The Tennis Files Podcast

In this special episode, I will answer questions from the Tennis Files community about net play, serve power, injury recovery, and footwork.

When you subscribe to my newsletter, you’ll be directed to an optional form where you can describe your tennis-related challenges. I’ve received tons of questions from the Tennis Files audience, and after reviewing some of them, we’ll be answering 12 of them in this episode. A big thank you to the Tennis Files community for sending in your 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.

Simple Speed Workout Routine

Simple Leg Workout Routine

16-Second Cure

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On today’s episode of The Tennis Files Podcast, I spoke with Mark Gonzalez from Alpha Racquet Sports about stringing machines. I asked Mark about the different types of stringing machines, how to choose the right one for you, and tips and tricks to become a great stringer. The International Alliance of Racquet Stringers (IART) has said that Mark’s knowledge of stringing machines ranks among the very best in the industry.

Mark wears many hats in the tennis world; he is a Sales Manager for Alpha Racquet Sports, an industry consultant for IART, and a Yonex rep. Mark has a reputation for being super responsive and has helped me figure out my stringing machine needs. When I did research on best value stringing machines, Alpha was the brand that popped up more often than all the others in the forums and everywhere else, which is why I decided to bring Mark on the podcast.

It was a pleasure having Mark on The Tennis Files Podcast, and I know this episode will help you choose the right stringing machine for your game and become a better stringer. You'll also save a lot of cash if you get a tennis machine which you can use to play more tennis, upgrade your racquets, and enjoy happy hour after your league matches (if you are of-age, anyway! :) )

I hope you enjoy this episode of TFP with Mark, and let us know what you think in the comments below!

Time-Stamped Show Notes

Intro

[4:02] The biggest advantage of owning a stringing machine

[5:32] The biggest hesitation that players have when deciding whether to buy a stringing machine

[7:20] What sparked Mark’s interest into the world of stringing machines

[9:46] The stringing machines Mark has used throughout his tennis and stringing career?

Researching Stringing Machines

[11:47] The optimal approach to buying a machine

[14:30] When buying a stringing machine, do we plan for the short term or long term? i.e. space in apartment, stringing skill level, potential to string for others, etc.

[15:47] What are the biggest mistakes people make when buying a stringing machine?

Different Types of Stringing Machines

[17:31] What are the different types of stringing machines?

[20:42] The kind of machine Mark recommends for a player’s first machine, that plays 2-3 times a week and breaks strings once every 2-3 weeks?

[21:55] The drop weight machine is the cheapest kind generally - why is that?

[23:53] Who would you suggest a drop weight machine for?

[25:06] Why drop weights can be one of the most accurate types of stringing machines despite the price

[25:47] Is an electric machine worth it, and if so, what type of players would you suggest get one?

[27:58] 2 point vs 6 point machines - what does this mean, and does it matter?

Stringing Accessories

[29:38] The most helpful stringing tools for stringing raquets

[32:29] What part of the stringing machine tends to break the fastest and what to do about it

[34:55] What is the WISE electronic tensioner head and what type of benefit would we gain from getting one? Is it worth it?

Stringing Racquets at this year’s Australian Open

[37:33] Mark’s experience stringing at the Australian Open and the ATP/WTA players he strung racquets for

Stringing Technique

[40:19] The biggest mistakes novice and intermediate stringers make

[41:40] The best way to measure how much string you need to string your racquet and the “4-Wingspan Rule”

Alpha Stringing Machines

[42:57] The awesome stringing machines Alpha has in its lineup and a cool story about customer service

[49:46] Are there any new machines planned for Alpha in the near future, and how we can get an Alpha stringing machine if we are interested in...

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On today's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jeff Greenwald, an internationally recognized sports psychology consultant and licensed therapist who specializes in the mental game of tennis. Jeff gave us some fantastic advice on how we can play better tennis by improving the way we think on court and about the game on Episode 46 of The Tennis Files Podcast. If you haven't listened to Episode 44 with Neil Endicott on Mindfulness-Based Tennis Psychology yet, definitely check that one out as well.

Jeff is author of a fantastic book entitled The Best Tennis of Your Life: 50 Strategies for Fearless Performance. He is also a speaker and a former world-ranked pro on the ATP Tour who went on to reach the No. 1 ITF ranking in the world and U.S in the men’s 35-age division.

The mental game is such an important part of tennis and I am really excited to bring you this interview with Jeff. We discuss the most important lessons Jeff has learned about the mental game, his biggest struggles on the court, advice that he'd give his younger college/ATP pro playing self, tips on how to improve your mental approach, and much more. Jeff's advice will help you deal with pressure during matches so you can play better tennis. Click the play button above to listen to the interview. Enjoy!

Time-Stamped Show Notes:

[1:11] How did Jeff got to where he is today in his tennis career

[1:55] What Jeff learned most from The Bollettieri Academy

[3:10] Jeff's most difficult moment as a professional tennis player that pushed him mentally?

[5:27] Jeff's advice to himself as a 20-year old college/ATP pro player

[7:47] What can we do to strengthen our mental game?

[10:15] What are a few things we can do during a match to help us reset for the next point?

[13:12] How can we stay positive after a series of losses?

[15:45] Strategies from Jeff’s book that will make a substantial impact on your performance

[18:36] Books Jeff recommends you read to improve your mental game

The Power of Full Engagement - Jim Loehr

Way of the Peaceful Warrior - Dan Millman

Winning Ugly - Brad Gilbert

Open - Andre Agassi

Man’s Search for Meaning - Viktor E. Frankl and William J. Winslade

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success - Carol S. Dweck

[22:02] One key tip from Jeff to help you improve your tennis game

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On Episode 338 of The Tennis Files Podcast, you’ll learn how to structure your tennis workouts with Nathan Martin from Tennis Fitness.

Nathan Martin has worked on the ATP and WTA circuits since 1999, including as a head tennis trainer at the renowned Sanchez Casal tennis academy in Barcelona. He specializes in strengthening and conditioning tennis players. Together with his wife, Giselle Martin, they have successfully created a unique tennis fitness system at tennisfitness.com called the Martin Method. Nathan and Giselle have also developed a deep knowledge of how to produce elite female athletes through their partnership with the WTCA (Women Tennis Coaching Association). They have trained numerous legendary ATP and WTA pros such as Lleyton Hewitt, Martina Navratilova, Sam Stosur, Monica Seles, and Jennifer Capriati, while also developing new programs to improve amateur players' tennis fitness and empowering the next group of young players.

On the show, you’ll learn how to structure your weekly fitness workouts, the top exercises to enhance your flexibility, mobility and strength, the best movement drills for your on-court fitness sessions, and much more!

I hope you enjoy my interview with Nathan! 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 into your inbox!

Nathan’s Tennis Speed, Agility and Power Program

Episode 119 with Nathan

Tennis Fitness Instagram

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On Episode 316 of The Tennis Files Podcast, you’ll learn how to develop a winning mentality with coach Jack Schore.

Jack is the President and Founder at Jack Schore Tennis and the President of the Urban Leadership Development Group. He is also the CEO of Montgomery TennisPlex which is one of the biggest junior facilities in the nation. He has coached five players ranked in top fifty in the world, including Grand Slam champions in doubles. He was a three-time winner of the Montgomery County Tennis Association “Tennis Coach of the Year”.

On the show, you’ll learn the three common traits among his top players, how to get 100% out of practice, how to win during crunch time, keys to developing a winning team, differences between coaching individuals and teams, and much more!

I hope you enjoy my interview with Jack! Let us know what you think about the 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!

Montgomery TennisPlex

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