
Baseline Intelligence with Jonathan Stokke
Baseline Intelligence is a podcast dedicated to providing a broad array of insights and perspectives for both highly competitive and recreational tennis players. In addition to comprehensive discussions related to proper technique, helpful practice, training and strategy recommendations, this podcast explores the dimensions of important mental training, and the application and interpretation of meaningful tennis analytics. Just as important, this podcast aims to be a fun, entertaining and informative listen that includes candid interviews with top ATP and WTA players, up-and-coming tour players, top NCAA men’s and women’s tennis coaches, and other leading voices in the world of tennis.
Latest episodes

Feb 3, 2025 • 39min
Ian Westermann: The improvement process and why players get stuck at the same level
Ian Westerman from Essential Tennis joins the podcast. Ian's YouTube channel has over 300,000 subscribers, he has one of the top tennis podcasts, and has helped millions of players with his online content. Click here to watch the video on YouTube:We talk:1:00 Why players go see Ian2:30 Why players get stuck at the same level11:49 Deeply ingrained habits16:15 Working towards actual improvement24:38 Ian's tennis passion32:15 Best advice for the 4.0 player

Jan 20, 2025 • 42min
Rajeev Ram: LOSE the right way to WIN more matches
3-time US Open Champion, 2-time Olympic Silver Medalist and former ATP World #1 Rajeev Ram joins the podcast. Click here to watch on YouTube...https://youtu.be/x9jIYxuPE6Y?si=_M98dgOW9d5dVkCeWe talk:1:07 Offseason growth4:53 Making practices more competitive7:09 Adjusting to a new partner10:07 Handling a lefty serve15:59 One-handed return of serve21:54 First volley footwork27:32 Losing the right way31:21 Getting your body ready for competition35:49 Best advice for the 4.0 player

Jan 6, 2025 • 37min
Jessica Pegula: Play better tiebreakers and "undercook" your practices
Jessica Pegula joins us for the 79th episode of Baseline Intelligence. If you want to watch her interview on YouTube, click the link below...https://youtu.be/AxrDZnaVuXY?si=vixdalQ9_P9jHR7eWe talk:1:10 Her current health situation3:11 Load management5:59 Her mindset entering a tiebreaker11:38 Playing mental games to feel better about the current situation15:34 Risk vs. reward17:45 What she's learned from Mark Merklein21:30 What she's learned from Mark Knowles24:28 What she learned from the US Open26:23 What she does when her serve goes off in a match31:30 Tinkering with her equipment

Dec 23, 2024 • 40min
Ashley Neaves: The Tennis Mentor discusses "The Five R's" and how they can improve your groundstrokes
Ashley Neaves, aka The Tennis Mentor, joins the podcast to discusses five things you can do to improve your groundstrokes. Want to watch on YouTube? Click the link below...https://youtu.be/vHLfCZTgee0?si=oK4sG4qZE25q-OJqWe talk:2:12 What skills should you start learning first?6:33 Anticipation vs. footwork9:35 Obsessing over technique11:13 The "Five R's"12:42 Ready16:50 Read22:03 React25:30 Respond30:11 Recovery 34:23 Basic singles tips38:20 Best advice for the 4.0 player

Dec 9, 2024 • 33min
Eddie Elliott: What wins and loses matches on the pro tour
Eddie Elliott joins us for the 77th episode of Baseline Intelligence. Eddie has worked with top WTA pro Lauren Davis for the past 6 seasons. :50 What wins on the pro tour2:07 High percentage tennis5:32 What loses on the WTA tour9:12 Fixing strokes before a tournament15:58 Staying with a player for 6 seasons20:15 Baseline success on the pro tour23:25 What he looks for in a player27:02 Best coaching advice he's ever received

Nov 25, 2024 • 34min
Justin Russ: Level up your fitness this offseason
Charleston Doubles Camp DetailsDates: March 30th - April 1st (sold out) April 2nd - April 4th (spots still available)Location: Snee Farm Country Club, Mount Pleasant SCTennis: 8-11 each mornings, 5 coaches for 16 playersPro event: Tickets to the afternoon sessions of the WTA 500 event and a premium gift bagGroup Dinner: Night 2 of the campPrice: $2850 or $2650 if you subscribe to the bonus episodes of the podcastIf you have questions or are interested in reserving your spot in the camp, email me at jonathan@stokketennis.com.Today's guest is Justin Russ. Justin is a strength and conditioning coach who has worked with ATP/WTA players, NCAA national champions, and adult players of all ages and levels. Find more from Justin and his staff at https://www.coachjustinruss.com/We talk:1:49 What should a warmup look like for an amateur adult player?4:05 How does rolling out help your muscles?5:32 Low back pain7:22 Gaining strength in your posterior chain9:03 What is athleticism?10:30 Multisport exposure15:53 Genetic influence on athleticism 17:30 "Sneaky" athleticism20:12 IG fitness coaches25:59 First steps for starting your S&C plan28:55 What he wishes he knew 5 years ago

Nov 12, 2024 • 24min
Steve Smith: 50 years of serving knowledge
Steve Smith joins the podcast for the 75th episode of Baseline Intelligence. Steve has worked with players in over 40 states and 30 countries, and has helped 12 players go on to win NCAA National Championships. You can find Steve and all of his content at www.greatbasetennis.com.We talk:1:07 Film your serve7:53 Height of the toss14:11 Being patient when changing a stroke17:45 Second serve drills

Oct 28, 2024 • 35min
Peter Freeman: How to beat a pusher
Indian Wells Doubles CampDates: March 5th - March 7thLocation: Cathedral Canyon Tennis ClubPerks: Gift bags from Yonex, Vuori, and other sponsors. Two court side seats to the BNP 1000 night sessionsTennis: 9 hours of tennis over 3 days with 5 coaches for 16 playersPrice: $2850 OR $2650 for bonus episode subscribersEmail me at jonathan@stokketennis.com for more information or to reserve your spot!Peter Freeman from Crunchtime Coaching joins the podcast.On today's episode we talk:1:40 What's a pusher?3:53 Why do pushers win?7:15 What's a tweener?9:35 How to beat a pusher17:48 Becoming more self aware21:46 Slice disrespect24:15 Can you improve as a pusher?27:12 Best advice he's receive from another coach28:48 Frustration in the improvement process31:29 TennisCon8

Oct 15, 2024 • 34min
Bruce Lipka: Teaching technique to support your tactics
Bruce Lipka joins the podcast for this week's bonus episode. Bruce is a 3-time USPTA coach of the year, has worked with over 20 top 100 WTA/ATP pros, and is currently the head coach of the Penn State men's tennis team. We talk:1:05 Teaching technique to support tactics7:26 Finding your optimal tactics17:13 Fighting resistance with players20:49 How you spell "pusher"27:00 How pros eliminate errors

Sep 23, 2024 • 34min
Nate Lammons: 2024 US Open semifinalist talks returns, reflex volleys and seeing the ball big
The 20th ranked doubles player on the ATP tour and 2024 US Open semifinalist Nate Lammons joins the podcast.We talk:2:29 Late bloomer5:38 Learning from his college coaches7:31 Staying calm in big situations11:49 Underdog vs. favorite mentality13:33 Returning first serves18:15 Lobbing close net players20:28 Picking return targets22:46 Return grip24:44 Serving fundamentals27:27 Second serve toss29:58 String and racket preferences