Host Lisa Stone discusses the various aspects of developing a tennis player from beginner through the juniors to college and beyond. Her weekly guests include experts in coaching, parenting, mental toughness, fitness & nutrition, technology & equipment, and college recruiting. Stone provides invaluable information for parents, players, and coaches.
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How to Raise a Better Adult Without Losing Your Mind Over Tennis ft JY Aubone
Season 15 · Episode 43
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 • Duration 41:02
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 43 of the ParentingAces Podcast. This week, Lisa Stone and JY Aubone discuss JY’s book, The Empowered Tennis Parent, and why junior tennis parents need practical guidance for navigating the emotional, financial, and developmental realities of the sport. Their conversation focuses on helping parents make thoughtful decisions, reduce pressure, and keep the bigger goal in view: supporting their children as they grow into healthy, resilient adults.
JY explains why tennis development is rarely linear and why working harder is not always the answer. They discuss tournament schedules, rankings, UTR pressure, equipment choices, parental expectations, and ways to support a child through difficult moments on and off the court.
Tennis Parent Takeaways
Junior tennis progress is not always linear. School demands, injuries, growth, and emotional stress can all affect a player’s development.
A loss or dip in performance doesn’t automatically mean a child isn’t trying. Pressure, burnout, or trying too hard may be part of the picture.
More practice and more tournaments aren’t always better. Consider your child’s needs and readiness rather than following a one-size-fits-all formula.
Keep rankings and results in perspective. They are only part of a player’s story.
Set realistic family limits around time, travel, and tournament costs. It’s okay to say no when an event isn’t right for your child or your family.
Treat tennis as a privilege and a tool for growth—not as a measure of your child’s worth.
Work on your own reactions, too. Parental anxiety can affect a child’s experience of the sport.
Keep the long-term goal in mind: supporting your child’s development and preserving a strong parent-child relationship.
As always, Lisa is available for one-to-one consultations to work with you as you find your way through junior tennis and the college recruiting process. You can purchase and book online through the https://parentingaces.com/shop/category/consult-with-lisa-stone/.
If you’re so inclined, please share this—and all our episodes—with your fellow tennis players, parents, and coaches. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app.Be sure to check out our logoed merchandise, as well as our à la carte personal consultations, in our https://parentingaces.com/shop/.
Credits
Intro & Outro Music: Morgan Stone aka STØNE
Audio & Video Editing: Lisa Stone
Why Junior Tennis Needs a Data Backbone ft Dave Mowrey & George Opelka
Season 15 · Episode 42
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 • Duration 46:27
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 42 of the ParentingAces Podcast! This week, Lisa Stone talks with Dave Mowrey and George Opelka about how Ion Sport evolved from Ion Court, why the platform is about more than scorekeeping, and how it is helping tennis become a more connected experience from juniors to college and beyond.
Dave Mowrey is Founder and CEO of IONSport and alongtime technology executive and entrepreneur with deep experience in streaming video, sports technology, SaaS and data-driven media.
Today, Dave is bringing that experience in video, data and connected technology to racquet sports through IONSport, the destination for college tennis, while also experiencing the junior tennis journey firsthand as the parent of a competitive junior player.
George Opelka has experienced the tennis-parent journey from a child's first racquet all the way to the ATP Tour. His son, Reilly Opelka, began playing at age four, and George has remained closely involved as his parent and longtime advisor through junior development and professional competition.
George also brings more than 30 years of technology and business leadership, including senior positions with tennis-technology companies SwingVision and IONSport. He brings a candid perspective on supporting a young player's dreams, navigating the pressures and sacrifices of competitive tennis, and keeping both the child and family grounded throughout the journey.
Key Takeaways for Tennis Parents
1. Look beyond the final score. A win or loss tells only part of the story. Match data—such as serve percentage, break points, momentum shifts, and match patterns—can help you understand what your child is actually developing.
2. Help your child interpret matches. Encourage your player to explain what happened in the match, what improved, and what they want to work on next. Learning to reflect is more valuable than simply focusing on whether they won or lost.
3. Treat losses as learning opportunities. A loss can still show progress. Help your child identify specific improvements and communicate them clearly rather than treating the result as the only measure of success.
How to Build Competitive Kids Without Breaking Them ft Barry Buss & David Fish
Season 15 · Episode 41
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 • Duration 57:09
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 41 of the ParentingAces Podcast! In this episode, Lisa Stone welcomes longtime tennis leaders Barry Buss and David Fish for a conversation about reimagining junior tennis competition in the United States.
Barry and David unpack the pressures families face on the junior tennis pathway—from constant travel, rankings, and point-chasing to the emotional strain placed on players, parents, and coaches. They make the case for a more sustainable model: one that develops confident, resilient young people alongside stronger competitors.
They introduce Match Zone, an approach to local, affordable competition that combines meaningful match play with education around self-awareness, emotional regulation, parent support, and community. Rather than sending families home with another ranking update, the goal is to give players practical skills they can carry into their next match—and beyond tennis.
Tennis Parent Takeaways
Focus on development, not just results. A ranking or rating can be useful information, but it should not become the measure of your child’s worth, progress, or future in the sport.
Help your child build a healthy relationship with competition. Winning and losing are part of tennis. The lasting skill is learning how to respond to nerves, mistakes, tough calls, and disappointment.
Be intentional about your role. Your body language, words, and energy matter. Support your player without trying to coach every point, solve every problem, or argue every call.
Protect room for a full life. Travel, school, friendships, rest, and family time all matter. A sustainable tennis journey should leave space for your child to grow as a person, not just as an athlete.
Look for meaningful match opportunities. Variety in opponents, ages, styles, and levels can help players develop confidence and tennis IQ more effectively than repeatedly facing the same small group.
Make the ride home a safe place. Ask your child what they learned, what felt good, or whether they want feedback—rather than leading with the score or a technical critique.
It’s a thoughtful, big-picture conversation about making competitive tennis healthier, more accessible, and more developmentally meaningful for families.
The Truth About International Players in College Tennis ft. Eric Dobsha
Season 15 · Episode 40
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 • Duration 55:19
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 40 of the ParentingAces Podcast!Most families misunderstand what college tennis actually demands, and that misunderstanding can cost a player the right opportunity.
Eric Dobsha pulls back the curtain on the reality of high-level Division I tennis, why international recruiting is not a new problem, and how parents can make smarter college choices for their children.
Eric is the owner of Dobsha Tennis, a private academy in Tampa, Florida, known for developing junior players into college-ready competitors. His background as a player, coach, and academy owner gives him a rare, no-nonsense perspective on what junior tennis families need to know before they chase the dream.
From growing up in Titusville, Florida, and hitting against a fence to playing for the Florida Gators, Eric shares the path that shaped his coaching philosophy and the mindset that defines true high performance. He explains why intent matters as much as UTR, why some players thrive in elite environments while others need a different fit, and how the best junior players are often the ones willing to do the work no one else wants to do.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
Why college tennis has always been global
What it really takes to compete at a powerhouse program
How training, conditioning, travel, and missed classes affect the college experience
Why the “best” school is not always the best fit
How smaller programs can offer bigger roles, better development, and a stronger college experience
Tennis Parent Takeaways
Look beyond rankings and UTR when evaluating a college opportunity.
Assess whether your child is prepared for the physical and mental demands of college tennis.
Focus on fit, playing opportunities, coaching, academics, and overall quality of life—not just the school’s reputation.
How Great Tennis Coaches Build Leaders, Not Robots ft Adriana Dinu
Season 15 · Episode 39
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 • Duration 50:53
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 39 of the ParentingAces Podcast! Tennis should build confident kids, not exhausted robots. Adriana Dino shares the coaching philosophy that helps young players grow into thinkers, leaders, and lifelong fans of the game—while showing parents exactly when to step back and when to lean in.
Born and raised in Romania, Adriana started with a wooden racket, a straight-talking father, and a coach who changed her life. After playing, studying physical education, and coaching for nearly 20 years in the United States, she brings a rare perspective to the parent-coach-player triangle that drives junior tennis.
Tennis Parent Takeaways
Support your child with unconditional love rather than constant technical instruction.
Learn to recognize when encouragement has become pressure.
Gradually transfer responsibility for preparation, performance, and problem-solving to your child.
Help your player develop routines for resetting after mistakes and bad line calls.
Focus on resilience, confidence, and personal growth—not only wins and rankings.
Accept that high-performance tennis may not be the right path for every talented player.
Keep your child’s love of tennis at the center of the experience.
Lisa and Adriana also break down the mental side of junior competition, including what to do after a bad call, how to reset between points, and why tournaments are one of the best classrooms for resilience. Adriana’s approach is simple but powerful: coach the person first, develop the player second, and keep the love for tennis intact for life.
She also shares the unforgettable influence of playing Monica Niculescu as a 14-year-old in Bucharest, and why exposure to higher-level tennis can shape a junior’s mindset long before they’re ready for the professional circuit.
This episode is essential listening for tennis parents, junior players, and coaches who want more than wins—they want growth, confidence, and a healthier relationship with the sport.
Adriana is based in the DC area and coaches players from beginner to advanced, with a focus on bringing out the best in each athlete as a human being first.
The Hidden Difference Between Tournament Points and Real Development ft Jennifer Faulkner
Season 15 · Episode 38
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 • Duration 56:40
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 38 of the ParentingAces Podcast!
What if the biggest mistake in college tennis recruiting is treating tournament results like player development? Lisa Stone and tennis parent Jennifer Faulkner unpack the hard lesson every tennis family needs to hear: UTR, rankings, and constant travel are not the same thing as real growth. Jennifer shares the full arc of her family’s tennis journey, from her daughter Melanie’s gymnastics recruiting experience to her son TJ’s path from a late-start tennis player to freshman engineering major and team member at Rose-Hulman. Along the way, she reveals what happened when they lived far from strong tennis training in Austin, Texas, why they were on the road three to four weekends a month, and how they learned the difference between staying busy and actually getting better.
You’ll discover:
Why a higher tournament load did not always move TJ’s UTR the way they expected
How video, match play days, and academy changes helped them see development more clearly
Why engineering schools changed the entire recruiting search
What Jennifer wishes she had asked coaches before committing
How the “student-athlete” reality can look very different from the recruiting pitch
Jennifer also explains the thinking behind TennisCourtGuide, the app she built to help families find college tennis programs that fit both academic priorities and athletic goals. Instead of forcing families to start with brand-name schools, TennisCourtGuide uses a smarter, wider funnel approach so parents and athletes can compare options based on the balance that matters most to them.
This conversation is especially valuable if your player is entering high school, you’re trying to make sense of UTR and recruiting timelines, or you’re wondering whether your child’s development plan is actually moving the needle. If you want a clearer, calmer way to approach college tennis, this episode delivers practical guidance, hard-earned perspective, and a powerful reminder that the right fit is about far more than tennis alone.
If you'd like more information on TennisCourtGuide, you can email them at courtguide.app@gmail.com or:
The Power of Doing Difficult Things ft Levi Hecht
Season 15 · Episode 37
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 • Duration 32:23
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 37 of the ParentingAces Podcast!
What can stepping into the unknown teach you about life beyond tennis? Lisa Stone and Levi Hecht talk about the courage to do difficult, scary things when you cannot predict the outcome - because the biggest opportunities often begin outside your comfort zone.
Drawing on Levi’s experiences in Brazil and Argentina, the conversation looks beyond competition and technique to a mindset that applies everywhere: taking a chance, embracing uncertainty, and trusting that an unfamiliar path can lead somewhere meaningful. Whether the result is a breakthrough in tennis or a completely different kind of growth, the willingness to begin matters.
Levi shares the lesson he wants to carry into the rest of his life, while Lisa helps connect that insight to the choices athletes and anyone facing a new challenge must make. It is a candid glimpse at how travel, uncertainty, and difficult decisions can shape more than performance.
Key Takeaways for Parents:
Waiting for certainty protects you from immediate discomfort but also removes many paths to unexpected upside.
The lasting lesson from an experience is often not the specific outcome, but the behavior that made the outcome possible.
If you would like to get more information on Levi's South American training, you can contact his coach, Todd Widom, at todd@twtennis.com.
Why Tennis Parents Should Stop Rescuing Kids From Losing ft Cassandra Toroian
Season 15 · Episode 36
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 • Duration 34:16
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 36 of the ParentingAces Podcast! Former top junior and Division I tennis player Cassandra Torian joins Lisa Stone to discuss how tennis shaped her resilience, independence, and entrepreneurial mindset.
Cassandra also shares the stories behind Ruley AI, a rules-reference tool for racket sports and youth sports, and Volleybird, a subscription box featuring gear and products for tennis, pickleball, paddle, and other sports.
Key Takeaways for Parents
Let your child’s motivation come from within rather than from outside pressure.
Teach the rules before conflicts happen, especially when parents may be unfamiliar with the sport.
Encourage respectful, evidence-based conversations instead of loud or confrontational arguments.
Give young athletes room to experience disappointment and develop their own coping skills.
Remember that the lasting value of tennis includes resilience, independence, emotional control, and problem-solving.
If you’re so inclined, please share this – and all our episodes! – with your fellow tennis players, parents, and coaches. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app. Please be sure to check out our logo’d merch as well as our a la carte personal consultations in our .
The Free Tennis Tool That Solves Junior Tennis Chaos ft Amaury Blondet
Season 15 · Episode 35
Wednesday, September 2, 2026 • Duration 44:16
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 35 of the ParentingAces Podcast! This week, Lisa talks with Amaury Blondet, a tennis parent, entrepreneur, and creator of PathTennis, about the real-world problems that led him to build a platform for competitive tennis families, coaches, academies, and college teams. They dig into the communication gaps, tournament-planning chaos, and lack of alignment that so many junior tennis families face, and how one tool is trying to bring all of it into one place.
In this episode, Lisa and Amaury discuss how PathTennis helps parents, players, and coaches stay aligned on tournament selection, training blocks, rest, injuries, and progress tracking. They also cover why the core search and tracker tools are free, what’s already available for academies and colleges, and how the platform is built to support long-term development, not just rankings.
As a tennis parent himself, Amaury knows firsthand the pain points that junior tennis can inflict on the entire family. "Tennis is very costly. So first, to sign up is free," he shares. There are certain features of the platform that will remain free for life even when premium features are added down the road.
And for the coaches who are concerned about technology trying to take the place of human interaction, Amaury says, "This is not going to replace you as a coach. This is just a tool to help you get organized."
If you are interested in learning more about PathTennis, visit the website at https://pathtennis.com/ or email Amaury directly at amaury@pathtennis.com. Be sure to follow them on social media:
Welcome to Season 15 Episode 34 of the ParentingAces Podcast! Coach Todd Widom is back to talk about what's happening in junior tennis development now and comparing it to how he was developed as a young player.
Those of you who have been part of our ParentingAces Community for a while should be very familiar with Todd and his no-holds-barred approach to working with junior players and their families. This week, he and I talk about the latest rash of backdraw withdrawals at the National Hardcourts, how technology is impacting junior tennis development for both players and coaches, and what it takes to build trust in the player-parent-coach triangle.
If you’re so inclined, please share this – and all our episodes! – with your fellow tennis players, parents, and coaches. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app. Please be sure to check out our logo’d merch as well as our a la carte personal consultations in our online shop.
CREDITS
Intro & Outro Music: Morgan Stone aka STØNE
Audio & Video Editing: Lisa Stone
4. Build better recruiting conversations. College coaches want to see coachability, self-awareness, and growth. A player who can share match data and explain their takeaways demonstrates maturity beyond a win-loss record.
5. Use technology to stay informed—not to add pressure. Live scoring, video, and statistics can help parents follow matches remotely and support development. The goal is to create useful conversations, not to overwhelm your child with constant analysis.
6. Choose tournament experiences that keep kids engaged. Clear schedules, live updates, streaming, and accessible match information can make tournaments less stressful and more enjoyable. A positive event experience can help young players stay motivated in the sport.
For more information on IONSport, contact them at support@ionsport.com. The IONSport App is available for players, parents, coaches and fans on iOS and Google Play.
If you’re so inclined, please share this – and all our episodes! – with your fellow tennis players, parents, and coaches. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app. Please be sure to check out our logo’d merch as well as our a la carte personal consultations in our online shop.
CREDITS
Intro & Outro Music: Morgan Stone aka STØNE
Audio & Video Editing: Lisa Stone
Connect with Barry and Dave
To learn more about Barry Buss, Match Zone, and upcoming events designed to create healthier, more developmental competition for junior players, visit https://barrybuss.substack.com/ and follow Match Zone on social media.
David Fish welcomes questions from parents, coaches, and community organizers interested in building more accessible, community-based tennis opportunities. Reach David at dave@nxtathletics.org.
Be sure to check out Barry and David’s articles for a deeper look at the ideas behind Match Zone and their vision for the future of American player development.Connect with Lisa
As always, Lisa is available for one-to-one consultations to work with you as you find your way through junior tennis and the college recruiting process. You can purchase and book online through the ParentingAces shop.
If you’re so inclined, please share this—and all our episodes—with your fellow tennis players, parents, and coaches. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app.
Be sure to check out our logoed merchandise, as well as our à la carte personal consultations, in our online shop.
Credits
Intro & Outro Music: Morgan Stone aka STØNEAudio & Video Editing: Lisa Stone
Understand that development can happen at smaller programs, not only at nationally recognized powerhouses.
Help your player build the work ethic and consistency required to succeed beyond junior tennis.
Prepare for the culture shock that can come with transitioning from junior competition to a college team environment.
Eric also breaks down the culture shock many juniors face when they arrive on campus, including the physical grind, mental pressure, and gap between junior tennis effort and college tennis expectations. If your family is weighing college recruiting, wondering about Division I tennis, or trying to understand what high performance really means, this conversation is essential listening.
If you’re so inclined, please share this – and all our episodes! – with your fellow tennis players, parents, and coaches. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app. Please be sure to check out our logo’d merch as well as our a la carte personal consultations in our online shop.
As always, Lisa is available for one-to-one consultations to work with you as you find your way through junior tennis and the college recruiting process. You can purchase and book online through the ParentingAces shop.
If you’re so inclined, please share this—and all our episodes—with your fellow tennis players, parents, and coaches. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app.
Be sure to check out our logoed merchandise, as well as our à la carte personal consultations, in our online shop.
Credits
Intro & Outro Music: Morgan Stone aka STØNE Audio & Video Editing: Lisa Stone
If you’re so inclined, please share this – and all our episodes! – with your fellow tennis players, parents, and coaches. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app. Please be sure to check out our logo’d merch as well as our a la carte personal consultations in our online shop.
CREDITS
Intro & Outro Music: Morgan Stone aka STØNE
Audio & Video Editing: Lisa Stone
If you’re so inclined, please share this – and all our episodes! – with your fellow tennis players, parents, and coaches. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app. Please be sure to check out our logo’d merch as well as our a la carte personal consultations in our online shop.
If you’re so inclined, please share this – and all our episodes! – with your fellow tennis players, parents, and coaches. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app. Please be sure to check out our logo’d merch as well as our a la carte personal consultations in our online shop.
CREDITS
Intro & Outro Music: Morgan Stone aka STØNE
Audio & Video Editing: Lisa Stone
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