Open Stance Audio: Recent Episodes
Cliff Drysdale Tennis
Open Stance Audio, presented by Cliff Drysdale Tennis, is a new Monday-Friday podcast focusing on the tennis industry. From pro tennis commentary, instruction, technique, technology and guest interviews, tennis lovers of all kinds are encouraged to listen in. Featuring a short and sweet 10 minute format, get your tennis fix each day with Open Stance Audio!
Have you heard about what happened in the US Open women's final? Well, if you answered no, you've probably been living under a rock! We let the issue breath for a few days before delving into the topic and discussing how the story has affected all parties.
Let us know your thoughts!
Day 9 saw the match of the tournament; a 5 set epic battle between Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem. Nadal won the fifth set breaker after nearly 5 hours of play. Meanwhile Serena Williams marched on in her quest for major number 24.
All of that and more on today's episode!
Day 8 saw a shocking upset and incredible performance tied into one; John Millman took out Roger Federer in 4 sets. Extremely humid conditions made for a physical battle, and it was the Aussie who handled the brutal heat more effectively. Millman's career story is a great one, which Joey goes in-depth on here.
Sunday of Labor Day weekend was a good day for American Tennis at the U.S. Open. Serena Williams booked her spot in the quarterfinals with a three set win over Kaia Kanepi before John Isner got the crowd rocking on Armstrong in a 5 set win over Milos Raonic.
We look at all of the days major results before previewing day 8!
We recap the clash of the Williams sisters and the effect it has on TV ratings before looking at the notable stories of Day 6. Sascha Zverev's poor major performances continued with a third round loss, while Marketa Vondrousova made her impression on the women's draw.
We then preview the best Round of 16 matches on Day 7!
Day 5 saw cooler temperatures but much more hotly contested matches, as round 3 got underway. Defending champions Rafael Nadal and Sloane Stephens each faced stern tests, while young gun Denis Shapovalov nearly upset Kevin Anderson. We go over it all including some thoughts on the new shot clock before previewing day 6!
Day 4 of the US Open saw one major storyline overcrowd the rest; and unsurprisingly Nick Kyrgios was involved. Joey discusses the incident of note before moving on to other notable results and previewing day 5.
Background on the drama: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2018/08/30/did-us-open-umpire-give-nick-kyrgios-pep-talk/1150123002/
Day 3 say incredibly hot weather continue, but players perhaps becoming more acclimated with the conditions. Sloane Stephens survived a scare, while Victoria Azarenka and Stan Wawrinka appear to be rounding into form.
Stay till the end for a preview of the best day 4 matches!
Day of the US Open was marred by extreme heat. Scorching temperatures caused a handful of retirements and a larger conversation about the safety of the players in these conditions.
We then look ahead at an exciting day 3 schedule!
Day 1 of the U.S. Open saw Simona Halep become the first ever no. 1 seed to lose in the first round, while Stan Wawrinka overcame Grigor Dimitrov in a brutal first round draw for both. Jason Kubler claimed "story of the day" rights, while young Canadians Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger Aliassime faced off for the first time on a big stage. We recap it all before previewing day 2's matches to watch. Tune back in tomorrow!
Today on Open Stance Audio, we discuss some of the big picture impact that the U.S. Open has on tennis in the United States. The tournament has huge financial and marketing power and plays a crucial role in growing the sport at every level.
Check back tomorrow for the draw preview!
After a month long break, Open Stance Audio is BACK and we have a lot to catch up on!
Joey recaps some of the major storylines from the leadup to the U.S. Open including: -Serena's shaky play -Djokovic's Return to Dominance -Wawrinka and Murray's Comeback
And much more! See you again tomorrow!
After a wild and unpredictable two weeks of Wimbledon, Joey recaps this years major theme of tradition vs. innovation and how tennis will move forward after scheduling issues and marathon matches.
One of the more memorable days of the tennis year saw Roger Federer lose from match point up and Rafa Nadal come back from 2 sets to 1 down on his worst surface, all while American John Isner made his first career major seminfal.
Take a breath and catch up on the action with us.
Quick rant today on why professional doubles matches for both men and women deserve more exposure! Why does the event that recreation players enjoy the most not get more TV and tournament coverage?
Manic Monday is one of the most unique days on the tennis calendar, with all Round of 16 singles matches played on the same day in both the men's and women's draw. How did the action unfold and what do we think of the actual effectiveness of this type of scheduling? Listen to find out!
CDM acquired by Troon: https://www.troon.com/TROON-ACQUIRES-CLIFF-DRYSDALE-M.html
Mackenzie McDonald and Frances Tiafoe have taken very different paths to their tennis success, but each finds themselves deep into the Wimbledon draw. Joey discusses their stories and how the depth of U.S. tennis is setting up opportunites for numerous players to break through.
Wimbledon 2018 has been highlighted by a litany of "upsets". But how many of these lower ranked players' victories are actually upsets? Joey examines this concept and how to actually gauge the favorite in any given match on today's podcast.
Throwback pod where we discussed how to pick a match: https://soundcloud.com/openstanceaudio/how-to-predict-a-tennis-match
Slightly off the beat of normal tennis news, but Roger Federer shocked the world today when he walked onto Wimbledon's center court with a new clothing sponsor; Uniqlo. Federer has spent his entire professional career and much of his junior life wearing Nike apparel, including the famous RF logo.
Joey discuss brand value and impact in tennis, with Federer and Wimbledon as a prime example.
The draws are out for Wimbledon! The most prestigious tournament in tennis and largely the most popular tennis event in the world. How do top seeds Roger Federer and Simona Halep look heading into the third major of the year? Where did Serena Williams land?
We cover all of this and much more, including dark horses, early exits, and some things to watch with play starting on Monday.
Men's Draw: http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/draws/index.html?event=MS Women's Draw :http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/draws/index.html?event=LS
Today we discuss the least practiced shot in tennis; the return of serve. It's so important, yet we often neglect the technique and repetitions of this shot. Joey gives some tips for improvement and implementation into your training.
Today, we have a few tips for coaches and junior programs to help young players have more fun with tennis. Enjoying the sport and building relationships should be a huge focus in junior development.
Would love to hear what you think!
After the French Tennis Federation struck down copyright claims against a well known twitter figure, questions arose again about the value of public exposure in tennis vs. broadcast rights and their privacy. This complicated issue will get no easier to navigate in years to come; Joey looks at both sides and gives some thoughts.
The serve is a crucial shot on grass, and in tennis period. The only shot you have total control over. And yet so many players struggle mightily with this shot. Today Joey gives some tips for you to take into your game and hopefully start earning more free points soon.
Check out Dominate on Serve: http://www.experiencemembers.com/dominateservepreview.html
Wimbledon main draw and qualifying wild cards were announced today, and sparked debate about who deserves them and why. This has been a long topic of discussion from both inside and outside the locker room. Joey discusses his thoughts on wild card ethics and why each side has a valid argument.
2018 Wimbledon Wild Cards: http://www.wimbledon.com/pdf/Wildcard_announcements_200618.pdf
As the grass season heats up, Joey gives 3 ATP and WTA players to watch out for on the grass at Wimbledon.
Who are your picks for the grass?
Before listening to today's episode, I highly recommend you check out this short video of Andy Murray, who explains why he's missed playing tennis so much: https://www.facebook.com/cliffdrysdaletennis/posts/2403997752950130
Joey discusses how trusting the process and enjoying the journey of tennis can help you be at ease on the court and appreciate the pressure moments better.
As the tour transitions to the grass, host Joey Hanf breaks down the biggest challenges the players will face as they attempt to hone their game for the fast, slick surface. Of course the ball bounces lower and goes through the court faster; but what else should you look out for during this summer stretch leading up to Wimbledon?
After a few days on the road, we are back to wrap the 2018 French Open. Simona Halep captured her first major title while Rafael Nadal picked up his 11th Roland Garros trophy. Both will have a major impact on the sport going forward.
Ahead of the 2018 French Open Open Men's final, we give you our preview and analysis of the matchup between Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem. Nadal, who has only dropped one set in the tournament, looks to be playing some of his best tennis in search of a staggering 11th French Open title. Meanwhile, Dominic Thiem, arguable the second best clay court player on tour, looks to pull off the huge upset in Paris.
On today's episode, Joey discusses the mental evolution and improvement of Simona Halep, the world no. 1. Halep reached her fourth major final Thursday at the French Open with a win over Garbine Muguruza in the semifinals. Halep has yet to cross the finish line in majors, but continues to put herself in difficult positions, which is exactly how you improve your mental strength.
Joey is joined by freelance tennis writer Ben Rothenberg to discuss the shocking upset of Marco Cecchinato, who took out Novak Djokovic to reach the Roland Garros semifinals. The 25 year old Italian had never won a grand slam match prior to this tournament.
And his story isn't all "Cinderella"; he was convicted of match fixing just two years ago by the Italian Tennis Federation but got off on a loophole. Ben discusses these details and more.
Check out Ben's story on Cecchinato's past: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/25/sports/tennis/italy-tennis-match-fixing-suspensions.html
The one handed backhand; a beautiful stoke that almost any tennis player wishes they could produce. But has the game gets faster, will it stick around in years to come?
Our host Joey Hanf has mixed thoughts, and explains why it's so tough to develop players with a one hander in the modern game.
After watching some long, grueling battles on the clay of Roland Garros, we've seen a few players suffer through cramping on court. It's a difficult thing to watch, and if you've ever experienced it yourself, you know just how painful of an experience it can be.
So today we have a few tips to help prevent cramping, and how to best deal with the situation on court once the cramps have begun.
Jack Sock, who many thought was the biggest hope for American men's tennis going forward, has had an abysmal year in 2018. His loss Tuesday at the French Open put his singles record to 5-11, and it all seems to be going wrong for the 25 year old who stormed into the top 10 at the tail end of 2017.
What has gone wrong? A few things, as host Joey Hanf explains.
Ahead of the year's second major, we break down the best first round matches to watch in both the men's and women's draws. From former champions to entertainers and grinders, there are some fantastic first round matchups to watch.
Have a great memorial day weekend!
The Draw was released for the 2018 French Open today in Paris. Who were the winners and losers? Where did Serena land? How does Nadal's course to an 11th title look?
Host Joey Hanf discusses all of this and more.
Today I pose to you a simple question: what is the best value in professional tennis? From a fan's perspective, I personally believe that major qualifying is the best bang for your buck(because it's mostly free!).
What's the best value in your opinion?
Doubles is the most popular game in modern club tennis, and being a good partner is a huge key to success! We go over some important tips on how to be a better partner on the court; this has nothing to do with actually changing the way you play. You can become a better partner by working on your communication, preparation, energy and much more. Let us know what you like to see in a doubles partner!
So many players, both juniors and adults, take private tennis lessons. But often we are not getting the most our of time on court. In this podcast, Joey gives you 6 things you can do have more valuable lessons and improve quickly.
Thanks for listening everybody!
Today Joey is joined by Scott Colebourne of Cliff Drysdale Tennis to discuss why people play tennis and how they can have more success and enjoyment in their game by embracing a long-term development mindset. This is a great episode for anyone looking to improve their overall morale on court and to understand that short term results don't always lead to long term success.
Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DrysdaleTennisTips
On today's episode, we discuss the prospects of two young talents that seem to be here for good; Denis Shapovalov and Daria Kasatkina. We break down why they will be successful on tour, and not only because of their tennis ability. Talent, fight, passion and self-awareness are just a few of the qualities these two players share.
The Supreme Court on Monday cleared the path for U.S. states to start offering sports gambling, ruling that a federal law that limited the practice in the United States was unconstitutional. Tennis, the second most bet on sport in the world, could not stand to gain a serious amount of attention from U.S. bettors. Is that good? Is that bad? Joey gives som initial thoughts on the ramifications.
Coming off of an exciting weekend of college tennis action in the NCAA tournament, Joey discusses the value and entertainment of tennis in a team format. While tennis has always been an "individual" sport, combining those 1 on 1 battles in a team setting often brings out the best in the sport.
Could we see more team formats in the future? Let us know what you think!
NCAA Tennis Draws: https://www.ncaa.com/interactive-bracket/tennis-men/d1
After winning 21 straight matches and a tennis-record 50 consecutive sets, Rafeal Nadal was finally defeated Friday. Dominic Thiem took out Nadal for the third time in his career, all of which have come on clay. Joey discusses how this impacts Nadal's chances at Roland Garros(hint: not much) and how Thiem was able to get the job done.
In today's episode, we answer a listener question: how do you know if you need more spin in your game? It's a unique question that requires thinking about your current game and how you would like to improve.
Check out RPM Central: http://www.experiencemembers.com/rpmcentralpreview.html
Today on Open Stance Audio, Joey discusses how you can prepare for the impending summer heat on the tennis courts! Playing tennis in summer can be tough; it's hot, humid, and our body does not always cooperate. The ball can often fly and we struggle to maintain a consistent game. But with these few tips you can overcome all of that and have a great summer.
Check out our summer camp offerings at: www.cliffdrysdale.com
Today's episode features guest Stephen Amitraj. Amitraj has been a key factor in American tennis as a coach of many notable players, both men and women. Most recently he served as the Director of Collegiate Tennis for the USTA, where he helped college tennis players in their transition to the pro tour. He is now the Chief Tennis Officer at UTR Powered by Oracle.
Stephen and Joey discuss being a young coach, his role in helping collegiate players, and how he hopes to grow the sport at UTR.
Follow him on twitter: https://twitter.com/stephenamritraj
After a week hiatus, OSA returns! Joey gives a few key tips for playing tennis under pressure; in matches, leagues, tournaments etc. So many tennis players hit the ball great in practice, but struggle when match day comes around.
Learn how to improve in the moments that matter most.
In today's episode, Joey gives you a detailed breakdown of each of the major tennis string types on the market today: synthetic gut, multifilament, polyester and natural gut. There is a lot of false information out there about the actual effects each of these strings have, so we do out best to walk you through each of the 4's characteristics and which might be right for your game.
After over two years and $25 Million in research and investigation, an independent task force has compiled a comprehensive report on match fixing in tennis. Spurred on by reports of corruption at low level pro events in January 2016, tennis leaders created the panel and have said that they will implement all of it's recommendations. Some of which are sure to cause controversy. Joey gives his thoughts on relevant topics.
Read the report for yourself: http://tennisirp.com/
The pros make sliding on clay look easy, but when you head out there are try it for the first time, you'll realize it's definitely not that simple. While clay is slippery, it still require great lower body strength and balance to slide effectively on clay. Joey gives you a few tips on the equipment, positioning and technique required to slide on clay in this episode.
After an absolutely dominant performance in Monte-Carlo, the question this clay court season is, once again, can anyone beat Rafa? The answer: probably not. Joey breaks down why the Spaniard is virtually impossible to overcome on the red clay from a technical and mental standpoint before giving a couple names of players that could maybe possibly win a set.
Check out where Nadal is returning serve from: https://twitter.com/Dimonator/status/988038585998770176
After a shaky last 18 months for Novak Djokovic, many have begun to question if he will ever get back to the top of the sport. He took a step in the right direction in Monte Carlo by beating your Croatian Borna Coric in a good contest. Joey discusses what has changed for Novak, and what he will need to do to get back on top.
More on Djokovic's serve: https://soundcloud.com/openstanceaudio/novak-djokovics-serve-past-present-and-future
How often do nerves and new-balls get in your head during a match warmup? Well if the answer is often, you're not alone. Answering a listener question, Joey details how you can improve your match warmup in a variety of ways. From early preparation, overdone footwork, to dealing with the pop of new balls. A must listen for all serious tennis players.
Have a question you'd like Joey to answer on the podcast? Email him: j.hanf@cliffdrysdale.com
It rolls around every clay court season: why is Hawkeye not used on clay?! Today Joey tackles that topic by first laying out the facts before giving a little opinion of his own. We get into the specifics of margin of error, uneven surfaces and temper tantrums.
This episode was sparked by Monday's clay court incident with Jared Donaldson: https://twitter.com/UnArdeal/status/985829354469982208
The single most important piece of equipment for a tennis player; the racquet obviously! Choosing the right racquet for you is very important and something many players overlook. Joey discusses what should be going to through your head when selecting a racquet and how to demo/test them most effectively.
Try HEAD's Play Better quiz to find out what racquet is right for you: https://www.head.com/us-US/playbetter/
2018 is apparently the year of tennis controversy! Another story broke today, this time courtesy of the New York Times, announcing that the U.S. Open will implement a 25 second shot clock rule into the main draw of the year's final major in 2018. Previously tested in the qualifying draw, this rule has already sparked major discussion amongst players an coaches. Joey breaks it down and gives his thoughts on "working backwards" to solve an issue.
Read the full story on the impending rule change: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/11/sports/us-open-serve-clock.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone∣=nytcore-iphone-share
A technical episode dedicated to the important concepts and coaching of taking the ball and/or on the rise. In modern tennis, players have moved further and further behind the baseline, but a few still have the ability to step in and attack the ball early. It's a skill that can be challenging to perfect, but incredible valuable to utilize. Joey discusses when and how to work on taking the ball early, as well as a larger discussion on court positioning.
One of the most interesting stories to hit tennis in 2018 came out on Monday, as Madison Brengle announced she is suing the ITF, WTA and other involved indaviduals for neglecting to adhere to her medical requirements surrounding blood testing. The case is extremely interesting because it will set precedent on similar cases going forward. With the world of anti-doping becoming more complex, how much should athletes be subjected to testing while also being looked after for their health and wellness. Let the debate begin.
Full story: https://nypost.com/2018/04/10/tennis-pro-suing-wta-your-drug-tests-are-destroying-me/
With the Sunshine Double behind us, it is now 100% full speed ahead to the red clay in Europe. In this episode, Joey discusses the intricacies of clay court tennis and what exactly about the court surface makes the sport so different. From the change in bounce to the slower speed, there are many factors that impact tactics, court positioning and confidence on clay.
A slight change of pace from our normal Open Stance Audio rythym, but that's what this podcast is all about!
Tennis media is a fascinating circle that our guest Nick McCarvel has seen from inside and out. Nick has reported for traditional outlets and worked for tournaments themselves in new media roles. Learn more about how the media landscape is changing in tennis and how you too can break through the noise.
Follow Nick on twitter: https://twitter.com/NickMcCarvel
Check out the Courtside podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/courtside-the-official-podcast-of-the-us-open/id1035006515?mt=2
In it's final year on Key Biscayne, the Miami Open held a certain level of nostalgia and an even higher level of uncertainly regarding the future of the tournament and if fans would make the drive out to Miami Gardens and Hard Rock Stadium in 2019 and beyond. The high energy, latino-centric crowd came out in droves to Crandon Park Tennis Center, where they witnessed Sloane Stephens and John Isner capture titles.
After an extended break from the daily podcast, we are back! Joey was on the road and on site in Indian Wells for the BNP Paribas Open, and gives some wrap-up thoughts on the 2018 tournament including title winners Juan Martin del Potro and Naomi Osaka as well as notes on the unique conditions players face in the desert. He discusses why Roger Federer's missed drop shots on match points are exactly what makes him great, and why Daria Kasatkina could be the best thing to happen to the WTA Tour.
We apologize for the off schedule folks, it's been a crazy few days for Joey and the Cliff Drysdale Tennis team! Tennis With The Stars took place March 6th and was a huge success. Andy Gerst, co-founder of Animus Tennis, joins Joey today to talk about the event, his company, college tennis and much more!
A quick Friday roundup in the tennis world as a few pieces of news came out over the last 24 hours. Rafael Nadal officially pulled out of Indian Wells and Miami with a lingering hip injury, while Novak Djokovic looks like he'll be making a trip to the desert to give it a go. Joey discusses both of those things in depth before giving a quick shoutout to Oracle for the incredible work they are doing at the lower levels of professional tennis.
Today's podcast is a full on preview of tennis' version of the "5th Major"; the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. Joey gives his first hand experience and opinion on why the tournament is the best tennis event in the United States to attend, and how the desert conditions can change drastically between day and night sessions.
Finally, we look at a few of the major player storylines to watch.
Rafael Nadal pulled out of the 500 event in Acapulco on Tuesday at the last minute with the same hip/thigh injury he sustained at the Australian Open. Joey discusses why this is both surprising and not that concerning at the same time. Will Nadal play Indian Wells and Miami? Does this effect Roger Federer's schedule? Lots of questions answered on today's pod.
The ITF announced huge plans to overhaul Davis Cup starting in 2019, proposing an 18 team, 1 week event at a neutral site to be hosted in November. The tennis world has been abuzz(is that a word?) with reaction and opinion in the 24 hours following. Joey looks over some of the masses' reaction and gives a few opinions of his own.
Heading to Indian Wells next week? Check out: tenniswithstars.com
Today on Open Stance Audio we sit down with longtime Cliff Drysdale Tennis employee Frederico Goncalves, director of tennis at Crandon Park Tennis Center, home of the Miami Open. Freddy G talks his tennis upbringing, how he got into teaching, and the atmosphere of Crandon Park during the tournament and throughout the year. Freddy is a character and this podcast is one you don't want to miss!
Today on Open Stance Audio we have guest Scott Colebourne, VP of Operations for Cliff Drysdale Management, on the show. Scott, an award winning coach with over 15 years of teaching experience discusses his thoughts on doubles; the game most amateur and club players compete in. From doubles movement and strategy to the mental approach, we discuss it all.
Finally, another testimonial on #TennisWithTheStars, for tickets visit: tenniswithstars.com
After seeing some of the most successful results in Junior tennis history, the American boys born in the 1996-2000 range were hyped as one of the most promising groups in the world. While other youngsters like Alex Zverev, Denis Shapovalov, and Hyeon Chung have posted bigger results earlier in their career, Joey insists that now is not the time to give up hope on our American men. This is deep group that will come through in time.
We get technical on today's podcast, with host Joey Hanf breaking down every forehand grip; Continental, Eastern, Semi-Western and Western. First, we give some current player examples of who uses these grips, and then talk about the positives and negatives each one. It's possible to be successful with just about any grip, but each one requires different skills and tactics.
Watch our video on how to hit the forehand like Del Potro: https://youtu.be/A4c8uNbZGUw
Inspired by Roger Federer's discussion of goal-setting, Joey discusses how tennis players, coaches and fans at all levels can use goal setting to not only improve, but be more passionate about the sport. From realistic short term goals to dreaming big, having a process to achieve something in practice, matches and tournaments can be hugely beneficial.
Monday's computer rankings confirmed what we knew on Friday; Roger Federer is once again the world's top ranked men's tennis player. The 20 time major champion won the title in Rotterdam, and has yet to lose a match in 2018. Joey looks back on the years when this would have appeared impossible, highlights the changes Federer made and reflects on the general greatness of the Swiss legend.
Tennis With The Stars tickets: tenniswithstars.com
Happy Friday podcast fam. Today's podcast touches on a juicy subject in modern tennis; gamesmanship! Sparked by an incident between Caroline Wozniacki and Monica Niculescu in Doha, the topic of grunting and other small mental tactics has been brought forward once again. Joey has a few medium-warm takes on why gamesmanship is good for the sport, and can help BOTH players on the court.
Following off yesterday's podcast, today we list out 5 players to watch on the WTA tour this spring and beyond. It can be tougher to predict success on the WTA because there are so many young players already ranked well inside the top 200. Still, Joey gives you 5 names that are all ranked outside the top 100. Who did we miss?
Attending the Miami Open this year? Check out this event: http://allstartennismiami.com/
One of our favorite things to do here at Open Stance Audio is forecast and predict future success for unheralded players. Today Joey gives you 5 players to watch on the ATP World Tour that you might not have heard of. These players are all ranked outside the top 100, but have very promising upside and could make an impact in the coming months. Stay tuned for the WTA edition tomorrow!
Incredible San-Fran point: https://twitter.com/ATPChallenger/status/962410225931292673
2018 has been a wild year in tennis news, with polarizing stories emerging virtually every week. The present is no different; Ben Rothenberg reported Monday on Darko Grncarov; a social media influencer who disguised himself as a pro tennis player. Please read that story below, it's worth your time. Later Monday, Donald Young accused Ryan Harrison of making a racially charged remark. Add in the Tennys Sandgren controversy, and social media is colliding with the tennis world. Joey gives his overview and thoughts on the current landscape.
Read the slate piece: https://slate.com/culture/2018/02/how-darko-grncarov-tricked-serena-williams-and-the-bbc.html
We are back with a late afternoon episode! After a day of travel, Joey sits down to discuss the status of perhaps the two greatest tennis players of all time, Roger Federer and Serena Williams. Federer took a late wildcard into Rotterdam in an effort to claim the #1 ranking, while Serena made her competitive return in doubles Fed Cup action.
Sign up for the Tennis Nerd Newsletter: http://www.experiencemembers.com/newsletter.html
The first guest from within Cliff Drysdale Tennis joins the show today; Scott McCulloch, Vice President of Operations, talks about how CDT is committed to growing the game of tennis through initiatives like Net Generation and Tennis 101. Getting new people of all ages to try our great sport is the ultimate goal!
One of the most difficult challenges in tennis is playing in different conditions. Pros regularly travel to new locations that could play totally different than the week prior. From court speed, temperature, humidity, wind; the list goes on. Today we talk about a few things you can do to help yourself to adjust to new conditions.
The ITF has released more details about the upcoming "Transition Tour", an initiative created to allow more players to make a living playing tennis while reducing the amount of professional tennis players. With a new points system just 11 months away, there is still significant confusion amongst players and fans alike. Joey gives his thoughts on the current information we have on hand, and talks about some possible side effects.
Read the ITF details: http://www.itftennis.com/procircuit/about-pro-circuit/transition-tour-faqs.aspx
Today on Open Stance Audio we bring on a former All-American at the University of Illinois, Jared Hiltzik. After not being a highly touted junior, Hiltzik excelled at the collegiate level and has now risen up the professional ranks. We talk about his time at Illinois, college tennis culture, how he's managing his schedule with the looming transition tour and much more.
You can follow Jared on Twitter: @JaredHiltzik And check out his website: http://www.jaredhiltzik.com/
The first round of Davis Cup play took place over the weekend, with two new rule changes introduced. The fifth set tiebreak and an additional player nomination made for interesting viewing and both very positive going forward. Joey discusses this and some notable results from the weekend.
Here's the clip of Fucsovic's amazing tweener lob: https://youtu.be/P94gEHbfiXc?t=1m36s
After spending some time talking with players and coaches at the RBC Tennis Championships of Dallas, Joey discusses the many emotional ups and downs that players go through, just like we do in our everyday life! This episode is all about managing your passion, and trusting the process.
Mike Cation, long-time voice of the men's USTA Pro Circuit, joins Open Stance Audio at the RBC Tennis Championships of Dallas to discuss practice(yes, we're talkin about PRACTICE) what differentiates challenger players from the tour, what he chooses to disclose on air, and how he feels tennis commentary could improve.
Check out the Coffee Cast with Cation: http://mikecation.podbean.com/ Follow Mike on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeCTennis
Tim Smyczek is 30 year old professional tennis player from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has long been known as one of the best guys in the locker room, and has been ranked as high as #68 in the world. Joey sat down with Tim to discuss his recent move to Dallas, some minor technical changes in his game, the challenge of playing against your friends and much more.
We hope you enjoyed Tim's insight, and if you want to follow him, go here:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/timsmyczek Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timsmyczek/
Kei Nishikori chose to play two challenger events in his return to tennis after dealing with a wrist injury in the second half of 2018. Playing at the RBC Tennis Championships of Dallas, Nishikori got his first win and then spoke to the media afterwards about his game and goals going forward. Joey gives his thoughts after spending the day in Dallas.
Caroline Wozniacki and Roger Federer are your 2018 Australian Open champs! Wozniacki defeated Simona Halep in a fantastic three setter to claim her first major title and reclaim the world no. 1 ranking, while Federer overcame Marin Cilic in five sets to seal his 20th major title, an astonishing feat we may never see again. Joey gives some quick thoughts on the tournament.
Ahead of the Australian Open Men's and Women's finals, Ben Rothenberg joins Joey from Melbourne to preview the matchups. The Women's final features World no. 1 Simona Halep up against world no. 2 Caroline Wozniacki, while the Men's final pits No. 2 Roger Federer up against No. 5 Marin Cilic. We discuss the contributing factors that may be crucial in determining a winner.
If you like this podcast, you will definitely enjoy No Challenges Remaining, a podcast Ben co-hosts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/no-challenges-remaining/id583552127?mt=2
After a tournament marked by upsets and unseeded players making a statement, we discuss just how good the level is at every level of professional tennis. Why haven't you heard of the 200th ranked tennis player? Because we have so often labeled these players as "journeymen" or "minor league" athletes. Joey goes on a slight rant about why you should go support small professional tennis tournaments.
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In episode 12 of Open Stance Audio, Joey discusses a topic that is up for debate among coaches and players alike. Should you spend more of your time improving the weak areas of your game? Or getting better at your strengths? We believe the latter is actually more valuable and efficient, and give some player examples.
We would love to hear your thoughts on this subject!
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In today's episode, Joey tells the story of how he was essentially self-taught in the sport of tennis, and how watching tennis can have a big impact on your game. From technique to tactics, watching the pros gives you insight and helps your instinct on the court without even realizing it. With the introduction of video coaching online, it has never been more accessible to become a great players. Check out our video series below if you're interested!
Play Like the Pros video series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4c8uNbZGUw&list=PLK00WUpRVKCYR9YZDfYNTydmWb1-qm-kL&index=1
Episode 10! Our first mini-milestone, and today we bring on guest Ricky Dimon of The Grandstand to talk about how we predict the outcome of tennis matches. Ricky has picked and previewed matches on his site for many years, and has a process he goes through to make those predictions. Finally, we give you our insight into Tuesday's Quarterfinal matchups at the Australian Open!
Check out our Quarterfinal picks: http://tenngrand.com/2018/01/22/australian-open-nadal-cilic-edmund/ Follow Ricky on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dimonator
As we've seen at this year's Australian Open, playing through fatigue is something that almost everyone has to deal with. Even at your local club, the summer heat can wear you down. Today, Open Stance Audio gives you 5 keys to playing though the pain, teaching you how to manage your body and keep you in contention for the victory.
Playing in 100 degree conditions in Melbourne, players at the Australian Open battled, fought and competed to the bitter end Wednesday. It was another prime example of why tennis players are the fittest athletes on earth. Here we discuss why tennis is so tough at the highest level, and compare it to some other high profile sports.
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"I lost my shock absorber!" A phrase all tennis players have heard too often. Today on Open Stance Audio, Joey takes a great listener question about shock absorbers and if they are actually beneficial or not. While most professionals don't use them, some of the world's highest ranked players do! There has been plenty of research on the actual effects of vibration dampeners, so it often comes down to feel and personal preference. This and more on today's episode!
The elephant in the press room this week in Australia has been about a player's only meeting called by Novak Djokovic to discuss the idea and reality of starting a players union and asking for more prize money across the board, especially at grand slam events. Today on Open Stance Audio, Joey explains both sides of this argument gives you a breakdown of how much players are actually making at no. 50, 100, 200 and 300 in the world.
Original reporting in the daily mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-5268709/Novak-Djokovic-career-earnings-82m-wants-more.html
The first day of grand slam play was disastrous for U.S. players; Sloane Stephens, CoCo Vandewhege, Venus Williams, John Isner, Jack Sock were amongst a plethora of American players that fell in round 1. Belinda Bencic looks to be well on her way back to the top 10, while Andrey Rublev picked up an impressive 5 set win over David Ferrer. Catch up with all things Australian Open on this episode of Open Stance Audio.
Returning from a nearly 6-month injury break, Novak Djokovic played a couple of exhibition matches in Kooyong and Melbourne to prep for the Australian Open. He looked good overall, but a new, abbreviated service motion appears to be a significant change in the 12-time major champions game. Joey discusses how this new motion could effect Djokovic's game going forward.
If you haven't seen the new motion, here's a clip: https://twitter.com/gasparlanca/status/950927709194121216
In episode 3 of Open Stance Audio, host Joey Hanf breaks down the many different elements of a tennis offseason and how they may vary by player rank. The offseason is a time to hone your game and get healthy, but there are many other things players also have to consider during this time period.
If you haven't yet, sign up for Tennis Nerd Newsletter here: http://www.experiencemembers.com/newsletter.html
Episode 2 of Open Stance Audio highlights one of the biggest stories from week 1 of the 2018 season; Nick Kyrgios. The polarizing Aussie has never lacked talent, and showed this offseason that he may have put in the work necessary to take his game to another level. Also, we explain how the full-time addition of Matt Reid to his coaching team could make a huge difference in his morale and results.
The pilot episode of Open Stance Audio dives straight into it! What is the open stance and why is it relevant? Host Joey Hanf explains how the Open Stance, polyester string, stiff racquets and slow courts have impacted tennis in recent times. With a multitude of injuries headlining the news, what are some solutions to reduce injuries and make tennis more sustainable?
We cover all of this and more in just 10 minutes!