Ed Shanaphy; Beyond the Baselines Podcast; Wimbledon; Team Tennis

Picture this: a world where the rhythm of a backhand slice syncs perfectly with a classical symphony. That's the world Ed Shanaphy, our guest and the Director of Club Operations at the Boulevard Tennis Club, lives in every day. Ed takes us on a journey that's as much about love and backhands as it is about crescendos and cadences. We toast to Dena's latest victory, walk the line between tennis and music with Ed's college days at Duke and post-grad days at London School of Economics, and even take a side trip into British TV land.
Shifting the spotlight to the courts, we tackle a touchy subject head-on: the scarcity of female coaches in tennis and the unique challenges they face. Ed dishes out his experiences with the club dynamics and how female pros shine at country clubs, despite the seasonal staffing hurdles and housing conundrums. We volley through the politics of team management, with team captains wielding influence like seasoned umpires, and serve up some alternative tennis formats designed to keep the game fun and players fully engaged.
Wrapping up with aces, we chat about the unexpected silver linings the pandemic brought to sports like golf and the ace up tennis's sleeve—its health benefits. We share anecdotes that reflect the importance of the right gear, the mental game's impact on performance, and family health strategies that go beyond the baseline. So, whether you're here for the stories, the strategies, or just for a good laugh, this episode serves up an engaging game-set-match you won't want to miss. Keep in touch with our Dirty Tennis, Clean Living journey on social media, and join in the conversation with your thoughts on the game's most inspiring language topics. Your input? It's as crucial as a well-placed lob.