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The GreatBase Tennis Podcast

The GreatBase Tennis Podcast

Steve Smith and Associates 306 Episodes Sep 16, 2026

The GreatBase Tennis Podcast is a weekly audio show presented by Steve Smith and associates. It provides information, ideas, and insights to help those connected to the game of tennis.

Episodes

US Open Review 2026
US Open Review 2026 Sep 16, 2026 5252 Steve Smith, Dave Anderson, and Pol O'Callaghan dedicate episode 318 of the GreatBase Tennis Podcast to a wide-ranging review of the U.S. Open, opening with Roger Federer's emotional Hall of Fame ceremony and moving into a deep discussion on the brutal, unforgiving nature of professional tennis. Drawing on Matt Futterman's book "Tennis is the Cruelest Game," the group brea
The Wolf in Winter Review
The Wolf in Winter Review Sep 9, 2026 3426 Steve Smith and Dave Anderson dedicate episode 317 of the GreatBase Tennis Podcast to a discussion of the new Novak Djokovic documentary, Wolf in Winter, breaking down its themes of sacrifice, discipline, and the unusual path that shaped one of the greatest careers in tennis history. The two dig into Djokovic's childhood in war-torn Yugoslavia, his early coaching influences, and the family dy
Low Performance Coach
Low Performance Coach Sep 2, 2026 5637 Steve Smith and Dave Anderson welcome Cris Valverde, a longtime pro from Portland, Oregon, back to the GreatBase Tennis Podcast to talk about his son taking a gap year at the Ave Maria program before college. The conversation opens light, touching on teaching your own spouse and staying humble in the profession, before moving into a broader discussion on mentorship, onboarding new coaches, and the
The Three Legged Stool
The Three Legged Stool Aug 26, 2026 4159 Steve Smith and Dave Anderson are joined by Pol O'Callaghan for episode 315 of the GreatBase Tennis Podcast, kicking off with news of the USTA's new AI-powered coaching platform co-founded by Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf. The three dig into what AI can and cannot do for player development, making the case that no amount of technology can replace thousands of hours of hands-on coaching an
Records, Rivalries and Respect
Records, Rivalries and Respect Aug 19, 2026 5946 Steve Smith and Dave Anderson dedicate the latest episode of the GreatBase Tennis Podcast to the Chrissie and Martina documentary, taking listeners on a deep and detailed walk through the records, rivalries, and history behind two of the greatest careers in tennis. Steve runs through an exhaustive list of Chris Evert's win loss records against nearly every rival of her era, while both hosts r
Fear of Losing Is the Enemy
Fear of Losing Is the Enemy Aug 12, 2026 6353 Steve Smith welcomes Pol Otin O'Callaghan back to the GreatBase Tennis Podcast, a highly ranked Spanish junior and former Campbell University standout who holds a master's in Data Analytics and will begin his first season as Head Coach of Ave Maria's Men's and Women's Tennis Teams for 2026-27. Pol will be mentored by Steve, who is serving the Ave Maria Athletic Department
The Wall Was My Babysitter
The Wall Was My Babysitter Aug 5, 2026 6223 Steve Smith and Dave Anderson welcome Egor Shestakov to the latest episode of the GreatBase Tennis Podcast, a 24-year-old teaching pro originally from Kaliningrad, Russia, now based in Dallas and coaching on staff at Brookhaven Tennis Academy. Egor shares his journey from hitting balls on hardwood and carpet courts as a kid, to becoming team captain at the University of Texas at Tyler, to working
Arvind Aravindhan: A Life in Tennis
Arvind Aravindhan: A Life in Tennis Jul 29, 2026 7370 Steve Smith and Dave Anderson welcome Arvind Aravindhan to the latest episode of the GreatBase Tennis Podcast, a high performance coach, CEO of Gulph Mills Tennis Club, and Executive Director of the Julian Krinsky School of Tennis. Arvind brings a remarkable resume to the conversation, having competed as the number two junior in India and a top 75 ITF junior, coached at all four majors, and served
Wimbledon Wrap-Up & Dying Doubles
Wimbledon Wrap-Up & Dying Doubles Jul 22, 2026 5367 Steve Smith and Dave Anderson dig into the latest from Wimbledon, breaking down the singles and doubles action with their usual mix of sharp observation and strong opinions. The two discuss standout performances, emerging patterns of play, and what the results say about the state of the modern game on grass.The conversation drifts into a broader discussion about the lost art of doubles and what th
Back to Basics: The Serve
Back to Basics: The Serve Jul 15, 2026 7393 This episode is a deep dive into the serve, one of the most technically demanding and consequential shots in tennis. Steve and Dave break down the mechanics from grip and trophy position to pronation and ball toss, making the case that most players are leaving significant free points on the table simply because they were never taught to serve correctly from the start.The conversation covers everyt
Brookside Basics
Brookside Basics Jul 8, 2026 6001 Steve Smith and Dave Anderson are joined by Brookside teaching pros Aoife Wilson and Brendan Moore for a wide-ranging conversation about coaching culture, player development, and the GreatBase system in action at the Brookside training program. Aoife shares her journey from Ireland to Tyler Junior College and later Alabama, while Brendan traces his path from junior tennis into coaching and eventua
Mason Vaughan: On The Rise
Mason Vaughan: On The Rise Jul 1, 2026 3657 Steve Smith and Dave Anderson welcome 16-year-old junior player Mason Vaughan to the podcast for a candid conversation about his tennis journey. From his first trip to Memphis at age eight, to living away from home and training full-time at Brookhaven, Mason shares the struggles, the growth, and the routines that have shaped him into the player he is today.The conversation covers everything from m

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