Experts in Sport

In this episodeof the Experts in Sport podcast, host Martin Foster is joined by former British No.1 and Wimbledon champion Jayant Mistry, Professor Vicky Tolfrey, and Dr Thomas Rietveld to explore how athlete experience, research and technology have driven the sport's evolution. From custom-built chairs and performance science to Wimbledon and the future of the game, discover how innovation continues to shape wheelchair tennis.01:00 Wimbledon reflections and how the sport has evolved05:00 Jayant Mistry's journey from local courts to Wimbledon champion08:50 Vicky Tolfrey's introduction to parasport research13:45 How Thomas Reitveld became a wheelchair tennis researcher16:45 The evolution of wheelchair tennis chairs21:00 Science meets sport: Optimising wheelchair performance27:20 Customised chairs, technology and performance gains32:20 Turning athlete ideas into research questions36:40 Court surfaces, Wimbledon grass and equipment regulations38:30 Accessibility, participation and getting started in wheelchair tennis44:20 Emerging research: surfaces, sensors and performance analysis46:20 Classification debates and inclusivity in wheelchair tennis53:50 The future of wheelchair tennis over the next decade

Recorded in the week before England's World Cup quarter-final win over Norway, host Martin Foster is joined by Dr Johan Rewilak (Loughborough University) and Ambar Ferra (Houston Dynamo) to discuss the 2026 FIFA World Cup from the heart of the host nation. From packed fan festivals and record attendances to ticket prices, the Messi effect and the future of soccer in the USA, they explore whether this tournament can create a lasting legacy for fans, clubs and communities. Plus, their World Cup predictions before the knockout stage drama unfolded.

In this episode of Experts in Sport, we explore the hidden world behind World Cup success — performance analysis. From data and video to real-time decision-making, discover how analysts and coaches use cutting-edge technology to gain a competitive edge when margins are razor-thin.Host Martin Foster is joined by Brad Pryjmachuk (Hudl) and Donald Barron (Loughborough University) to unpack how teams prepare for major tournaments, adapt under pressure, and translate complex data into winning strategies. They discuss everything from analysing opponents and managing player performance in extreme conditions, to the psychology of penalties and the evolving role of AI in sport.05:01 What Performance Analysis Looks Like at a World Cup11:31 Pre-Tournament Prep vs In-Tournament Adaptation14:41 Data Overload & Decision-Making20:31 Individual Players & Tactical Game Plans26:31 Technology & Evolution of the Analyst Role30:31 Penalties, Psychology & Marginal Gains42:00 Tactical Trends at This World Cup57:11 Future of Performance Analysis 01:04:31 Predictions

What does it take to perform at the 2026 FIFA World Cup? In this episode, host Martin Foster is joined by experts Dr Lee Taylor, Dr Chris Esh, Professor Christa Janse van Rensburg, and Dr Valérie Bougault to break down the science behind competing across extreme heat, altitude, long-haul travel, and challenging environments. From heat acclimation and recovery strategies to jet lag and air quality, this is a behind-the-scenes look at how teams prepare for football’s biggest stage.2026 World Cup 3:46Heat Preparation 5:45Travel and Sleep 19:51Altitude 29:11Air Quality 40:07Working together 49:21Who is going to win? 54:35

In this episode of the Experts in Sport, we explore the global role of FIFA as the world builds towards the FIFA World Cup. Host Martin Foster is joined by FIFA high-performance specialists Richard Allen and former international footballer Philippe Senderos, the discussion goes beyond the tournament itself to examine how football is developed worldwide—from grassroots talent pathways to global policy, investment, and opportunity. Blending personal insight with expert analysis, the episode offers a unique look at how the World Cup shapes the game on and off the pitch.What does a World Cup feel like? 5:54Philippe's highlights 13:14What has changed? 20:39FIFA's role 23:18Development worldwide 28:01This World Cup 49:33Who's going to win? 55:56