Tennis IQ Podcast

In this episode Brian and Josh discuss how to handle playing an injured opponent. The co-hosts review various mental challenges related to playing an injured opponent including how to handle injury time-outs, how opponent injuries can cause a loss of rhythm, and how to handle distractions that injuries can present. Additionally, they consider how utilizing mental skills like self-talk, visualization, breathing techniques, and routines can give tennis players a better chance to handle the situation in an effective way. To 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 or Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes.

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how to integrate mental skills into practice. A number of strategies are covered that players and coaches can utilize in order to practice in a deliberate way and best prepare for matches. The co-hosts reviewed specific games and drills that can be used to enhance mental skills such as focus, hitting targets on the court, and building in-between point routines. Additionally, they discussed the type of mindset that is needed in order to get the most out of practice. To 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 or Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes.

Howard Bryant is an award winning author and journalist who has been a senior writer for ESPN since 2007. Although he writes about a number of sports and topics within sport, he is an astute observer of tennis and he always brings a unique perspective with his analysis of matches and issues within the game. Howard also plays tennis and therefore has first-hand knowledge of how difficult the sport is mentally. As a professional observer of sport, he is uniquely qualified to discuss the mental and emotional challenges that tennis players face.   For more information about Howard’s background: https://howardbryantbooks.com/about   Howard’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/hbryant42   To 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 or Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes.

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the 2022 Wimbledon Championships. Elena Rybakina defeated Ons Jabeur 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 to win the women's singles championship while Novak Djokovic defeated Nick Kyrgios 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3) to win the men's singles championship. The co-hosts reviewed various sport psychology themes and talked about how the finalists and champions exhibited certain mental qualities that helped them achieve success in the 2022 Wimbledon Championships.   Ons Jabeur post-final press conference transcript: http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=178051   Elena Rybakina post-final press conference transcript: http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=178050   Nick Kyrgios post-final press conference transcript: http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=178045   Novak Djokovic post-final press conference transcript: http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=178042   To 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 (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes.

"If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same" This quote appears above the door leading to Wimbledon's Centre Court and it is a challenge to all players who step on to that most famous court. In this episode, Josh and Brian discuss the excerpt from Rudyard Kipling's poem 'If-' and relate it to the difficulties players encounter during a tennis match. Additionally, they relate this quote to one from Theodore Roosevelt's 'The Man in the Arena' speech. Both quotes provide important viewpoints and perspectives to consider while watching and playing tennis. Text of 'If-': https://poets.org/poem/if Text of 'The Man in the Arena' speech: https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/Learn-About-TR/TR-Encyclopedia/Culture-and-Society/Man-in-the-Arena.aspx Blog post explaining Triumph and Disaster: https://performancextra.com/stoicism-in-sport/triumph-and-disaster-treat-those-two-imposters-the-same/

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the concept of mini-wins and mini-celebrations. Tennis players can look to celebrate controllable sources of “mini-wins” that they successfully complete in practice and matches. These could include performing a stroke correctly during practice when they are trying to make a technical adjustment, celebrating successfully completing their pre-match routine, and celebrating going through the in-between point routine in matches. Mini-wins have positive benefits physiologically and psychologically.   Dan Abrahams post on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dan-abrahams-b72a306_i-was-re-listening-to-joe-rogan-interview-activity-6947448262857531392-RmZf?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web   To 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 (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes.

In this episode, Brian and Josh respond to a listener question about playing in the extreme heat. Topics discussed include the importance of preparation, the need to control the controllables, and how understanding your body and limits prior to a match gives you a better chance to perform at a high level. Additionally, they review the importance of maintaining perspective and connecting to a deeper purpose of improvement and performance excellence in order to embrace extreme weather conditions and heat.   References:  Craighead, D. H., Shank, S. W., Gottschall, J. S., Passe, D. H., Murray, B., Alexander, L. M., & Kenney, W. L. (2017). Ingestion of transient receptor potential channel agonists attenuates exercise‐induced muscle cramps. Muscle & Nerve, 56(3), 379-385. https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.25611   Gomes, R. V., Moreira, A., Lodo, L., Nosaka, K., Coutts, A. J., & Aoki, M. S. (2013). Monitoring training loads, stress, immune-endocrine responses and performance in tennis players. Biology of Sport, 30(3), 173-180. doi: 10.5604/20831862.1059169   Kovacs, M. S. (2007). Tennis physiology: Training the competitive athlete. Sports Medicine, 37(3), 189-198. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200737030-00001   Kovacs, M. S., & Baker, L. B. (2014). Recovery interventions and strategies for improved tennis performance. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48, i18-i21. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2013-093223   Ojala, T., & Häkkinen, K. (2013). Effects of the tennis tournament on players' physical performance, hormonal responses muscle damage and recovery. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 12, 240-248.   Ranchordas, M. K., Rogersion, D., Ruddock, A., Killer, S. C., & Winter, E. M. (2013). Nutrition for tennis: Practical recommendations. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 12(2), 211-224.   Reid, M., & Duffield, R. (2014). The development of fatigue during match-play tennis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48, i7-i11. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2013-093196   To 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 (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes.

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss self-talk strategies to handle Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANT’s). Certain strategies mentioned were inspired from the book Chatter by Ethan Kross including distancing from the problem (seeing it from an outsider’s perspective), journaling, and using one’s own voice when communicating through self-talk. Additionally, the co-hosts reviewed the importance of developing one’s personal philosophy and building character when it comes to developing effective self-talk strategies.   To 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 (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes.

In this episode, Brian and Josh review the 2022 French Open. They discuss Iga Swiatek and her performance in the tournament which culminated with a 6-1 6-3 victory in the championship match over Coco Gauff. This victory furthered her current winning streak to 35 matches and is her second Roland Garros title and second major title. Additionally, the co-hosts chatted about Rafael Nadal’s victory in the final over Casper Ruud 6-3 6-3 6-0 which was Nadal’s 14th Roland Garros title and 22nd major title. For both finalists, Coco Gauff and Casper Ruud, it was their first major final and a key step in the progress of their careers. For all four finalists, their mindsets and mental games were key contributing factors in their success; topics discussed included the importance of prioritizing mental skills, utilizing one’s platform to promote social change, and the importance of character.     To 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 or Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes.

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss strategies for how tennis players can handle slumps. Slumps are times when players have a losing streak, lose more matches than they are accustomed to, or simply when a player has a period of time when they aren’t playing at their best. The co-hosts talked about research relating to the factors that determine how a player handles a slump, discussed the impact of psychological momentum, and reviewed the importance of how an individual appraises their slump.   Research study mentioned in the episode: “Overcoming performance slumps: Psychological resilience in expert cricket batsmen” -  Chris Brown, Joanne Butt, and Mustafar Sarkar of Sheffield Hallam University http://shura.shu.ac.uk/23679/1/Brown%2C%20Butt%2C%20Sakar%20Performance%20slumps%20resilience%202018.pdf   To 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 or Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes.