Tennis IQ Podcast

Marius Barnard is a former ATP pro who spent 13 years on the tour, winning 6 titles, and reaching the men’s doubles quarterfinals at both Wimbledon and the Australian Open. During his playing career, he also had doubles wins over 6 world number ones, including Roger Federer. While playing on the tour, Marius studied psychology and business management. After his career was over, he used his expertise in performance psychology and business to become a coach and mentor. Today, Marius is an executive coach helping CEOs, Directors, and Managers improve their performance with tailored development programs and managing their work pressures with self-belief, optimism and resilience.    Interview Highlights:  2:11 - Marius explains his introduction to tennis and transition from a professional tennis player to an executive coach  5:40 - The Clear Links model and the importance of self-belief to tennis players  11:10 - Utilizing interventions including visualization within the Clear Links model  22:02 - Developing a "highlight reel" from your matches to build confidence  23:58 - Focusing on the present moment in competition  28:56 - Helping athletes develop awareness  30:52 - The differences between confidence and self-belief  35:57 - How is optimism connected to self-belief?  42:11 - The parallels between life as a professional tennis player and working as an executive coach  46:27 - Resilience during a global pandemic  56:07 - Finding the silver lining from difficult situations   https://www.mariusbarnard.com/ - Marius Barnard - Performance Executive Coach

The 2021 Australian Open has concluded with Naomi Osaka and Novak Djokovic claiming the singles titles. We discuss how dominant each of these champions have been (Djokovic is 9-0 in Australian Open title matches and Osaka is 4-0 in her first four major finals), and how their mental strength has allowed them to become the champions that they are today. We also reflect on other storylines from the Australian Open including Aslan Karatsev's run to the semi-finals, Daniil Medvedev's performance throughout the tournament and final, and Jennifer Brady's run to the final.   Links to videos mentioned in this episode:   Naomi Osaka: "I was extremely nervous" press conference (F) | Australian Open 2021 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idmw9aWm3K8  Aslan Karatsev: "I'll try to enjoy the moment" press conference (QF) | Australian Open 2021  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEy6hw2AP48  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 the importance of focusing on the process. First, they break down the improvement process of becoming a better tennis player, which is slow and gradual. Next, they address the importance of enjoyment during the development process and how aiming for 1% improvements on a daily basis leads to significant long-term results. Lastly, they talk about the importance of having trust and faith in the process as improvements often can't be noticed until a later time.   Don’t Dream Big | Eric Butorac TEDx Talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3OoH_O9Y-U  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!

Cristina Rolo and Dave de Haan co-founded Rolo Mental Coaching in 2005, and their coaching focuses on performance enhancement and quality of life. Both Cristina and Dave are internationally recognized experts in the area of performance psychology and mental coaching, especially in tennis. They have extensive experience at the elite and ATP professional level, and they co-authored the book, Mental Training in Tennis: Applied Strategies for Success.   Interview Highlights:   1:27 - Cristina and Dave explain how they initially got involved in sport psychology  7:11 - Tennis as a microcosm of life  13:30 - How adversity can spur the transformation process  19:42 - Helping athletes develop their own personal philosophies  24:54 - Working with players on the ATP Tour  36:02 - Having a person-oriented holistic approach to athletes who are entering retirement  43:54 - "Why mental training" and how the chair analogy can be used to demonstrate the importance of mental training  54:28 - The philosophy of viewing everything as practice  58:18 - Helping tennis players develop mental skills from a young age as part of their athletic foundation   Rolo Mental Coaching - rolomentalcoaching.com   Mental Training in Tennis: Applied Strategies for Success - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088XR3WXW/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss routines and break down routines into three parts. First, they review pre-performance routines and how to prepare mentally and physically leading up to a competition. Next, they address during-performance routines, and specifically the "16 second cure" developed by Dr. Jim Loehr to help tennis players manage their time in-between points. Lastly, they talk about post-performance routines and how to systematically learn from competition.   The 16-Second Cure with Dr. Jim Loehr - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AviGTb3GKhQ  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 explore the topic of mindfulness. They broadly define and discuss the importance of the topic and discuss how mindfulness can be trained for tennis players. Additionally, thoughts are provided on how mindfulness can be practiced in a number of ways including meditation, mindful walks, mindful eating, and choosing to "savor" the present moment. Lastly, Brian and Josh talk about their own introductions to the topic of mindfulness and their experiences practicing mindfulness/meditation.   The Mindful Athlete - George Mumford - https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Athlete-Secrets-Pure-Performance/dp/1941529259/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1611972272&sr=1-1  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 how to handle playing against difficult opponents and cheating. They discuss the mentality needed leading up to the match to perform at a high level against difficult opponents, including having contingency plans and the ability to reset after a cheating incident. They also share anecdotes of situations from their own playing and coaching careers when they handled playing against difficult opponents in a better or worse manner.   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 explore the topic of "mental toughness" and break the concept into key attributes and characteristics of mentally tough tennis players and athletes. Mental toughness is often cited as a differentiating factor between tennis players of similar playing levels, but defining the concept and outlining it's attributes/characteristics can be challenging. This episode includes Brian's outline of the character traits of mentally tough athletes, and Josh's outline of the attributes of mentally tough tennis players.   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!

Episode 22 of the Tennis IQ Podcast discusses senior tennis through the perspective of self-determination theory (SDT). We discuss autonomy, competence (mastery), and relatedness as critical factors for helping senior tennis players stay motivated. We also discuss the importance of training perceptual skills, decision making skills, and mental toughness as a way for players to continue to perform at a high level and even improve as a they get older.   Links:   Tips for maintaining your edge: https://www.fredericknewspost.com/public/ap/older-amateurs-offer-tips-for-maintaining-your-athletic-edge/article_cc86a80a-3a9d-56c3-9ca7-03a72ed6ee03.html   Motivation and morality in senior athletes: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1612197x.2014.956326?casa_token=dU3COke3lY4AAAAA%3Af67dgFQcXdeQxmcCnKfH1jX9-_C3jzLkfckHpW1ExYNJHju_5G8S-R11Bm2bCsSAQdGgLfR-NEwC&   Articles on why tennis is a great sport for long-term health:   https://www.mdlinx.com/article/people-who-play-this-sport-live-longest/lfc-3433   https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/05/well/move/the-best-sport-for-a-longer-life-try-tennis.html   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!

Jeff Greenwald is an internationally recognized sport psychology consultant and licensed therapist. For over twenty years he has been helping athletes and professionals around the world transform and take their performances, and their lives to another level through his personal coaching, seminars, book, audio programs, and online courses. Frustrated with his performance as a modestly ranked professional tennis player in his twenties, Jeff went on to earn Master’s Degrees in clinical and sport psychology. During this process, he discovered the fundamental principles of athletic performance which propelled him from a moderately successful tennis player to No. 1 in the world in his age group with two ITF world titles. Interview Highlights: 2:05 - Jeff's introduction to the sport of tennis 4:22 - Overcoming adversity and Jeff's experience of leaving home and training at the Bollettieri Tennis Academy 5:44 - Jeff's college tennis experience and his transition to the professional tour 9:31 - The concept of "Fearless Tennis" 11:51 - Helping tennis players redirect their focus 14:37 - How can tennis players go from feeling tight to playing loose 20:30 - Helping players maximize their time in-between points and during changeovers through routines and mindfulness 26:28 - Developing pre-match routines to prepare for competition 29:52 - Utilizing a clinical background to aid with sport/performance psychology 33:34 - Accepting thoughts and feelings that arise during competition 36:20 - The importance of gratitude and the link between gratitude and performance 41:22 - Helping athletes understand that focusing on the process will ultimately lead to better results 45:58 - Figuring out your "recipe" for performing at your best 48:02 - Jeff's experiences utilizing sport/performance psychology tools on the court as he continues to compete 49:37 - How Jeff's experience as a competitor helps him identify with his clients 53:59 - How expectations and focusing on the outcome can lead to tightness on court 55:54 - Jeff's current focuses including his recent courses Fearless Tennis and Getting Tight Book: The Best Tennis of Your Life: 50 Mental Strategies for Fearless Performance - https://www.amazon.com/Best-Tennis-Your-Life-Performance-ebook/dp/B00506VMWE/ Course: Fearless Tennis Online Training - https://fearlesstennis.com/online-tennis-mental-training-course/ Course: Getting Tight with Craig O'Shannessy - https://www.braingametennis.com/getting-tight-preview-opponent-awareness/?fbclid=IwAR2AhMisCLKK9jFqILirnCSAMPUtYg4sflr5opIwTOOFVvl-b6Gxs4eXA6Y