The Tennis Files Podcast

On Episode 216 of The Tennis Files Podcast, coach Vesa Ponkka will reveal how to find your ideal contact point for more powerful and consistent ball striking.Coach Vesa Ponnka is Senior Director of Tennis at the Junior Tennis Champions Center, home to Frances Tiafoe, Denis Kudla, and numerous other elite players. He was selected as the 2011 USOC National Developmental Coach of the Year and has trained top junior players in the United States and Europe for national, NCAA, ITF and professional competition. Vesa’s students have won numerous professional and national titles, achieved the #1 ITF Junior World Ranking, several #1 USTA National Rankings, and NCAA All-American honors. He also received several certifications including USPTA, PTR, and USTA High Performance.On the show, you’ll learn the benefits of having a good contact point, the different factors that determine your ideal contact point, how a good contact point will help you hit a more powerful and heavier ball, why using your eyes and your brain are t

On Episode 215 of The Tennis Files Podcast, you’ll learn how to reduce mishits, strike the ball cleaner, and anticipate where your opponent’s shot is going.There are three phases you need to learn when the ball is in play: (1) tracking (2) zooming and (3) scanning. A lot of players end up tracking the ball when they should be scanning the opponent instead or vice versa, and many don’t zoom on the ball long enough. These terms may sound confusing, which is why on this episode I’ll walk you through each phase, drills you can do to improve them, how to analyze your opponent using the 4 Ps, and much more!I really hope you enjoy this episode! If you found it helpful, let me know in the comments below!And be sure to subscribe to Tennis Files to receive the latest tennis content to improve your game straight to your inbox!Tennis Summit 2021The Tennis Files Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Episode 214 of The Tennis Files Podcast, I spoke with coach Steve Smith about how to develop a great base of tennis fundamentals.Coach Steve Smith spent many years learning and coaching under tennis legends Vic Braden and Welby Van Horn. He founded the Great Base tennis player development system, which comprises a complete system of player development that emphasizes character, learning, and self-discipline. With over 48+ years of tennis coaching experience, Steve is also willing to share his knowledge through The Great Base Tennis Podcast with Andy Fitzell.On the show, you’ll learn how to transform your strokes, the best advice Steve has learned from tennis legends Vic Braden and Welby Van Horn, how to improve your toss and serve technique, why we have weaker backhands, how to win club level doubles matches, and much more!I hope you enjoy my interview with Steve! Let us know what you think about this episode in the comments below!And be sure to subscribe to Tennis Files to receive the latest tennis conten

On Episode 213 of The Tennis Files Podcast, I spoke with New York Times correspondent and author Christopher Clarey about his new book: “The Master: The Long Run and Beautiful Game of Roger Federer.”Chris is a top international sportswriter and has been a New York Times correspondent for over 25 years. He has covered Roger Federer since the beginning of the Swiss Maestro’s professional career and has interviewed him exclusively more than any other journalist since Federer’s rise to prominence. Chris has just published a new book, “The Master: The Long Run and Beautiful Game of Roger Federer,” this week. It focuses on the pivotal people, places, and moments in Federer's long and rich career and features hundreds of perspectives from him and the many people he played, trained, and interacted with since his early days in tennis.I was fortunate enough to read an advanced copy of Chris’s book and have thoroughly enjoyed its detailed insights, entertaining stories, unique humor, and the many teachable principles th

On Episode 212 of The Tennis Files Podcast, you’ll learn how to develop a consistent second serve, how to anticipate where your opponent’s shot is going, my favorite pressure drills, and more on this Q&A edition of the show!I receive tons of questions from the Tennis Files audience on technique, strategy, fitness, and the mental game. On today’s episode, I’ll answer nine of them based on what I’ve learned from decades of playing and from the top pros and experts I’ve interviewed on my podcast and summits. Big thanks to the Tennis Files community and to everyone who has sent me questions!I really hope you enjoy the show! If there is a particularly useful piece of advice that you discovered from it, let me know in the comments below.And be sure to subscribe to Tennis Files to receive the latest tennis content to improve your game straight to your inbox.LINKS:TFP 210: Serve Technique Masterclass with James LudlowTopspin ProMovement Triangle Video Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Episode 211 of The Tennis Files Podcast, former WTA pro Vania King discusses the ups and downs of a professional tennis career and her latest project Serving Up Hope.Vania reached career high rankings of #3 in the world in doubles and #50 in the world in singles on the WTA Tour. She also won two Grand Slams, winning the 2010 Wimbledon and US Open Doubles Championships with partner Yaroslava Shvedova. Vania currently works as the Community Development Ambassador for WTA Charities, the philanthropic arm of the WTA, and is a Director At Large on the USTA’s Board of Directors. Vania co-founded Serving Up Hope with former Chilean #1 ranked tennis player Hans Podlipnik to help give more human beings access to health, happiness, and equal opportunity through tennis.On the show, you’ll learn how to improve your mental health, the most impactful technical changes Vania has made to her game, how to navigate the ups and downs of the pro tour, winning doubles strategies, how to avoid injuries through tennis fitness tr

On Episode 210 of The Tennis Files Podcast, coach James Ludlow and Mehrban take a deep dive into the toughest shot to master with the greatest rewards: the serve.James is a Certified Tennis Instructor at Online Tennis Instruction (OTI). In 2021, James  attended a tennis clinic with the Head Coach and Founder of OTI, Florian Meier. Since then, he has developed a huge passion for the technical side of tennis and had spent thousands of hours studying and testing what works and what doesn’t when it comes to stroke biomechanics. James analyzes OTI students’ strokes and creates instructional videos for OTI’s Youtube channel.On the show, you’ll learn how to improve your throwing motion, how to develop a consistent toss, whether to use the platform or pinpoint stance, the key to having a great kick serve, how to avoid overrotation, what part of the serve tennis players struggle with most and how to fix it, and much more!I hope you enjoy my interview with James! Let us know what you think about this episode in the com

On Episode 209 of The Tennis Files Podcast, you’ll learn the 5 keys to mastering an explosive forehand.On the show, you’ll learn how to execute a proper unit turn, how to uncoil your body efficiently, the most common forehand power killers, how the contact point varies for different grips, drills to develop powerful acceleration, and much more!I really hope you enjoy this episode! If you found it helpful, let me know in the comments below!And be sure to subscribe to Tennis Files to receive the latest tennis content to improve your game straight to your inbox!FH Power Challengemehrban@tennisfiles.comThe Tennis Files Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Episode 208 of The Tennis Files Podcast, pro tennis coach Claudio Pistolesi reveals his top insights from over four decades of playing and coaching on the ATP/WTA Tour that will help you reach your fullest tennis potential.Claudio is the Director of the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) Bolles in Jacksonville, Florida. He was ranked as high as #71 on the ATP Tour and defeated many top ATP Tour pros, including Mats Wilander, Sergi Bruguera, David Wheaton, and Aaron Krickstein. Claudio has trained and coached numerous top ATP/WTA Tour pros, including Monica Seles, Robin Soderling, Simone Bollelli, Daniela Hantuchova, Takao Suzuki and Ai Sugiyama. He is also a volunteer coach for the University of North Florida Tennis Team.On the show, you’ll learn why Italy has so many top #100 ranked tennis players, how the sound of an Italian cannon helped develop a world class serve, how Claudio got in the zone and defeated world #1 Mats Wilander, how he brought Simone Bolelli from world #248 to #36 in less than three

On Episode 207 of The Tennis Files Podcast, high performance coaches Mark Jeffery and Ramon Osa will reveal how to play your best tennis when it matters most.Mark Jeffery is the founder of Big Point Player Training. He is a 12 years British HM Forces veteran, former Army champion, and mentors players and coaches on how to perform their best under high pressure. Ramon Osa is a world-class tennis coach, Tennis Summit instructor, and the founder of OsaTennis360.On the show, you’ll learn the four key elements that will elevate your tennis performance, examples of mental toughness in the Wimbledon finals matches, a 20 second routine in between points to help you reset and refocus, and much more!I hope you enjoy my interview with Mark and Ramon! Let us know what you think about this episode in the comments below!And be sure to subscribe to Tennis Files to receive the latest tennis content to improve your game straight to your inbox!Big Point Player Free Quiz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch

On Episode 206 of The Tennis Files Podcast, 17-time Grand Slam Champion Gigi Fernandez will show you how to set and achieve your tennis goals. If you have a strong desire to accomplish big goals in tennis and want to maximize your potential, don’t miss this episode! Former world #1 Gigi Fernandez is widely considered to be one of the best doubles players of all time. She is a Hall of Famer, winner of 17 Grand Slam doubles titles with various partners, and 2 Olympic Gold Medals with Mary Joe Fernandez. In 2000, Gigi was named Puerto Rican Athlete of the Century. Gigi now spends her time coaching adult players how to excel at doubles and developed the Gigi Method of doubles.On the show, you’ll learn how to get unstuck when you’ve been on a losing streak and unhappy with your progress, how to set the right weekly, monthly and yearly tennis goals, how to communicate with your doubles partners, the keys to Gigi’s massive success on the WTA Tour, and much more!I hope you enjoy my interview with Gigi! Let us know wh

On Episode 205 of The Tennis Files Podcast, world renowned sports science and fitness expert Dr. Mark Kovacs will reveal how to develop biomechanically efficient technique on your serve and backhand.Mark is a performance physiologist, researcher, professor, author, speaker and coach with an extensive background in training and researching elite athletes. He is the Senior Director of Sports Science for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the founder of The International Tennis Performance Association (ITPA) of which I am a proud member. He is also the founder of the Kovacs Institute which is based in Atlanta, GA. Mark has trained numerous top professional tennis players, including John Isner, Sloane Stephens, Sam Querrey, Donald Young and Melanie Oudin.On the show, you’ll learn the biggest technical mistakes you need to correct, optimal two handed backhand technique, visual cues for using your kinetic chain, how to transfer your weight on the serve, why your back leg is the secret to generating explosive power, exerci

On Episode 204 of the podcast, mental game expert Jeff Greenwald will reveal the keys to mastering your mind, including technical and tactical adjustments in the most common pressure situations.Jeff is an internationally recognized sport psychology consultant and licensed psychotherapist. He is the author of the 3rd best-selling tennis psychology book entitled The Best Tennis of Your Life and Fearless Tennis. He was also ranked No.1 in the world in the men’s 35 age division, and is a two-time ITF World Champion and former ATP Tour player. Jeff has been helping athletes and professionals through his personal coaching, seminars, book, and audio programs for several decades.You’ll learn how to improve your mindset and mental preparation, how to perform your best under pressure, how to stay focused and present during matches, and much more on the show!I hope you enjoy this episode with Jeff! Let us know what you think about this episode in the comments below!LINKS:Fearless TennisThe Tennis Files Podcast Learn mor

On Episode 203 of the podcast, I’ll walk you through my 9 biggest takeaways that I learned from taking a private lesson at the USTA National Campus.I recently took a trip to Orlando and booked a one-on-one lesson at the USTA National Campus a few days before returning home. This training session was a big eye opener to the areas in my game that could use some work. Right after the lesson, I jotted down my key takeaways from the lesson in the notes app of my iPhone and decided that I would share them with you on the podcast. They include tips that will help you improve your forehand, backhand, volleys, serves, doubles tactics, and much more! I really hope you enjoy this episode! If you found it helpful, let me know by leaving a review for the show!And be sure to subscribe to Tennis Files to receive the latest tennis content to improve your game straight to your inbox!LINKSUSTA National CampusPrecision HydrationThe Tennis Files PodcastTennis Files - Subscribe Here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph

On Episode 202 of the podcast, coach Sarah Stone discusses the women’s game, WTA Tour coaching, mixed doubles tactics, how to choose the right coach for junior players, coaching mistakes and much more!Sarah has been coaching on the WTA tour for over 10 years. A former professional player, Stone has a vast amount of experience at the very top of women's tennis. Sarah was the coach of Samantha Stosur who was a 3-time grand slam champion whilst under her tutelage. Additionally, she has coached 5 other top 100 players. She is one of very few females coaching on the WTA tour and to be a WTA Gold Coach. Sarah is the founder and CEO of The Women's Tennis Coaching Association (a non-profit organization) and is a committee member of the International Club of Australia.I hope you enjoy my interview with Sarah! Let us know what you think about this episode in the comments below!Sarah Stone Tennis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the podcast, former top 30 WTA Pro Meike Babel reveals her top mental game strategies.Meike played on the WTA Tour for 10 years and was ranked #27 in singles and #45 in doubles. She is the founder of Meike Babel Coaching, where she focuses on mental skills training and tennis coaching for tennis players of all levels. She was the women's tennis assistant coach at Tulane University and at Vanderbilt University.On the show, Meike will share how she reached the elite ranks of the WTA tour, her top mental game strategies and what not to do on the court, reasons why you need to practice mindfulness to reach your potential, why getting nervous is normal and how to deal with it, and much more!I hope you enjoy my interview with Meike! Let us know what you think about this episode in the comments below!LINKS:The Art of Doubles - Pat BlaskowerOpen - Andre AgassiHeadspaceMeike Babel CoachingMeike’s YouTube ChannelMeike’s FacebookMeike’s Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a

Today's episode is a very special one! We are celebrating 200 episodes of The Tennis Files Podcast by featuring clips from 11 of the most downloaded interviews and discussions over the years on the show! Here's the list of tennis experts, coaches, and players you'll hear from in this special 200th episode of The Tennis Files Podcast: Jorge Capestany (Episode 161) Emilio Sanchez (Episode 129) 7 Do’s and Don'ts for Doubles Players (Episode 160) Edgar Giffenig (Episode 164) Taylor Dent (Episode 128) Dean Hollingworth (Episode 125) Todd Widom (Episode 115) Nick Bollettieri (Episode 113) Gregg Le Sueur (Episode 150) Rick Macci (Episode 143) Marcus Willis (Episode 185) I really hope you enjoy this 200th celebratory podcast episode that we put together for you!  It’s about three hours long, so if you don’t listen to the whole thing in one sitting I won’t blame you :)Let me know what you think about it in the comments below! Thanks for all your support! :O) LINKS:The Tennis Files Podcast Learn more about your ad choi

On this episode of the podcast, Peter Freeman from Crunch Time Coaching reveals 8 key strategies to help you defeat pushers, aka the most exhausting player (MEP).There’s a certain type of opponent that amateur tennis players routinely struggle playing against. These players have no weapons (except their mind and grit), their strokes look inferior...and yet they somehow find a way to take you out of your comfort zone and eventually defeat you. Fortunately Coach Peter Freeman will walk you through 8 key strategic and mental principles that will help you figure out how to beat these players.Enjoy this masterclass on how to defeat pushers with Pete and me on this latest episode of The Tennis Files Podcast!LINKSThe Tennis Files PodcastTennis Files YouTube ChannelCrunch Time Coaching Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the podcast, top tennis strategist Craig O’Shannessy will reveal the secret formula for transforming how you play the game: the first four shots. In this strategy masterclass, Craig presents mind-blowing statistics that definitively prove why we are focusing on the wrong rally lengths in practice, how to change our training and tactics for maximum results, and how to dominate the first four shots to win more matches.Craig is widely recognized as the world leader in teaching and analyzing tennis strategy. He specializes in this specific area of the sport, and created his online Brain Game Tennis programs to teach players, coaches and fans the patterns of play and winning percentages that dominate our sport. Craig has worked with numerous professional tennis players, including Mario Berrettini, Kevin Anderson, Amer Delic, Rajeev Ram and Dustin Brown, when Dustin defeated Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon. He is also frequently featured as a commentator and analyst at all the Grand Slams and big tourn

On this episode of the podcast, Mehrban recaps his top 10 lessons learned from all the amazing 45+ Tennis Summit 2021 sessions on technique, strategy, fitness, and the mental game with Peter Freeman from Crunch Time Coaching! You’ll learn Mehrban’s biggest takeaways from Craig O’Shannessy, Louis Cayer, Jorge Capestany, Satoshi Ochi, Peter Freeman, and many more from this year’s epic summit, which had over 11,000 players and coaches who attended! Pick one of these lessons that resonates with you and block time on your calendar to work on it consistently each week. Enjoy!The Tennis Files PodcastCrunch Time Coaching Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices