Advertise on podcast: Serve and Return Podcast: Tennis, Racquet Sports & More

Super discussion with Carlos Silva, the dynamic CEO of World Team Tennis. Included in our talk: - Carlos Silva's background and his path to his current position. - All about World Team Tennis - innovation; high-energy, competitive tennis; fun, shorter format; men and women singles, doubles and mixed. - The exciting and highly successful 2020 WTT season held in a one-location bubble at The Greenbrier, W. Va. - The flexibility, COVID precautions, and decision-making process necessary to make the 2020 season a reality and a success. - An epic WTT finals where the NY Empire defeated the Chicago Smash 21-20 on simultaneous championship point for both teams. -  Coco Vandeweghe winning the championship clinching point - The positive WTT experience of many current top players: Venus Williams, Taylor Fritz, Sloane Stephens, Genie Bouchard, Jack Sock, the Bryans brothers, Taylor Townsend and so many more. - The current WTT business model: franchises, player selection, etc. - A look at the contributions of the original World Team Tennis from '74-'78 - Thoughts on 2021. World Team Tennis: https://wtt.com Carlos Silva: @carlossilva Serve and Return Podcast Twitter: @serve_returnpod Have a suggestion for a Serve and Return Podcast guest? email Chris at cmtrieste@gmail.com Chris' book - 14 Great Coaches: Learn Their Lessons, Improve Your Coaching, Have A Lasting Impact https://www.amazon.com/14-Great-Coaches-Lessons-Coaching/dp/1546856625/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1593552912&sr=8-1 Serve and Return Website: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/serve-and-return-podcast-tennis-racquet-sports-more/id1508242968

Randy Walker and I have a great discussion about tennis topics including: -Tennis growth during the pandemic. -Book publishing as managing partner of New Chapter Media and working with Bud Collins, Roger Federer, Rod Laver, Steve Flink, etc. -Serving as press officer for the USTA for Davis Cup teams from the mid-90s into the 2000s and for the US Olympic teams in '96, '00, '04 where he interacted with legends such as Billie Jean King, Lindsay Davenport, Monica Seles, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Pete Sampras, the McEnroe brothers, the Williams sisters and so many more. -Experience and thoughts on Davis Cup rookie Rafael Nadal as he debuted against the US and on John McEnroe's dramatic year as DC Captain. -Changes in the Davis Cup format. -Randy's role with the Mardy Fish Children's Foundation. New Chapter Media: https://newchaptermedia.com Randy Walker Twitter: @TennisPublisher Serve and Return Podcast Twitter: @serve_returnpod Have a suggestion for a Serve and Return Podcast guest? email Chris at cmtrieste@gmail.com Chris' book - 14 Great Coaches: Learn Their Lessons, Improve Your Coaching, Have A Lasting Impact https://www.amazon.com/14-Great-Coaches-Lessons-Coaching/dp/1546856625/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1593552912&sr=8-1 Serve and Return Website: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/serve-and-return-podcast-tennis-racquet-sports-more/id1508242968

Episode 16 - Dan Santorum is the CEO of the PTR and PPR as well as the newly formed Professional Platform Tennis Registry (PPTR). Dan has been inducted into serveral tennis industry halls of fame and has conducted coaching clinics in all 50 states in the USA as well as on 6 continents around the world. Our discussion is wide ranging and includes the following topics & more: - Tennis is primed for a mini-boom and is an ideal sport during the coronavirus crisis. - The newly formed Professional Platform Tennis Registry. - Pickleball is a great lead-up sport to tennis and also a great sport on its own as it is an easy sport to transition into. - The club and racquet sports industry as it moves forward. - Dan's start in the tennis industry and amazingly fast rise to PTR executive director. - How both the PTR and coaching has evolved through the years. - PTR's positive relationship with the USTA. - World Team Tennis, the upcoming US Open, and an optimistic look toward next year. Professional Tennis Registry: https://www.ptrtennis.org Professional Pickleball Registry: https://www.pprpickleball.org Serve and Return Podcast Twitter: @serve_returnpod Have a suggestion for a Serve and Return Podcast guest? email Chris at cmtrieste@gmail.com Chris' book - 14 Great Coaches: Learn Their Lessons, Improve Your Coaching, Have A Lasting Impact https://www.amazon.com/14-Great-Coaches-Lessons-Coaching/dp/1546856625/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1593552912&sr=8-1 Serve and Return Website: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/serve-and-return-podcast-tennis-racquet-sports-more/id1508242968

Episode 15 - Robert Weintraub and I talk about his new book - The Divine Miss Marble: A Life of Tennis, Fame, and Mystery. Alice Marble was a championship tennis player, winner of 18 Grand Slam titles including 5 singles titles. Marble got her tennis start on the public courts of San Francisco at Golden Gate Park while also excelling in other sports such as baseball where she was a "mascot" for the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League and then a standout on the boys high school baseball team. Marble's intriguing life goes far beyond the tennis courts as Weintraub and I discuss and as Weintraub details in his book: - Marble becoming friends with many of Hollywood's biggest stars and other famed personalities of the era as they were fans of tennis & of Alice Marble specifically. - Alice rebounding from a year-long battle with tuberculous in the early 1930s to later become a 4-time US Nationals and Wimbledon singles champ. - The life & role of Eleanor Tennant, domineering coach of Alice Marble, as well as other prominent Californian tennis players who reached the top of the tennis world. - Alice's patriotic role in World War II...Was she a spy of some sort? Did she embark on secret missions on behalf of the U.S? - Which stories and accounts in Alice's life and own autobiographies are true, false or embellished? In some cases it is hard to determine making Weintraub an amateur detective as he research this book. Robert Weintraub's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Weintraub/e/B004F3OSMY%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share Robert Weintraub on Twitter: @robwein Serve and Return Podcast Twitter: @serve_returnpod Have a suggestion for a Serve and Return Podcast guest? email Chris at cmtrieste@gmail.com Chris' book - 14 Great Coaches: Learn Their Lessons, Improve Your Coaching, Have A Lasting Impact https://www.amazon.com/14-Great-Coaches-Lessons-Coaching/dp/1546856625/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1593552912&sr=8-1 Serve and Return Website: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/serve-and-return-podcast-tennis-racquet-sports-more/id1508242968

Episode 14 - Luke is not only the coach of World Team Tennis' NY Empire but he also holds the title of Vice President of Awesome! for the WTT...and Luke Jensen was awesome as the guest of episode #14! Luke Jensen is always entertaining and full of energy and on this podcast Luke tells a number of great stories as we talk about topics that include the following: - Luke's transition from Director of Tennis with the West Side Tennis Club to his roles with World Team Tennis as coach of the NY Empire and as VP of Awesome with the WTT. - World Team Tennis and the one-site season at The Greenbrier in West Virginia...we talk safety protocols, energy and enthusiasm of WTT, and the importance of top players getting match play and sharpening their skills in preparation for the US Open. - Luke's background as a multi-sport athlete followed by his focus on tennis while growing up in a small Michigan town. - Embracing "beast mode" and "mauler" mentality as he imposed the "big game" on his opponents while advancing to Junior Davis Cup, becoming #1 junior player and then playing at USC. - Teaming with Patrick McEnroe to win the '84 French Open junior doubles title while at the same time John McEnroe blew a 2-set and 1-break lead against Ivan Lendl in the '84 men's singles championship - How Jimmy Arias fixed Luke's forehand after it was "lost" for 5 years. - Winning the '93 French Open doubles title with brother, Murphy Jensen. - A look at Luke's favorite players. World Team Tennis: https://wtt.com Luke Jenson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-b-jensen-4b9729177 Serve and Return Podcast Twitter: @serve_returnpod Have a suggestion for a Serve and Return Podcast guest? email Chris at cmtrieste@gmail.com Chris' book - 14 Great Coaches: Learn Their Lessons, Improve Your Coaching, Have A Lasting Impact https://www.amazon.com/14-Great-Coaches-Lessons-Coaching/dp/1546856625/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1593552912&sr=8-1 Serve and Return Website: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/serve-and-return-podcast-tennis-racquet-sports-more/id1508242968

Episode 13 - Super episode with Nicole Hobson - Member Services Director for the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR). The PPR is the official coaching certification partner of the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA). Nicole is one of the industry leaders spearheading the growth of Pickleball and the certification of the sport's coaches. Nicole and I cover a lot of territory in this episode including: - The development and growth of the PPR and its relationship with the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR). - The growth of Pickleball and how people new to sports as well as experienced athletes from other sports successfully transition into Pickleball. - The PPR's official partnership with the USAPA. - Why Pickleball is great as both a competitive sport and social sport. - How and where to learn more about Pickleball. - Different styles of play, the future of Pickleball and much more! The Professional Pickleball Registry website is here: https://www.pprpickleball.org Serve and Return Podcast Twitter: @serve_returnpod Have a suggestion for a Serve and Return Podcast guest? email Chris at cmtrieste@gmail.com Chris' book - 14 Great Coaches: Learn Their Lessons, Improve Your Coaching, Have A Lasting Impact https://www.amazon.com/14-Great-Coaches-Lessons-Coaching/dp/1546856625/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1593552912&sr=8-1 Serve and Return Website: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/serve-and-return-podcast-tennis-racquet-sports-more/id1508242968

Episode 12 - Loved talking to Bill Patton - Head Tennis Professional, High School Coach and Author of numerous books including: Visual Training for Tennis, The Athlete-Centered Coach, and The Art of Coaching High School Tennis Bill and I talk about many great topics involving not only tennis but also coaching all sports with an "athlete-centered approach." Discussion includes: - Visual training for tennis by: reducing anxiety for new students, putting students at ease; finding success early; teaching with logical progressions - Advanced player coaching: creating space on the court, adding variety to player's game, "bounce / hit" - Athlete-Centered coaching: coaching - right time and space, athlete-centered NOT coach-centered, noticing & caring for the person NOT solely the athlete - High School coaching - the challenges and rewards Bill Patton on Twitter: @Coach_Author Bill Patton on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bill-Patton/e/B00JSCZNGM?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1593613469&sr=8-1 Have a suggestion for a Serve and Return Podcast guest? email Chris at cmtrieste@gmail.com Chris' book - 14 Great Coaches: Learn Their Lessons, Improve Your Coaching, Have A Lasting Impact https://www.amazon.com/14-Great-Coaches-Lessons-Coaching/dp/1546856625/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1593552912&sr=8-1 Serve and Return Website: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/serve-and-return-podcast-tennis-racquet-sports-more/id1508242968 Twitter: @serve_returnpod

Episode 11 - Great discussion with Craig Shapiro - Host of the Craig Shapiro Tennis Podcast. Craig is a tennis influencer and insider who earlier in his career travelled the pro tour with Andre Agassi and Brad Gilbert while serving as a racquet stringer and technician. Following his time on the tour, Craig transitioned into TV production working on the Inside the NFL, Wimbledon and championship boxing for HBO Sports as well as working on the documentaries for the Tennis Channel. Now, Craig hosts the Craig Shapiro Tennis Podcast where he has interviewed top figures in tennis past and present including most recently Brad Gilbert, Gil Reyes, Bruno Soares, Fabrice Santoro, and Andres Gomez. On this episode we talk about topics including: - Tennis in today's world. - Craig's early memories in tennis from traveling to the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the US Open - working as a ball boy and watching the pros practice & compete. - Working as a racquet tech and traveling the circuit with Andre Agassi and Brad Gilbert. - Craig's time with HBO Sports - Wimbledon, Inside the NFL and Boxing where he met the greatest boxers and worked the biggest fights of the time. - Craig's tennis favorites including Lendl, Sabatini and the absolute greatness of Pete Sampras. Craig Shapiro on Twitter: @Shaptennispod The Craig Shapiro Tennis Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-craig-shapiro-tennis-podcast/id1513576523 Have a suggestion for a Serve and Return Podcast guest? email Chris at cmtrieste@gmail.com Chris' book - 14 Great Coaches: Learn Their Lessons, Improve Your Coaching, Have A Lasting Impact https://www.amazon.com/14-Great-Coaches-Lessons-Coaching/dp/1546856625/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1593552912&sr=8-1 Serve and Return Website: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/serve-and-return-podcast-tennis-racquet-sports-more/id1508242968 Twitter: @serve_returnpod

Episode 10 - Not just anybody can create a new sport...my guest on this episode, Nate Gross, did just that. Nate is a former college tennis player from Idaho St. and a California tennis teaching professional who created the sport of Spec Tennis. Spec Tennis is a racquet sport played on a pickleball court that blends aspects of traditional tennis with POP Tennis. Spec tennis can be a "gateway" to tennis or can be played competitively as a recreational or tournament level sport in its own right. Additionally, Spec Tennis can develop into an emerging revenue source for tennis clubs and parks. You will pick a lot great information about Spec Tennis, about Nate Gross, and about what it is like to create and grow a new sport. More information about Spec Tennis can be found here: https://spectennis.com Here is Nate Gross' Linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-gross-02475884 Have a suggestion for a Serve and Return Podcast guest?  email Chris at cmtrieste@gmail.com Chris' book - 14 Great Coaches: Learn Their Lessons, Improve Your Coaching, Have A Lasting Impact  https://www.amazon.com/14-Great-Coaches-Lessons-Coaching/dp/1546856625/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Serve and Return Website: http://serveandreturnpodcast.buzzsprout.com Twitter: @serve_returnpod

Episode 9 - Steve Flink and I chat about tennis from getting his start in tennis with Bud Collins to his upcoming book, Pete Sampras: Greatness Revisited as well as a whole lot of tennis in between. - The greats of the pre-Open era and the champs of the Open era from Ashe to Smith to King and then Connors and Evert. - Billie Jean King, Margaret Court, Bobby Riggs and the two Battle of the Sexes matches. - Steve Flink's previous book - The Greatest Matches of All Time and historic Lenglen-Wills and Budge-Von Cramm matches. - Steve Flink's newest book - Pete Sampras: Greatness Revisited - discussing Sampras' achievements, his rivalries with Agassi and Courier. - All-time great Sampras-Agassi 2001 US Open Quarterfinal match. Steve Flink's Pete Sampras book: https://www.amazon.com/Pete-Sampras-Greatness-Steve-Flink/dp/1937559947/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=steve+flink&qid=1591713822&sr=8-1 Twitter: @sflinko Have a suggestion for a Serve and Return Podcast guest?  email Chris at cmtrieste@gmail.com Chris' book - 14 Great Coaches: Learn Their Lessons, Improve Your Coaching, Have A Lasting Impact  https://www.amazon.com/14-Great-Coaches-Lessons-Coaching/dp/1546856625/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Serve and Return Website: http://serveandreturnpodcast.buzzsprout.com Twitter: @serve_returnpod