

Tennis IQ Podcast
Tennis IQ Podcast
Ninety percent of tennis performance is mental and that's what makes the sport so difficult. Sport psychology professionals Brian Lomax and Josh Burger share their insights on mental performance in tennis, discuss current events in the world of tennis, and interview guests with a unique perspective on mental toughness. Whether you want to learn more about the mental game in tennis or you just have an interest in the sport, this is the podcast for you. Send your questions to tennisiqpodcast@gmail.com or via Twitter using #tennisiq.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 25, 2023 • 47min
Ep. 134 - Finishing Matches
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the difficulties faced in finishing sets and matches. The co-hosts examine why these moments in matches are so mentally challenging for tennis players. Additionally, they review mental tools that tennis players can utilize to handle these moments better when they come up. Topics of discussion include how preparing for these moments ahead of time can be beneficial, the importance of visualization, and how players can use breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and shaking out their arms and legs to release physical tension in their bodies during these moments.
Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membershipTo 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, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes.

May 19, 2023 • 44min
Ep. 133 - Using Rules to Make Better Decisions
In this episode, Brian and Josh examine how tennis players can utilize rules for making better decisions during matches. The co-hosts discuss ways that tennis players can simplify their decision making process by developing rules regarding shot selection. This rules-based approach can be used for choosing directionals based on movement and court position, for when a player steps into the court for an approach shot, and also for pressure situations such as deuce points, ad points, and during tiebreakers.
Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membershipTo 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, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes.

May 11, 2023 • 45min
Ep. 132 - Embrace Uncertainty to Become a Better Player
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how tennis players can embrace and accept uncertainty. Uncertainty is an inevitability in tennis and in life, and the co-hosts review strategies and tools that tennis players can utilize in their matches and practices to handle uncertainty in better ways. Examples of uncertainty include uncertainty about how well you’ll play in a match, uncertainty of the level of your opponent, and uncertainty about the final outcome of the match.
Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membershipTo 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.

May 3, 2023 • 39min
Ep. 131 - Why Practicing Acceptance Is Important
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss why the concept of acceptance is necessary within a tennis player’s development, and during matches. They review situations in a tennis player’s career when acceptance of one’s progress or current level can be helpful. Additionally, the benefits of accepting the uncertainty of results is examined, as well as accepting that errors will take place, making it easier to process mistakes and move on from them.
TEDx Talk by Eric Butorac - Don’t Dream Big - https://youtu.be/B3OoH_O9Y-UTennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membershipTo 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 (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes.

Apr 27, 2023 • 45min
Ep. 130 - The Good and Bad of Perfectionism in Tennis
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss perfectionism in tennis. Due to the individual nature of the sport as well as the demands and time requirements of tennis, it is a sport that tends to attract people with perfectionist qualities. The co-hosts review the benefits of perfectionism, including work ethic and potential for high achievement, but also provide strategies for tennis players, coaches, and parents to combat the negative aspects of perfectionism.
Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membershipTo 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.

Apr 18, 2023 • 55min
Ep. 129 - The Value of Consistency in All Things
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the benefits of consistency in tennis. Oftentimes, consistency is brought up in reference to players being able to make as many shots in a row as possible, however this is only a part of the concept of consistency in tennis. The co-hosts review other aspects of playing consistently, including how to consistently play aggressively, and successfully implement your patterns and tactics. Lastly, they discuss how consistent effort and intensity over time leads to significant improvement over time.
Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membershipTo 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.

Apr 11, 2023 • 47min
Ep. 128 - Suffering Is a Key to Success
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the philosophical concept of suffering and how it applies to persevering and focus in a match. The more that players understand they must suffer through the ups and downs of a match, the more ready they will be when a moment of opportunity arrives. Additionally, the hosts review how taking responsibility for your own game and performance leads to greater results over time rather than looking for excuses.
Mentioned within the episode:Ep. 26 - The Power of RoutinesCNN Article on Rafael Nadal - “This world-class athlete talks like Aristotle and acts like Confucius. We can all learn from him” - https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/27/world/rafael-nadal-philosophy-blake-cec/index.htmlNadal press conference match against Dominic Thiem in 2018 US Open - https://youtu.be/T4wJIa9C5qkTennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membershipTo 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.

Apr 3, 2023 • 1h 7min
Ep. 127 - Carrie Jackson on Mindset and Injury Recovery
Carrie Jackson is a performance and mental training expert, a Certified Mental Performance Consultant, and the author of On Top of Your Game: Mental Skills to Maximize Your Athletic Performance. Her insights have been featured in multiple media outlets including Runner’s World, Outside Magazine, New York Times, Washington Post, U.S. News and World Report, and Huffington Post to name a few. She is one of the world’s foremost authorities on the mental and emotional challenges of recovering from injury. She co-authored the book Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries and is the co-host of the widely regarded podcast The Injured Athletes Club.As a coach and consultant, she has worked with thousands of athletes and coaches on mastering their mindsets so they can perform with less pressure, more consistency, and enjoy the process. Through her coaching programs and the Rebound membership, she brings mindset training tools to athletes that help them shift their focus from anxiety and self-doubt to resilience and confidence. Carrie is on a mission to help athletes challenge their limiting beliefs, regain confidence in their gifts and fall in love with their sport again.Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membershipTo 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.

Mar 28, 2023 • 41min
Ep. 126 - Perform Better Through Discipline
In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how discipline with good habits tend to decreases over time. The co-hosts review why this can happen to players, and suggest mindsets and mental tools that players can utilize to try to address this. Approaches discussed included journaling, self-talk, and utilizing a long-term development plan to track your progress.
Tennis IQ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast/membershipTo 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 (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes.

Mar 24, 2023 • 11min
Special Announcement from Josh and Brian
We are very excited to announce a new model of support for the Tennis IQ Podcast through Patreon along with some great benefits!
Fan level - $3 per month
Supporter level - $7 per month
Champion level - $20 per month
This support for the podcast is month-to-month and you can end your support at any time.
The Fan level will have access to all episode transcripts starting in April of 2023.
The Supporter level will have access to all transcripts, access to the quarterly book club on Zoom beginning in June of 2023, and two live master classes on Zoom with Brian and Josh per year which will start in April of 2023.
The Champion level will have access to all transcripts, access to the quarterly book club on Zoom beginning in June of 2023, and monthly live master classes on Zoom with Brian and Josh which will start in April of 2023.
The first master class in April will be open to all support levels and all listeners. We will be posting the registration link for the class on a number of social channels as well as in the show notes and on our Patreon page.
The first book club discussion in June will also be open to all. We'll announce the book for the quarter soon, and we'll promote the registration link on social media as well as on our Patreon page.
Feel free to reach out to us via email at tennisiqpodcast@gmail.com with any questions.
To become a Patron and support our podcast please go to: https://www.patreon.com/tennisiqpodcast.