In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss anger and what people often get wrong about it. The conversation is based on an article entitled “4 Things About Anger Everyone Should Know." The co-hosts review their thoughts on each of the four things noted in the article and provide practical implications of understanding anger for tennis players.

Article: https://www.thefriendlymind.com/4-things-about-anger-everyone-should-know/

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, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes.

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
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.

"Never confuse yourself by visions of an entire lifetime at once. That is, do not let your thoughts range over the whole multitude and variety of the misfortunes that may befall you, but rather, as you encounter each one, ask yourself, ‘What is there unendurable, so insupportable, in this?’ You will find that you are ashamed to admit defeat. Again, remember that it is not the weight of the future or the past that is pressing upon you, but ever that of the present alone." - Marcus Aurelius In this episode, Brian and Josh consider the above quote from the eighth book of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, and how it relates to a tennis player's experience in a match and over the course of a career. This ancient wisdom can help us to be be our best selves in the present moment.

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.

"If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same"

This quote appears above the door leading to Wimbledon's Centre Court and it is a challenge to all players who step on to that most famous court. In this episode, Josh and Brian discuss the excerpt from Rudyard Kipling's poem 'If-' and relate it to the difficulties players encounter during a tennis match. Additionally, they relate this quote to one from Theodore Roosevelt's 'The Man in the Arena' speech. Both quotes provide important viewpoints and perspectives to consider while watching and playing tennis.

Text of 'If-': https://poets.org/poem/if

Text of 'The Man in the Arena' speech: https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/Learn-About-TR/TR-Encyclopedia/Culture-and-Society/Man-in-the-Arena.aspx

Blog post explaining Triumph and Disaster: https://performancextra.com/stoicism-in-sport/triumph-and-disaster-treat-those-two-imposters-the-same/

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.

In this episode, Brian and Josh respond to a listener question about playing in the extreme heat. Topics discussed include the importance of preparation, the need to control the controllables, and how understanding your body and limits prior to a match gives you a better chance to perform at a high level. Additionally, they review the importance of maintaining perspective and connecting to a deeper purpose of improvement and performance excellence in order to embrace extreme weather conditions and heat.  

References: 

Craighead, D. H., Shank, S. W., Gottschall, J. S., Passe, D. H., Murray, B., Alexander, L. M., & Kenney, W. L. (2017). Ingestion of transient receptor potential channel agonists attenuates exercise‐induced muscle cramps. Muscle & Nerve, 56(3), 379-385. https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.25611  

Gomes, R. V., Moreira, A., Lodo, L., Nosaka, K., Coutts, A. J., & Aoki, M. S. (2013). Monitoring training loads, stress, immune-endocrine responses and performance in tennis players. Biology of Sport, 30(3), 173-180. doi: 10.5604/20831862.1059169  

Kovacs, M. S. (2007). Tennis physiology: Training the competitive athlete. Sports Medicine, 37(3), 189-198. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200737030-00001  

Kovacs, M. S., & Baker, L. B. (2014). Recovery interventions and strategies for improved tennis performance. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48, i18-i21. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2013-093223  

Ojala, T., & Häkkinen, K. (2013). Effects of the tennis tournament on players' physical performance, hormonal responses muscle damage and recovery. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 12, 240-248.  

Ranchordas, M. K., Rogersion, D., Ruddock, A., Killer, S. C., & Winter, E. M. (2013). Nutrition for tennis: Practical recommendations. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 12(2), 211-224.  

Reid, M., & Duffield, R. (2014). The development of fatigue during match-play tennis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48, i7-i11. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2013-093196  

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.

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss self-talk strategies to handle Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANT’s). Certain strategies mentioned were inspired from the book Chatter by Ethan Kross including distancing from the problem (seeing it from an outsider’s perspective), journaling, and using one’s own voice when communicating through self-talk. Additionally, the co-hosts reviewed the importance of developing one’s personal philosophy and building character when it comes to developing effective self-talk strategies.  

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.

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.

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss strategies for how tennis players can handle slumps. Slumps are times when players have a losing streak, lose more matches than they are accustomed to, or simply when a player has a period of time when they aren’t playing at their best. The co-hosts talked about research relating to the factors that determine how a player handles a slump, discussed the impact of psychological momentum, and reviewed the importance of how an individual appraises their slump.  

Research study mentioned in the episode: “Overcoming performance slumps: Psychological resilience in expert cricket batsmen” -  Chris Brown, Joanne Butt, and Mustafar Sarkar of Sheffield Hallam University http://shura.shu.ac.uk/23679/1/Brown%2C%20Butt%2C%20Sakar%20Performance%20slumps%20resilience%202018.pdf  

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.

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

Brian Park is the CEO & Founder of Apeak and is a Sports Psychology Performance Consultant. He has a Master's in Sport Psychology and worked as a high-performance coach and Sport Psychology performance consultant, helping competitive tennis players to reach their full potential. In this conversation, we talk to Brian about his career, and Apeak's mission of making mental toughness training accessible and affordable to all.  

Link to download Apeak: https://apeak.com/onboarding/download  

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.

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the mental attributes of Carlos Alcaraz that have led to his rise in the rankings. The co-hosts consider the confidence, humility, and work ethic that he has shown thus far in his career, and how rare it is to see such traits from someone his age (19 years old). Furthermore, they review how all tennis players can learn from Alcaraz’s motivational and instructional self-talk (featured in the first quote below) and the positive impact that activating the coaching voice by using the player’s own name has on performance. Below are quotes that were mentioned during the episode.  

 

“I lost the second set, and then after, I went to the bathroom. It helped me,” Alcaraz recalled. “I washed my face. ‘Okay, Charlie, if you're not going to pull out, think about playing. Don't think on your ankle. Don't think on nothing else. Fight till the very last ball, because you know that you are capable of doing it.’”  

"I have five more to go to be the best in the world."  

“I am not afraid to say I want to win a Grand Slam, I know it is going to be really hard, but I am not afraid to say it.”    

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.

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.

In this episode, Brian and Josh discussed the role of identity and self-image on tennis and performance. The co-hosts examined the connection between identity, behavior and feelings, and differentiated between two pathways and the consequences of each. The two pathways are 1) starting with developing our identity which leads to certain behaviors and feelings vs. 2) starting with our feelings in a situation which leads to certain actions and identity as more of an afterthought rather than a priority.

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.

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the challenges of closing out a match. Topics reviewed include loss aversion, the benefits of practicing being a closer, and how you can use a self-talk closing script and visualization to help you have a plan for closing situations. Additionally, the co-hosts talk about how professional players often struggle to close out matches, and that this is a phenomenon that occurs at all levels of the game.    

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.

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.

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss self-talk strategies for tennis players to optimize their internal dialogue. Strategies discussed include utilizing a self-talk log, cognitive restructuring/reframing, thought stopping/replacement, repetitive writing, and using scripts. The co-hosts emphasize that regardless of the strategy utilized, it is important to “listen to yourself less, and talk to yourself more” (h/t @DanAbrahams77) - don’t listen to everything that goes through your mind and talk to yourself in a productive and intentional 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. 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.

This episode is a follow-up to an earlier conversation on the topic of cheating in tennis. In Ep. 24, Brian and Josh discussed how players can respond to instances of cheating as well as how to handle "difficult" opponents. In this conversation, the co-hosts expand on the topic, and examine why cheating occurs, how to reframe cheating in your mind, what to do when a bad line call occurs, and additional strategies players can use when they encounter cheating.

For more on this topic, check out Ep. 24 - Dealing With Cheating and Difficult Opponents

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how tennis players can find their optimal level of intensity on the practice court and in matches. The co-hosts outline some of the research concepts relating to Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning (IZOF) and the Inverted-U Theory which shows the relationship between pressure and performance (also known as the Yerkes-Dodson Law). They discuss how tennis players can use mental preparation to control their intensity levels, and review specific ways that tennis players can increase or decrease their levels of intensity on the court during matches.  

Aaron Donald pre-game speech (self-talk) - https://youtu.be/y4P7D5fEXJI  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In this episode, Josh and Brian discuss how tennis players can respond after a tough loss. Whether that loss is a blowout, a match that a player feels that they lost to a weaker player, or a close match, there are strategies that tennis players can utilize to increase the likelihood of bouncing back successfully. Much of the conversation is based on Emma Raducanu's response to her recent 6-0 6-1 loss and the way that she handled the situation in the immediate aftermath.    Quotes by Emma Raducanu referenced in this episode:    “I just want to keep putting myself out there. Even if I keep getting knocked down. It’s just about getting back up. You’re one step better and you learn more.”    “After the match I got a box of balls and went straight to practice. I felt like I could have done some things better in the match, and I wanted to try to fix it straight away.”    “I could have easily said it’s too soon and just play next week, but I wanted to really test where I’m at. I think this will help in putting me in a better place for next week.”    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.

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.

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.

This episode discusses examples of self-limiting beliefs that tennis players place on themselves and some strategies for dealing with those beliefs. Examples of self-limiting beliefs are perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and focusing solely on winning. This conversation also included a discussion on the difference between fixed and growth mindsets and the difference that one's mindset has on their ability to improve as an athlete. Lastly, Brian and Josh discuss the significant impact that the word "can't" has on the self-belief of an athlete.  

Eric Butorac's TED Talk - https://youtu.be/B3OoH_O9Y-U  

“It is our duty as men and women to proceed as though the limits of our abilities do not exist” - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

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.

This episode is a discussion on mental contrasting, a self-regulation strategy related to goal-achievement based on the work of Gabriele Oettingen. Mental contrasting and WOOP (wish, outcome, obstacle, plan) help individuals establish plans for the obstacles that they expect to encounter. In this conversation, Brian and Josh discuss how this concept can be applied to tennis matches and review some of the common obstacles that tennis players will inevitably encounter.

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!

In this episode, Josh interviews Brian about his start in tennis, how he transitioned careers to sport psychology, and how he approaches working with clients.

For more on Brian, visit https://performancextra.com/brian-lomax/

In this episode, Brian interviews Josh about his background and philosophy as a sport psychology professional. Josh is the founder and sport psychology coach of Tiebreaker Psych, which provides sport psychology coaching to athletes of all sports, ages, and levels. For more information on Tiebreaker Psych visit TiebreakerPsych.com.

Dave Bailey is the world’s leading expert in tennis movement and footwork, and the creator of The Bailey Method. In his professional career, Dave has spent over 30 years studying the footwork and movement patterns of the top tennis professionals, viewing more than 18,000 video clips of professional players in action – carefully observing and documenting their precise movements. Through this process, Dave designed the Bailey Method of tennis footwork which identifies and provides solutions to more than 50 of the most common problems associated with movement, footwork and balance while playing tennis. Last but not least, Dave has been the footwork and movement trainer to over 21 professional Grand Slam level players. In this conversation, we discuss Dave's background in tennis, and we get into some specific details on The Bailey Method. We also chat about a new venture that Dave is involved with called CoachLife. CoachLife is the premier online resource for tennis coaching knowledge. Their extensive library covers tennis-specific nutrition, footwork, sport psychology, coaching, parenting advice, and detailed shot progressions.

You can sign up for a free 7 day trial at CoachLife.com, and listeners of the Tennis IQ Podcast get a special discount on their first year subscription by clicking on the referral link below. Affiliate link: https://coachlife.com/?ref=DBTI Discount code: DBTI

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.

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!

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!  

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the topic of full focus. The ability to fully focus during tennis matches is often cited as a critical factor to success, however many tennis players struggle to maintain their focus in high-pressure moments and throughout the duration of a tennis match. The co-hosts described the importance of focusing on what can be controlled, and focusing on the present moment rather than on the past or future. Furthermore, they discussed how athletes ought to focus on their long-term development process rather than getting too caught up in individual results.

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!

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how tennis players can learn to enjoy the stress of competition. The co-hosts talk about the need to embrace the “battle” in competition, and ultimately enjoy it. Additionally, they consider how winning and playing in close matches can make an athlete a better competitor over time. Lastly, the topic of viewing your tennis game as a life project and focusing on the improvement process instead of on results can lead to more enjoyment over time is reviewed.

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!

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss tennis performance in various team settings such as adult teams, college teams, and high school teams. Within these teams, it is important to develop a team identity so that motivation and resiliency can be improved. Captains and team leaders play a pivotal role in the development of a cycle of leadership that can create a positive and autonomous culture. Lastly, Brian and Josh review how team goals can be constructed and how they can be linked with the team’s identity and vision.

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!

David Sammel is a world prominent tennis coach based in the UK who has coached dozens of professional players and international junior players. He’s also the author of the book Locker Room Power and the founder of Mindset College.  

Through this conversation, you will learn what Locker Room Power is, how to develop it, and how to apply it in competition. This includes the concept of mentally unsettling the opponent and using courage as a virtue. 

Locker Room Power: Building an Athlete's Mind https://www.amazon.com/dp/1080758585  

US listeners - Audio version of Locker Room Power: https://www.audible.com/pd/B092L4K5V4 

UK listeners - Audio version of Locker Room Power: https://adbl.co/3nCJZAD 

Mindset College: https://www.mindsetcollege.co.uk

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!

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!

In this episode, Brian and Josh review how to deal with losing. Losing is a necessary and inevitable part of competition and the development process. Discussion points are how to respond to lost points during a match, how to handle and frame difficult losses, and the feeling of loss that athletes can undertake during an injury or retirement. Lastly, Brian and Josh consider the mindset that athletes want to have - 'playing to win' rather than trying to avoid losing.  

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!

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how tennis players can establish and utilize post-practice and post-match routines to enhance future performance. The co-hosts review recovery routine elements such as nutrition, hydration, stretching, and more. Additionally, they examine how players can utilize journals to reflect on their practices and matches to learn and improve going forward.

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!

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
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.

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!

During a tennis match, there can be several key moments that could determine the outcome. Do you perform well in these moments? Are you good at recognizing them?  

In this episode, Brian and Josh review how to create clutch performances. Highlights of the conversation include understanding what a clutch performance is, the concept of "make it happen," and some practical steps you can take to become more clutch. This is a valuable topic for both players and coaches.

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