying the show please rate us on your favorite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts and Spotify and write a review. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 19 Aug 2021 | Ep. 51 - Dr. Laura Swettenham on Stress, Coping, and Think Aloud | 01:09:31 | |
Dr. Laura Swettenham is a sport and exercise psychologist from the UK, chartered with the British Psychological Society. She has experience working within a range of sports, predominantly professional football (soccer), youth tennis, and e-sports. In her practice, Laura uses acceptance and mindfulness approaches, such as acceptance and commitment therapy, to support athletes and coaches so they can thrive in and out of their performance environment. Currently, Laura works at Cultiv8 Academy, the Yorkshire regional player development center for tennis, and is the sport psychology and coach development lead at the federation of e-sports coaches. She is also an associate partner lecturer at the University of Portsmouth and has published multiple research papers within sport psychology utilizing the Think Aloud protocol. In this conversation, we discuss Think Aloud and its utility in exploring stress and coping mechanisms in tennis. For more information on Think Aloud, please read "Investigating Stress and Coping During Practice and Competition in Tennis using Think Aloud" by Laura and her colleagues. (https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/9077/) To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes! | |||
| 22 Feb 2022 | Ep. 73 - Building Your Confidence | 00:43:44 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how tennis players can systematically develop their confidence. Topics discussed include how to set up reminder systems about your sources of confidence (achievements, making progress towards goals, etc.), how to utilize confidence journals and make daily "deposits" to your confidence bank, and how to use mental skills such as visualization to develop your confidence on the court. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 23 Mar 2024 | Ep. 170 - Ryan Harrison and the Philosophy of Better Player, Better Results | 01:00:24 | |
Ryan Harrison is a former professional tennis player and Head Coach at Harrison Tennis Academy. With a playing career spanning over 15 years on the ATP Tour, Ryan Harrison stands as a Grand Slam Champion, clinching the Roland Garros men’s doubles title in 2017 with Michael Venus. His journey in professional tennis has seen him reach a career-best singles ranking of No. 40 in the world and No. 16 in doubles. Ryan has showcased his prowess on the global stage, competing in the ATP World Tour Finals in doubles and proudly representing the United States in both the Olympics in London in 2012 and at the Davis Cup.
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| 18 May 2024 | Ep. 174 - The Stockdale Paradox and Tennis | 00:36:41 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the “Stockdale Paradox” and how it relates to tennis. The co-hosts review the background of Jim Stockdale and consider whether they believe this “paradox” is in fact a paradox or not. They talk about the link between accepting reality and optimism, and the necessity for tennis players to be able to do both.
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| 01 Dec 2022 | Ep. 111 - Make Learning Your Top Priority | 00:49:30 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how tennis players can prioritize learning and developing their game instead of just focusing on results. The co-hosts talked about how tennis players can take pressure off of themselves by focusing on being the best player they can be rather than focusing too much on results such as rankings, UTR ratings, etc. Additionally, they discussed how tennis players can analyze their matches in order to learn from wins and losses in a systematic way by reflecting on their performances in a journal. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 18 Jul 2024 | Ep. 184 - Wimbledon 2024 Recap | Alcaraz, Djokovic, Krejčíková, Paolini | 00:34:10 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. On the women’s side, Barbora Krejčíková defeated Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, and on the men’s side, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4). The co-hosts review various sport psychology themes relating to the champions, the finalists, and other top players in the tournament. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis you can email us at tennisiqpodcast@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying the show please rate us on your favorite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts and Spotify and write a review. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 15 Sep 2023 | Ep. 148 - US Open 2023 Recap | Gauff, Djokovic, Sabalenka, Medvedev | 00:55:56 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the 2023 U.S. Open where Coco Gauff defeated Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, and Novak Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 to win the women’s and men’s singles championships. The co-hosts discussed the champions and finalists from a sport psychology perspective, and also discussed other top players including Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz. Coco Gauff Final Interview Transcript - http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=190805 | |||
| 06 Jun 2022 | Ep. 87 - Lessons from Roland Garros 2022 via Swiatek, Gauff, Nadal, and Ruud | 00:43:48 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh review the 2022 French Open. They discuss Iga Swiatek and her performance in the tournament which culminated with a 6-1 6-3 victory in the championship match over Coco Gauff. This victory furthered her current winning streak to 35 matches and is her second Roland Garros title and second major title. Additionally, the co-hosts chatted about Rafael Nadal’s victory in the final over Casper Ruud 6-3 6-3 6-0 which was Nadal’s 14th Roland Garros title and 22nd major title. For both finalists, Coco Gauff and Casper Ruud, it was their first major final and a key step in the progress of their careers. For all four finalists, their mindsets and mental games were key contributing factors in their success; topics discussed included the importance of prioritizing mental skills, utilizing one’s platform to promote social change, and the importance of character. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter or Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 28 Jul 2020 | Ep. 1 - Introducing the Tennis IQ Podcast | 00:57:34 | |
In the first episode of the Tennis IQ Podcast, Josh Burger of Tiebreaker Psych LLC and Brian Lomax of PerformanceXtra introduce themselves and explain how they each discovered the theme of tennis being “90% mental” through their own experiences. They discuss the concept of Tennis IQ and the importance of tennis players training the mental side of the game. Josh and Brian also talk about the psychological challenges that tennis players are facing as the sport emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on the ATP and WTA tours reopening including the upcoming US Open and French Open. Lastly, they discuss a few notable examples of top professional tennis players who have displayed exemplary mental toughness when it matters most. Videos of moments referenced in this episode: Djokovic-Federer 2011 US Open Semi-Final https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azQemcdCwH4 Nadal-Thiem 2018 US Open QF https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9fqjhGooKk Rafael Nadal Press Conference 2018 https://youtu.be/T4wJIa9C5qk Nadal-Federer 2006 Rome Final https://youtu.be/eBxOUGw0GIM 5th Set Tiebreaker https://youtu.be/SaPNX0GpHhw Andreescu-Serena 2019 US Open https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCzsODijnqw&t=1s Monica Seles Clutch moments
If you’d like to learn more about Tiebreaker Psych LLC go to TiebreakerPsych.com, and to learn more about PerformanceXtra go to PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or on Twitter use the hashtag #tennisIQ. | |||
| 04 Feb 2025 | Ep. 206 - The Effects of Ratings and Rankings on Performance | 00:36:06 | |
Thinking too much about ratings and rankings can cloud your focus on the court. It’s difficult to stay in the moment when you are worried about the consequences of winning and losing. In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the impacts of rating and ranking systems on players, especially in the 21st century. The dynamic nature of these systems can be problematic for many, but there are strategies for dealing with them. Brian and Josh review strategies that they have found to be effective with their clients.
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| 11 Jun 2023 | Ep. 136 - The Challenge of Changing Surfaces | 00:43:47 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the various challenges of changing surfaces. In a comparable way to how professional players change surfaces throughout the tournament season, non-professional adult and junior players have to handle similar situations. Examples of these sorts of changes include switching from hard courts to clay courts (or vice versa), playing on a grass court for the first time, or playing outdoors after getting accustomed to playing indoors in recent months. The co-hosts discuss how having the right type of mindset, easing into a new surface by focusing on the fundamentals, and utilizing mental skills in different situations that emerge are all helpful while navigating playing on a different surface. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 24 Mar 2022 | Ep. 77 - Why Tennis Is So Tough | The Unique Challenges Of The Sport | 00:54:59 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the unique challenges of tennis. Topics discussed include a conversation on why the scoring system in tennis can lead to constant judgement and riding an "emotional rollercoaster", the multiple roles that tennis players need to play in a match (player, coach, line judge), as well as the fighting/combat nature of the sport. Additionally, the co-hosts consider how the nature of the sport invites comparisons to other players which can lead to increased expectations and pressure. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 03 Nov 2024 | Ep. 195 - The Benefits of Slowing Down | 00:47:36 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the benefits of slowing down. Slowing down begins as a perspective that then translates into action. The process and benefits of slowing down apply in the long-term (your career), as well as in a match, and between points. Players can also benefit from the idea that “slow is smooth, smooth is fast." Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 30 Jan 2024 | Ep. 163 - Australian Open 2024 | Sinner, Medvedev and Sabalenka | 01:06:39 | |
The 2024 Australian Open has wrapped up with Aryna Sabalenka winning the women’s singles title over Zheng Qinwen 6–3, 6-2, and Jannik Sinner winning the men’s singles title over Daniil Medvedev 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3. In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the finals of the women’s and men’s singles championships, review the performances of other top players, and comment on mental performance themes that emerged from the tournament. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 04 Aug 2021 | Ep. 49 - The Importance of Sportsmanship | 00:50:07 | |
At most levels of the game, tennis players are required to call lines and honor the rules of the game. It is a unique feature of the sport and it highlights the importance of sportsmanship when competing. In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss some coaching and parenting behaviors that can promote good sportsmanship along with some behaviors that can lead to unethical decision making. In the end, we need to understand that good sportsmanship makes us better people, and better people are better competitors. Better People Make Better Competitors: https://issuu.com/newenglanduspta/docs/summer_2021_2_/18 | |||
| 18 Jan 2021 | Ep. 23 - What Makes a Mentally Tough Tennis Player? | 00:59:36 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh explore the topic of "mental toughness" and break the concept into key attributes and characteristics of mentally tough tennis players and athletes. Mental toughness is often cited as a differentiating factor between tennis players of similar playing levels, but defining the concept and outlining it's attributes/characteristics can be challenging. This episode includes Brian's outline of the character traits of mentally tough athletes, and Josh's outline of the attributes of mentally tough tennis players. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes! | |||
| 10 Dec 2021 | Ep. 65 - Todd Martin on Passion and Focus | 01:15:52 | |
Todd Martin is the CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I., a position he has held since September 2014. In addition to his role as CEO, Martin serves as Tournament Chairman of the Hall of Fame Open, the only ATP World Tour event in the Northeast and the only professional grass court tournament in the Americas. Todd was a top-ranked player on the ATP World Tour in the 1990’s and early 2000’s. He achieved a career high ranking of world No. 4, reached the finals at the US Open and the Australian Open, and was a member of the United States Davis Cup team that won the championship in 1995. Since retiring from the ATP World Tour in 2004, Martin has remained highly engaged in the tennis industry. He served three terms as a Director at Large on the USTA Board of Directors, from 2011 through 2016 and currently serves as a Player Representative to the President of the USTA. Martin serves on the Board of Directors for the Tennis Industry Association, and he is on the Oracle US Tennis Awards Advisory Council. In 1993, he launched Todd Martin Youth Leadership, in his hometown of Lansing, Michigan that serves at-risk youth and provides tennis, education and leadership programming. Previously, Martin coached Novak Djokovic and Mardy Fish. | |||
| 01 Aug 2023 | Ep. 142 - Wimbledon 2023 - Alcaraz, Djokovic, Vondrousova, Jabeur, Eubanks | 00:52:53 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the 2023 Wimbledon Championships. On the women’s side Marketa Vondrousova defeated Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-4, and on the men’s side Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 1–6, 7–6 (6), 6–1, 3–6, 6–4. The co-hosts review various sport psychology themes relating to the champions and finalists including resilience, self-belief, emotional control, and consistency. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 15 Jan 2024 | Ep. 161 - The Benefits of Viewing Tennis as a Team Sport | 00:39:57 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the different contexts that tennis can be understood as a team sport. They discussed three main situations in this episode. First, they talked about situations where training is done as a team which includes in academies, high school teams, college teams, and adult league teams. Next, they discussed the roles within a performance team and the important support system that it creates. Lastly, they talked about viewing the tennis community as a team, and discussed how tennis can be used to help others and make a positive impact. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 13 Nov 2021 | Ep. 61 - The Performance Equation | 00:52:11 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the “Performance Equation” inspired by Tim Gallwey: Actual Performance = Potential - Interference. Tim Gallwey, the author of The Inner Game of Tennis as well as a number of other books, has used this equation to explain the detrimental impact that interference has on performance. This conversation covered the harmful impact of different types of distractions including self-judgment, expectations, and visual/auditory distractions. To conclude, Brian and Josh reviewed some ways to reduce interference and learn to focus on what is important. Links mentioned in this episode: https://youtu.be/ieb1lmm9xHk To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes! | |||
| 19 Feb 2023 | Ep. 121 - Why You Should Play the Back Draw | 00:37:18 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh answer a recent listener question about playing in the back draws of tournaments. The co-hosts discuss some of the main factors that cause players to withdraw from back draw and consolation matches. Additionally, they reviewed mindsets that tennis players can utilize before consolation matches as well as strategies and mental tools like self-talk and visualization that can be utilized during consolation matches. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 22 Jan 2023 | Ep. 117 - Improving Your Game by Increasing Self-Awareness | 00:40:22 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the Resonance Performance Model as a way for tennis players to increase self-awareness and improve aspects of their game. This episode touched on various themes from the book The Inner Game of Tennis by Tim Gallwey and various past episodes of the podcast. Video about Inner Game of Golf from Tim Gallwey: https://youtu.be/fdTmyhdfvZ0 | |||
| 24 Nov 2022 | Ep. 110 - Tennis as a Fighting Sport | 00:52:33 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss tennis as a fighting sport and as a combat sport. This conversation was inspired by The Fighter’s Mind, a book by Sam Sheridan that outlines the mental demands of various combat sport athletes. The co-hosts outline how tennis is a battle between two (or four in doubles) people with a similar goal of winning a match and how they must utilize fighting/combat skills and mental strength to achieve their goals and be successful. Various themes are discussed including self-discipline, avoiding criticism and negative self-talk during a match, understanding yourself and your opponent, and looking for ways to sabotage the opponent’s game plan. The Fighter’s Mind on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fighters-Mind-Inside-Mental-Game/dp/0802145019
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| 04 Dec 2024 | Ep. 199 - Using the "4 i Framework" to Design Your Practices | 00:36:21 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the “4 i’s” of intentional practice. This is based on a model of intentional practice (article linked below) by Dan Abrahams in which intentional training is divided into four areas: interesting, intense, internalize and integrated. The co-hosts discuss how tennis players, coaches, and parents can incorporate these key elements into each practice to ensure that it is done in an intentional and deliberate way.
Article - https://tinyurl.com/2uv636m6 | |||
| 19 May 2023 | Ep. 133 - Using Rules to Make Better Decisions | 00:43:57 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh examine how tennis players can utilize rules for making better decisions during matches. The co-hosts discuss ways that tennis players can simplify their decision making process by developing rules regarding shot selection. This rules-based approach can be used for choosing directionals based on movement and court position, for when a player steps into the court for an approach shot, and also for pressure situations such as deuce points, ad points, and during tiebreakers. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 29 Sep 2024 | Ep. 192 - Playing Against Weaker Opponents and With Weaker Partners | 00:42:32 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh respond to two questions from a listener. The first question was about how to handle playing against weaker opponents, and the second question was about how to play with a partner that is weaker than you. The co-hosts discuss each question in detail and provide some guidance on both of these common scenarios. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 23 Jan 2025 | Ep. 204 - The Weight of Discipline vs. the Weight of Regret | 00:44:14 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss a quote from motivational speaker, Jim Rohn (see quote below), on the topic of discipline and regret, and how these concepts apply to tennis players. They describe some thought exercises that players can work through to minimize regret in their careers. Furthermore, the co-hosts stress the importance of ensuring that an athlete’s actions match their stated goals for their future and tennis development.
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| 27 Sep 2021 | Ep. 55 - The Yips and Double Faults | 00:49:12 | |
This episode includes a brief discussion on the yips in tennis. The yips has been described as “a sudden and unexplained loss of ability to execute certain skills in experienced athletes”, and though it happens most typically to golfers as they putt, it can happen to tennis players as well. The remainder of the conversation discussed serving and double faults. Brian and Josh emphasized the importance of resetting and putting the previous point behind you in order to have the best possible mindset for the following point.
This article explains some of the same research discussed in this episode: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2021/sep/27/how-emma-raducanu-prevents-one-mistake-from-leading-to-another?CMP=Share To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes! | |||
| 06 Aug 2022 | Ep. 95 - Playing Against an Injured Opponent | 00:40:14 | |
In this episode Brian and Josh discuss how to handle playing an injured opponent. The co-hosts review various mental challenges related to playing an injured opponent including how to handle injury time-outs, how opponent injuries can cause a loss of rhythm, and how to handle distractions that injuries can present. Additionally, they consider how utilizing mental skills like self-talk, visualization, breathing techniques, and routines can give tennis players a better chance to handle the situation in an effective way. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter or Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 10 Mar 2022 | Ep. 75 - What To Do When You Are Supposed To Win/Lose | 00:38:17 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss what to do when a tennis player is “supposed” to win or lose a match. The co-hosts review things to avoid when you are supposed to win or lose, along with mindsets that keep you focused and competitive. Lastly, they consider better ways to approach these scenarios including the mantra “respect all, fear none." To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 24 Nov 2024 | Ep. 198 - Roger Writes a Letter to Rafa | Thoughts on Nadal's Legacy | 00:37:00 | |
Prior to Rafael Nadal's last match at the 2024 Davis Cup, Roger Federer penned a letter in tribute to Rafa's legendary career and their shared journey. Josh and Brian discuss Federer's thoughts on Rafa as well as the legacy that Nadal leaves in tennis as one of the sports greatest champions. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis you can email us at tennisiqpodcast@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying the show please rate us on your favorite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts and Spotify and write a review. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 27 Feb 2021 | Ep. 29 - Australian Open Recap - Osaka and Djokovic | 00:42:05 | |
The 2021 Australian Open has concluded with Naomi Osaka and Novak Djokovic claiming the singles titles. We discuss how dominant each of these champions have been (Djokovic is 9-0 in Australian Open title matches and Osaka is 4-0 in her first four major finals), and how their mental strength has allowed them to become the champions that they are today. We also reflect on other storylines from the Australian Open including Aslan Karatsev's run to the semi-finals, Daniil Medvedev's performance throughout the tournament and final, and Jennifer Brady's run to the final. Links to videos mentioned in this episode: Naomi Osaka: "I was extremely nervous" press conference (F) | Australian Open 2021 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idmw9aWm3K8 Aslan Karatsev: "I'll try to enjoy the moment" press conference (QF) | Australian Open 2021 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEy6hw2AP48 To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and Sport Psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes! | |||
| 30 Mar 2025 | Ep. 212 - The Dance of the Doomed | 00:42:40 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the “Dance of the Doomed." The Dance of the Doomed is a concept that Hall of Fame football coach Bill Walsh wrote about in his book, The Score Takes Care of Itself, in which athletes demonstrate through their body language and attitude that they have given up before an event finishes. The co-hosts discuss how tennis players can avoid doing this dance while losing, and offer practical suggestions that players can utilize when they’re in losing situations.
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| 04 Nov 2021 | Ep. 60 - Mardy Fish Documentary on Netflix | 00:48:52 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the recently released Netflix documentary on Mardy Fish "Untold: Breaking Point". This documentary tells the story of Mardy Fish's rise to the highest level of the ATP Tour which included a high-ranking of #7 in the world and an appearance at the prestigious 2011 ATP World Tour Finals. The co-hosts discuss Mardy's challenges with mental health and severe anxiety disorder that ultimately led Mardy to put his career on pause for several years. They also review how Mardy overcame these challenges and has used his platform and position as U.S. Davis Cup captain to help the next generation learn from his story. This conversation also considers what "toughness" really is, and how this concept is often misunderstood by athletes, coaches, parents, and the media. Untold: Breaking Point - https://www.netflix.com/title/81026434 To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes! | |||
| 29 May 2022 | Ep. 85 - Marcus Daniell and Making an Impact | 00:48:41 | |
Marcus Daniell is a professional tennis player from New Zealand and the Founder & Executive Director of High Impact Athletes (https://highimpactathletes.org/). He is an Olympic bronze medallist tennis player with 5 ATP titles, quarterfinal appearances at both Wimbledon and the Australian Open (twice), and numerous caps for the NZ Davis Cup Team. He has been Giving Effectively since 2014. On January 4th, 2021, Marcus took the Giving What We Can pledge to donate at least 10% of his annual winnings to effective organisations for the rest of his life. Alongside his tennis career, Marcus has completed a B.A. from Massey University in Psychology and Spanish and has been awarded the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award for his work with HIA, joining recipients such as Nelson Mandela and Roger Federer. In this conversation, Brian and Josh speak with Marcus about his career and playing with an impactful purpose. Donate via High Impact Athletes: https://highimpactathletes.org/donate | |||
| 09 Jul 2024 | Ep. 183 - Addressing Irrational Beliefs and Self-Talk | 00:39:25 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the impact of irrational self-talk. Examples of this type of self-talk involve words and phrases such as ‘have to’, ‘need to’, ‘supposed to’, ‘should’, ‘must’, etc. These phrases add pressure and make it harder for tennis players to be at their best. The hosts reviewed how irrational self-talk originated, and offered strategies that players can use to improve their self-talk in matches. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 26 Jul 2021 | Ep. 48 - Building Mental Fortitude in Tennis | 00:57:47 | |
This episode reviews how tennis players can build mental fortitude and resilience. Brian and Josh base their discussion on the study “Mental fortitude training: An evidence-based approach to developing psychological resilience for sustained success” by David Fletcher and Mustafa Sarkar. Their mental fortitude training program focuses on three main areas: personal qualities, facilitative environment, and challenge mindset. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes! | |||
| 23 Dec 2024 | Ep. 201 - How to Play With Equanimity (A Balanced Mind) | 00:37:55 | |
In this episode, Josh and Brian draw inspiration from a quote by Marcus Aurelius related to recovering one's mental balance after being upset by circumstances. Practical applications of the concept are discussed as is a concept called 'The Equanimity Game.'
How to Play the Equanimity Game: https://youtu.be/eE-gv3uawZA?si=argOrcNZJvR1 To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis you can email us at tennisiqpodcast@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying the show please rate us on your favorite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts and Spotify and write a review. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 02 Feb 2022 | Ep. 71 - Australian Open 2022 Recap | Barty & Nadal | 00:48:02 | |
The 2022 Australian Open has wrapped up with Ashleigh Barty winning the women’s singles title over Danielle Collins 6–3, 7–6(2), and Rafael Nadal winning the men’s singles title over Daniil Medvedev 2–6, 6–7(5), 6–4, 6–4, 7–5. In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the finals of the women’s and men’s singles championships, and share sport psychology themes that emerged from the champions, Ashleigh Barty and Rafael Nadal. Ashleigh Barty’s interview transcript after the championship match: http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=172610 Danielle Collins’ interview transcript after the championship match: http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=172611 Rafael Nadal’s interview transcript after the championship match: http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=172605 Daniil Medvedev’s interview transcript after the championship match: http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=172606 To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 09 Oct 2024 | Ep. 193 - Bob Litwin and Living the Best Story of Your Life | 01:17:44 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh talked with Bob Litwin about how to use storytelling and writing to improve your tennis and your life. Bob Litwin is an executive, sports and life performance coach and author of the best selling book, Live the Best Story of Your Life: A World Champion’s Guide to Lasting Change. He was the first non ATP tour, non Division 1 college tennis player inducted into the USTA Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame, and was a recipient of the Vitas Gerulaitis Community Service Award. His tennis career includes being an ITF World Champion, ITF #1 world ranked player, two-time ITF World Team Champion, two-time Maccabi Gold Medalist and 29-time USTA National Champion. Bob's Book: Live the Best Story of Your Life: A World Champion’s Guide to Lasting Change Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 30 Dec 2021 | Ep. 67 - The Best of 2021 | 00:51:54 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh review highlights from a number of episodes in 2021. Ep. 25 - Mindfulness in Tennis Ep. 26 - The Power of Routines Ep. 27 - Cristina Rolo and Dave de Haan on the Importance of Mental Training Ep. 36 - Coming Back After an Injury or Break Ep. 37 - How to Play One Point at a Time Ep. 41 - Ryan Harry and Play Ep. 48 - Building Mental Fortitude in Tennis Ep. 50 - How To Be A Clutch Performer Ep. 56 - David Sammel and Developing Your Locker Room Power To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 13 Jan 2025 | Ep. 203 - Zest and Flourishing | 00:34:11 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss zest as a primary virtue for flourishing in tennis and beyond. To begin, they define the virtue of zest and talk about the benefits of incorporating more zest into one’s life and tennis game. Furthermore, they offer practical suggestions for increasing zest in training and competition. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis you can email us at tennisiqpodcast@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying the show please rate us on your favorite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts and Spotify and write a review. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 25 Apr 2021 | Ep. 37 - How to Play One Point at a Time | 00:46:20 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how tennis players can embrace the mentality of playing one point at a time. Many players notice that when they buy in to a one point at a time mentality, they feel less pressure and may even feel that it makes it easier for them to perform. The co-hosts review the "formula" to playing one point at a time (below) and explain that it is necessary to determine what a quality point means for each player, depending on their playing style. Lastly, Brian and Josh examine the importance of pre-point planning and utilizing an in-between point routine, and the need to be non-judgmental when assessing one's performance. The formula to play one point at a time: 1. Play a quality point 2. Recover 3. Reset 4. Refocus 5. Repeat steps 1 - 4 until the match is over Winner's Creed by Bill Tym - https://www.tennistakes.com/winners-creed/ Perfect Practice Formula by Bill Tym (Corrective Methodology) - https://performancextra.com/bill-tyms-perfect-practice-formula/ Everything is Practice - https://performancextra.com/competitive-mindsets/everything-is-practice/ To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes! | |||
| 03 Apr 2021 | Ep. 34 - Finding Flow in Tennis | 00:47:21 | |
Flow is a psychological concept that was named by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi in 1975 and can be defined as a state of complete immersion in an activity. In this episode, Brian and Josh describe this concept and its characteristics. Additionally, they explain some ways that tennis players can increase their likelihood of achieving flow on the court. Though it is likely that most of the time tennis players will not achieve a flow state, the strategies discussed to increase the likelihood of achieving flow are the same strategies that boost tennis performance as a whole. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes! | |||
| 17 Mar 2022 | Ep. 76 - How To Play At The Highest Level of Tennis IQ | 00:54:50 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how to play Level 3 in the Tennis IQ model developed by USPTA Master Professional Jorge Capestany. Level 1 of this model involves the player and the ball (beginner level), Level 2 is about a player’s own side of the court, and Level 3 is the opponent’s side of the court (pro level). The co-hosts review the types of mindsets and tactics that tennis players can utilize in order to play Level 3 more often, and play in a way that keeps the opponent's side of the court in mind. This starts with a closer look at a player’s own strengths and the weaknesses of the opponent, and then a commitment to use their strengths to exploit the opponent’s weaknesses as often as possible. Furthermore, they examine how tennis players can “sabotage” their opponent’s game to disrupt their rhythm and make it tougher for the opponent to play at their best level. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 16 Feb 2021 | Ep. 27 - Cristina Rolo and Dave de Haan on the Importance of Mental Training | 01:10:18 | |
Cristina Rolo and Dave de Haan co-founded Rolo Mental Coaching in 2005, and their coaching focuses on performance enhancement and quality of life. Both Cristina and Dave are internationally recognized experts in the area of performance psychology and mental coaching, especially in tennis. They have extensive experience at the elite and ATP professional level, and they co-authored the book, Mental Training in Tennis: Applied Strategies for Success. Interview Highlights:
1:27 - Cristina and Dave explain how they initially got involved in sport psychology 7:11 - Tennis as a microcosm of life 13:30 - How adversity can spur the transformation process 19:42 - Helping athletes develop their own personal philosophies 24:54 - Working with players on the ATP Tour 36:02 - Having a person-oriented holistic approach to athletes who are entering retirement 43:54 - "Why mental training" and how the chair analogy can be used to demonstrate the importance of mental training 54:28 - The philosophy of viewing everything as practice 58:18 - Helping tennis players develop mental skills from a young age as part of their athletic foundation Rolo Mental Coaching - rolomentalcoaching.com Mental Training in Tennis: Applied Strategies for Success - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088XR3WXW/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0 | |||
| 06 Feb 2024 | Ep. 164 - What You Can Learn from the Netflix Movie Hustle | 00:34:40 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss various sport psychology themes from the Netflix movie Hustle. The movie stars Adam Sandler as a NBA scout who identifies a talented basketball player from Spain, and then brings him to the United States. The movie includes various themes related to mental performance including work ethic needed to get to the next level, the improvement and development process of an athlete, the coach-athlete relationship, the importance of moving on after missed shots, and that competition is about YOU vs. YOU. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 01 Sep 2023 | Ep. 146 - Visualization for Decision Making | 00:29:53 | |
Visualization has many uses for improving tennis performance, and in this episode, Brian and Josh review how visualization can aid and train better decision making on the court. Listen in for tips on how to create visualization plans and scripts that you can use for your game. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 14 Oct 2022 | Ep. 105 - When to Copy the Pros | 00:36:51 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss whether club players and juniors should emulate professional tennis players. Topics discussed include how to learn from watching pros play on television, developing better decision making in points, and learning from how pros handle their time between points. (Mentioned in the episode) - Patrick Mouratoglou recent video on the mental game - https://youtu.be/haGv3heQ0kU | |||
| 15 Oct 2020 | Ep. 12 - Nadal, Swiatek, and Mental Toughness | 00:54:02 | |
The 2020 French Open has concluded with Rafael Nadal winning an astonishing 13th French Open title and record-tying 20th major in the men’s championship, and Iga Swiatek winning her first French Open and major title in the women’s championship. We review the Nadal-Djokovic and Swiatek-Kenin final matches and offer insights into the factors that determined the outcomes of each match. Additionally, we discuss the common links between the two champions and their ability to stay in the moment, even in the highest-pressure situations of a match. Links to articles mentioned in this episode: Profile and interview with Daria Abramowicz, Iga Swiatek's sport psychologist: https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1856382/how-swiatek-s-sports-psychologist-honed-her-mental-game Nadal and Swiatek Stay in the Moment: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/12/sports/tennis/french-open-rafael-nadal-iga-swiatek.html The Tao of Rafael Nadal: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/11/sports/tennis/french-open-rafael-nadal.html To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and Sport Psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes! | |||
| 17 Sep 2021 | Ep. 54 - US Open 2021 | Lessons from Radacanu, Fernandez, Medvedev, and Djokovic | 01:01:52 | |
Josh and Brian review some of the bigger stories from the 2021 US Open through the lens of sport psychology. First, they discuss Emma Raducanu’s victory over Leylah Fernandez in the women's final and the circumstances that led to the unexpected success of each finalist. The guys also discuss Daniil Medvedev’s first Grand Slam triumph, and how he was able to stop Novak Djokovic from completing a calendar year Grand Slam and winning major title number 21. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes! | |||
| 27 Dec 2022 | Ep. 114 - The Wisdom of Nick Saviano | 01:24:43 | |
Widely regarded as one of the world’s preeminent tennis coaches and experts in the field of coaching education, Nick Saviano emphasizes the importance of approaching the game with joyous passion and a commitment to relentless growth. Nick has 46 years of world-class tennis experience—nine years playing on the ATP tour, followed by 37 years as a high-performance coach. Prior to this, he was a top US junior player, and an All-American and member of the NCAA Championship Team at Stanford University. As a coach, Nick has helped train over 75 tennis players who have gone on to professional tennis careers on the WTA and ATP tours, including Grand Slam winners, Olympic gold medalists, and world’s number one in singles and doubles. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 17 Jun 2023 | Ep. 137 - Roland Garros 2023 | The Locker Room Power of Djokovic and Swiatek | 00:45:29 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the 2023 French Open. On the women’s side Iga Świątek defeated Karolína Muchová 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 to win the women’s singles championship, and on the men’s side Novak Djokovic defeated Casper Ruud 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-5. The co-hosts review various sport psychology themes relating to the champions including the “locker room power” of Świątek and Djokovic, as well as their confidence, resilience, and ability to lock in and focus during the biggest moments. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis you can email us atTennisIQPodcast@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying the show please rate us on your favorite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts and Spotify and write a review. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 23 Aug 2022 | Ep. 97 - UTR and Aspiring College Tennis Players | 00:52:42 | |
Universal Tennis Rating, more commonly known as UTR, has become ubiquitous in tennis over the last several years, and it has been especially prominent in the world of college tennis. In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how aspiring college tennis players can handle UTR and the pressures that come along with it. The co-hosts review the challenges of expectations and pressure that can increase when tennis players are overly focused on results including rankings and UTR ratings. They also consider mindsets and perspectives, such as focusing on the improvement process and on controllable factors that will help an athlete perform at their best (rather than solely focusing on results), which can be helpful in overcoming the pressure of feeling like you have to constantly improve your UTR. Resources: Universal Tennis: Understanding The Algorithm - Complete Summary - https://support.universaltennis.com/en/support/solutions/articles/9000151830-understanding-the-algorithm-complete-summary To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter or Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 14 Sep 2022 | Ep. 101 - US Open 2022 Recap | Alcaraz, Ruud, Świątek, and Jabeur | 00:51:01 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the 2022 US Open. Iga Świątek defeated Ons Jabeur 6-2, 7-6(5) to win the women's singles championship while Carlos Alcaraz defeated Casper Ruud 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-3 to win the men's singles championship. The co-hosts reviewed various sport psychology themes and talked about how the finalists and champions exhibited certain mental qualities that helped them achieve success in the 2022 US Open. Iga Świątek post-final press conference transcript: http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=179904 Ons Jabeur post-final press conference transcript: http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=179905 Carlos Alcaraz post-final press conference transcript: http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=180065 Casper Ruud post-final press conference transcript: http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=180064 To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 12 Sep 2022 | Ep. 100 - Answering Your Questions on Our 100th Episode! | 01:06:23 | |
For this milestone episode, Brian and Josh answered various questions from listeners of the podcast and shared feedback from listeners in different parts of the world and tennis community. Additionally, they reflected on the origins of the Tennis IQ Podcast, discussed what it means to reach the 100th episode of the podcast, and talked about how athletes can move on and continue to grow after reaching and celebrating their milestones. Lastly, they introduced a program where listeners can help to support the podcast through a new Patreon page (link below). Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership Timestamps from the episode: Question from Charlie Ferber about the increased prevalence of sport psychology over the past decades, and growing interest in tennis players pursuing mental training - 6:35 Question from John Kelly about how to continue to grow as a tennis player and develop your game regardless of your age - 16:51 Questions from Steve Gulla about how to avoid playing it too safe, and about how to change to a new surface successfully - 24:50 Questions from Racquel Montemayor about how to play your game when your opponent isn't giving you rhythm, and best practices to handle the most frustrating moments of a match - 40:25 Feedback from Joav Burger - 53:29 Feedback from Barbara Cilli - 55:23 Feedback from John Wilcox - 55:58 Feedback and suggestion from Ian Richmond - 57:13 Announcement about new listener support program through Patreon - 1:01:51 To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 13 Nov 2023 | Ep. 154 - Improving Your Motivation | 00:48:31 | |
Motivation is the driver of our energy and the source of our reward. It's not unusual for tennis players to experience issues with their motivation, and in this episode, Josh and Brian examine ways for players to strengthen their purpose and drive for playing tennis. Purpose, passion, and goals are a few of the topics discussed. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 03 May 2023 | Ep. 131 - Why Practicing Acceptance Is Important | 00:39:15 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss why the concept of acceptance is necessary within a tennis player’s development, and during matches. They review situations in a tennis player’s career when acceptance of one’s progress or current level can be helpful. Additionally, the benefits of accepting the uncertainty of results is examined, as well as accepting that errors will take place, making it easier to process mistakes and move on from them. TEDx Talk by Eric Butorac - Don’t Dream Big - https://youtu.be/B3OoH_O9Y-U | |||
| 01 Oct 2022 | Ep. 103 - Mylène Steinhardt and Maximizing Your Energy | 01:15:06 | |
Mylène Steinhardt is a NASM & PPSC certified health coach who specializes in helping high-school and college tennis players make the cut by rounding out their off court training protocols - primarily through nutrition and strength training. The struggles that Mylène faced as a D2 college athlete have led her to find a passion in helping others work through or even avoid these same problems that keep athletes from reaching their full potential, not only on the court but in all aspects of life. Rather than relying on being told what to do, she believes every young player should be given the tools to coach themselves and thrive as an athlete forever! Reach out to Mylène via Direct Message at https://www.instagram.com/mylenepetitpas. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 19 Jul 2023 | Ep. 141 - Dan McCain and 7 Shot Tennis | 01:02:07 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh interviewed Dan McCain. Dan is an author and a former college coach and director who now serves as the Head Coach and Tennis Director at Cape Henry Racquet Club in Virginia Beach, VA. Dan has published six books on tennis on topics such as raising a champion, goal-setting, movement fundamentals, tactics, and strategy. As a player he had a stand out career as a junior winning USTA gold and silver balls on his way to playing collegiate tennis at University of Michigan. Dan is also one of the principals at 7 Shot Tennis, and in this episode, we discuss 7 Shot Tennis and how it supports mental performance on the court. More information about 7 Shot Tennis can be found at https://www.7shottennis.com/. | |||
| 24 Jun 2021 | Ep. 45 - Preparing for Matches | 00:44:24 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how tennis players can handle pre-match preparation. The co-hosts review how utilizing mental skills the day before and morning of a match can be the difference between performing well and under-performing. They also discuss how scheduling sleep, meals, and hydration can make a big difference in how an athlete feels once their match begins. Lastly, they emphasize that planning for certain scenarios and designing contingency responses can be beneficial just in case those situations end up occurring during matches. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes! | |||
| 04 Jul 2022 | Ep. 90 - The Value of Mini-Wins | 00:42:10 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the concept of mini-wins and mini-celebrations. Tennis players can look to celebrate controllable sources of “mini-wins” that they successfully complete in practice and matches. These could include performing a stroke correctly during practice when they are trying to make a technical adjustment, celebrating successfully completing their pre-match routine, and celebrating going through the in-between point routine in matches. Mini-wins have positive benefits physiologically and psychologically. Dan Abrahams post on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dan-abrahams-b72a306_i-was-re-listening-to-joe-rogan-interview-activity-6947448262857531392-RmZf?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 02 Jun 2023 | Ep. 135 - The Preparation Episode | 00:55:22 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh answer a listener question about creating an episode that can be listened to prior to matches. The co-hosts discussed how tennis players can be clear about their reasons for playing the sport, and find ways to remind themselves of their “why” and their motivation for playing tennis prior to matches. Additionally, they discussed how tennis players can use various mental tools before playing in a match including utilizing types of visualization, reviewing their planned out self-talk, reviewing their in-between point routines, and focusing on their breathing and relaxation. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 27 Mar 2021 | Ep. 33 - Fear of Failure | 01:00:06 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the concept of fear of failure. From their perspective, it is important to determine what it is exactly that is being feared, and how fear manifests itself on the court with physical, mental, and emotional consequences. Mindset shifts and physical tension release strategies to help tennis players deal with these symptoms of fear and pressure are reviewed. Lastly, Brian and Josh talk about how failure and losing are an important and necessary part of the improvement process, and provide quotes (below) relating to this idea. “Nana korobi, ya oki” (English translation: Fall down seven times, stand up eight) - Japanese proverb “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” - Thomas Edison "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." - Michael Jordan To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes! | |||
| 11 Jul 2023 | Ep. 140 - Good Questions for Post-Match Reflection | 00:40:39 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss developing a process to reflect on and learn from matches. The co-hosts review various questions that tennis players can answer after their matches in order to process and learn from each match experience. These questions and exercises can be completed individually, or with a coach or parent. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 10 Sep 2023 | Ep. 147 - Using a Brief Serve Intervention to Improve Performance | 00:29:56 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss a recent case study “Serving a Brief-Contact Cognitive Behavior Therapy Intervention” by Zoe Louise Moffat and Paul McCarthy of Glasgow Caledonian University. The co-hosts summarized the study findings and shared certain actionable takeaways for players. If you’d like to read the paper, please send us an email at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com and we will send it to you. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 08 May 2022 | Ep. 82 - Thoughts on Parenting Young Tennis Players | 00:55:41 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the challenges of parenting tennis players, and offer some good practices to assist in the journey. Topics reviewed include having a clear purpose for why a child plays tennis and the benefits of the sport, parents as performers on match day, ensuring that tennis remains fun, and the benefits of sport sampling for young tennis players. A list of resources for parents and athletes is listed below. USTA Player Development Parent Resources Page: http://www.playerdevelopment.usta.com/parent_resources_/ USTA’s American Development Model: https://www.usta.com/en/home/play/american-development-model.html Sport for Life (Canada) - Long-Term Development Resources: https://sportforlife.ca/long-term-development/ Tennis Canada Tips for Parents: https://www.tenniscanada.com/compete/tips-for-parents/ Presentation on Positive Youth Development in Tennis by Brian Lomax: https://youtu.be/muWzTZ7iPZs Positive Coaching Alliance: https://positivecoach.org/ To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 14 Feb 2024 | Ep. 165 - Wanting to Win and Playing to Win Are Not the Same | 00:31:08 | |
Before a match begins, everyone wants to win, but maintaining that desire throughout the match is not easy. Similarly, we all want to play to win during a match, but that has its own challenges. In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the relationship between the "desire to win" and "playing to win," and the challenges associated with each. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 10 Jan 2022 | Ep. 68 - What It Means to Be Competitive | 00:47:31 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh explore what it truly means for an athlete to be "competitive," and misconceptions surrounding the concept. The co-hosts explain the difference between simply being competitive and being a great competitor. Additionally, they explain potential drawbacks to wanting to win at all costs. Lastly, they take a closer look at the Sport Orientation Questionnaire and discuss the differences between having an orientation primarily focused on winning rather than development and goal-achievement. Research on the Development of the Sport Orientation Questionnaire (Includes the Sport Orientation Questionnaire) : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271994227_Development_of_the_Sport_Orientation_Questionnaire To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 29 Jun 2024 | Ep. 182 - Lessons from Roger Federer at Dartmouth | 00:43:47 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss Roger Federer’s recent commencement address at Dartmouth College. His address included three “lessons” which are: 1) “effortless” is a myth, 2) it’s only a point, and 3) life is bigger than the court. The co-hosts examine how these three “lessons” relate to various sport psychology themes that tennis players can apply to their games.
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| 19 Feb 2025 | Ep. 208 - Tennis Parenting Part 1 | The Difficulties of Tennis Parenting | 00:51:11 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh start a three-part series on tennis parenting. For Part 1, they review the difficulties of tennis parenting, talk about certain positive and negative behaviors of tennis parents, and lastly discuss the preferences that junior players have for how their parents behave. The upcoming two episodes in the series will focus on the educational needs of tennis parents, and how parents can support the competition needs of players.
To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis you can email us at tennisiqpodcast@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying the show please rate us on your favorite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts and Spotify and write a review. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 08 Mar 2024 | Ep. 168 - Motivation and Self-Determination Theory | 00:39:00 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss different aspects of motivation relative to self-determination theory, and how tennis players can be clear about what motivates them in terms of competence, autonomy, and relatedness (basic psychological needs). They also examine how people are generally motivated by a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, rather than being wholly intrinsically or extrinsically motivated. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 26 Feb 2023 | Ep. 122 - Themes from Break Point on Netflix | 00:36:43 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh review Break Point, a recent documentary series on Netflix about the ATP and WTA tours. The co-hosts discussed multiple sport psychology themes that emerged throughout the series. These themes included the importance of building an effective team around a player, dealing with expectations, the importance of mental toughness on the professional tours, and “locker room power” - the intimidating presence of top players on tour. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 22 Sep 2022 | Ep. 102 - Reflections on Roger Federer and Serena Williams | 00:44:45 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the careers of Serena Williams and Roger Federer. Both players have recently announced their retirements from the sport and they are both consistently ranked among the greatest tennis players of all time. The co-hosts reflect on their legacies, the mental qualities that led to their greatness, and certain matches in their careers when they exemplified mental toughness, resilience, and perseverance. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 29 Nov 2023 | Ep. 156 - The Performance Impact of Increasing Tolerance of Discomfort | 00:51:22 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the importance of tolerance as a mental skill. This includes both physical tolerance (pain, withstanding physical training, playing in heat, etc.) as well as emotional tolerance. The co-hosts discuss how applying mental tools such as self-talk, visualization, and journaling can be helpful for building tolerance. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 10 Jan 2021 | Ep. 22 - Senior Tennis and Why We Play | 00:45:16 | |
Episode 22 of the Tennis IQ Podcast discusses senior tennis through the perspective of self-determination theory (SDT). We discuss autonomy, competence (mastery), and relatedness as critical factors for helping senior tennis players stay motivated. We also discuss the importance of training perceptual skills, decision making skills, and mental toughness as a way for players to continue to perform at a high level and even improve as a they get older. Links: Tips for maintaining your edge: https://www.fredericknewspost.com/public/ap/older-amateurs-offer-tips-for-maintaining-your-athletic-edge/article_cc86a80a-3a9d-56c3-9ca7-03a72ed6ee03.html Motivation and morality in senior athletes: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1612197x.2014.956326?casa_token=dU3COke3lY4AAAAA%3Af67dgFQcXdeQxmcCnKfH1jX9-_C3jzLkfckHpW1ExYNJHju_5G8S-R11Bm2bCsSAQdGgLfR-NEwC& Articles on why tennis is a great sport for long-term health: https://www.mdlinx.com/article/people-who-play-this-sport-live-longest/lfc-3433 https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/05/well/move/the-best-sport-for-a-longer-life-try-tennis.html To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes! | |||
| 14 Jan 2023 | Ep. 116 - The Value of Good Mistakes | 00:47:00 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the value of making good mistakes. The co-hosts reviewed what they mean by “good mistakes” and how they differ from “bad mistakes”, and talked about how tennis players should be accepting of mistakes and play to win rather than try to avoid missing and making mistakes. Furthermore, they considered how committing to a game plan and playing style leads to the “necessary experience” of making good mistakes in certain moments, which will lead to further learning and developing a game for the future. Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership | |||
| 04 Jan 2025 | Ep. 202 - The Paradox of the Ego | 00:46:02 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss a concept known as "the paradox of the ego." In short, the paradox is that it is necessary to have a strong ego in order to eventually let go of it. The co-hosts address how tennis players can eventually learn to put their own egos about results, rankings, ratings, and comparisons aside for the benefit of their future and development. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis you can email us at tennisiqpodcast@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying the show please rate us on your favorite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts and Spotify and write a review. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 07 Oct 2022 | Ep. 104 - Self-Compassion Is Good for You! | 00:51:51 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss self-compassion. Self-compassion is a process that tennis players can/should embrace during matches, practices, and throughout their tennis development. Topics discussed in this episode include: awareness/mindfulness, maintaining perspective during the countless ups and downs that tennis players face throughout their careers, and the inevitability of having to deal with missed shots and mistakes during matches. Resources and links mentioned in this episode: To support the podcast, visit the Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membership To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes. | |||
| 30 Apr 2021 | Ep. 38 - Developing Your Potential | 00:51:54 | |
When it comes to developing your potential as a tennis player, there are a number of factors involved. In this episode, Brian and Josh review several of those factors including the relationship between talent and potential, your genes, access to facilities and/or coaching, and the mindset required to develop your talent. The Performance Equation [Actual Performance] = [Potential Performance] - [Interference] | |||
| 24 Aug 2023 | Ep. 145 - The Connection Between Performance and Behavior | 00:49:13 | |
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the connection between a tennis player’s behavior and their performance. This conversation started with a quote from Frank Slootman, "Performance is something that we will give more time; behavior we won’t. And that’s because behavior is a choice, not a skill set.” The co-hosts discussed whether they believe that behavior is ultimately a choice, and talked about how tennis players can prioritize controlling the aspects of performance that they’re able to control and impact. | |||