The GreatBase Tennis Podcast

In this episode of the Great Base Tennis Podcast, Steve Smith is joined by Dave Anderson, Andy Fitzell, and Tim Ross for a wide-ranging discussion centered on doubles development and the 2025 US Open. The team reflects on the standout performance of Robert Cash and James Trotter Tracy, a former Ohio State duo, analyzing how their college training, chemistry, and aggressive net play translated to the tour level. The conversation expands into the broader state of doubles, highlighting common ga...

In this episode of the Great Base Tennis Podcast, Steve Smith and Dave Anderson explore lessons from the 2025 US Open, breaking down key storylines from Carlos Alcaraz’s win over Jannik Sinner to Amanda Anisimova’s stunning turnaround. They reflect on the leadership journey of figures like Stacey Allaster, and the legacy of tennis education programs across the U.S. The conversation expands to include doubles development, court surfaces, the evolution of coaching, and what legends like C...

In this episode of the GreatBase Tennis Podcast, Steve Smith is joined by returning guest Dave Anderson and visiting coach Kervin Ramos. Together, the trio unpacks key storylines from the 2025 US Open — including matches involving Carlos Alcaraz, Frances Tiafoe, Coco Gauff, Alexander Bublik, and Taylor Fritz — while weaving in lessons for players, parents, and coaches at all levels. Beyond match results, the conversation dives into the mental game, player habits, and the gap between athletici...

Steve Smith and Dave Anderson sit down to tackle issues shaping today’s tennis, from the growing trend of withdrawals at tournaments like Kalamazoo to the impact of DNFs in college play. They share candid stories—from Connor Smith’s days at Ohio State to the traditions of junior tennis—to underline why competing fully matters more than ever. The conversation highlights how playing matches, regardless of the outcome, builds resilience and experience that no shortcut can replace. The discussion...

Steve Smith hosts a wide-ranging conversation with Ilya Semyonov, Andy Fitzell, and Dave Anderson, diving into common cures for problems in tennis. The discussion kicks off with mixed doubles and its controversial format changes, before branching into broader reflections on the state of the sport. From professional events and scheduling decisions to the lessons coaches can draw from doubles specialists, podcast 262 emphasizes how tennis needs both innovation and tradition to thrive. The coach...

Steve Smith, Costas Alevizopoulos, Dave Anderson, and Andy Fitzell join forces to share coaching wisdom drawn from decades of experience. Together, they explore the systems, habits, and mindsets that form the foundation of great player development. The 261st podcast conversation blends humor, storytelling, and practical guidance, offering value to players, parents, and coaches at every stage. They also highlight the role of mentorship, community, and adaptability in a player’s journey, showin...

Celebrating five years, the GreatBase Tennis Podcast brings together Steve Smith, Costas Alevizopoulos, and Dave Anderson for stories from the Kalamazoo Nationals, colorful memories of coach T.J. Tisdale, and reflections on building strong player programs. Anecdotes from decades of coaching are blended with insights on training habits, competitive mindsets, and the importance of creating ambassadors within a tennis community. A central theme of episode 260 is documenting development thr...

Perhaps the most talked about program in US tennis is the USTA's player development program. During the episode at hand, number 259, Steve Smith and Dave Anderson discuss the popular topic and the challenge of improving tennis in America. Points from previous podcasts are repeated and reinforced. Perhaps no people in a position to make major changes will hear this podcast. On the other hand, anyone and everyone who listens will hear numerous ways to improve the growth and welfare of our game.

On the 258th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith and Constantinos Alevizopoulos round up their Wimbledon chat with Dave Anderson. For the third week, the conversation is about Wimbledon 2025. A few questions are also answered. If one were to listen to this episode, number 258, they may say, "Shut up, go by a hot dog and sit in section F." Or possibly they may say, "On this podcast you hear a different perspective because many comments revolve around fact-based instructi...

On the 257th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith and Constantinos Alevizopoulos are once again at the table, and Dave Anderson is on the phone. There will be a quiz on how to spell the full name of our friend from Greece. Just printing out "Good Guy" will be accepted and understood. Now that everybody and their brother has a podcast, we appreciate you taking the time to listen to ours. Based on the core information provided by the primary pillars of our curriculum, we are con...

On the 256th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith and Constantinos Alevizopoulos are at the table and Dave Anderson is on the phone. Constantinos is coaching with Steve at the Wintergreen Resort; the beautiful mountainside facility is in Virginia. Dave leads one of the most productive junior development programs in the US at the prestigious Brookhaven Country Club in Dallas, Texas. The three cover a few topics pertaining to Wimbledon 2025. Additionally, Dave asks Steve a...

On the 255th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith, Ilja Semjonovs, and Dave Anderson ask Dr. Tracey King questions. Currently, Tracey leads mental training skills for the Brookhaven program in Dallas, Texas. As a player, she was a top junior player who earned a Division I scholarship. She also played at the professional level and represented her native New Zealand in Fed Cup. She has a PhD in psychology. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Nevada...

On the 254th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith, Jeff Lewis, and Dave Anderson share odds and ends. As always, the effort is to enlighten tennis enthusiasts. In this episode, there was also an attempt to entertain our listeners. Thank you for listening and sharing.

On the 253rd episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith, Jeff Lewis, and Dave Anderson talk tennis. Their conversation focuses primarily on competitive junior tennis in the US. The trio have history. Steve has known Dave for forty years and Jeff for nearly thirty. Hopefully, their time in developmental tennis translates into an interesting number of various perspectives that will help our listeners. One highlight of this episode is being informed on how to connect with Jeff and Dave...

On the 252nd episode of GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith, Dave Anderson, and Ivan Ozerets discuss tennis doubles. The trio is confident that their conversation will help listeners improve their overall understanding of doubles. Thank you for listening, and please consider sharing our website: www.greatbasetennis.com. GreatBase Tennis Education is a non-profit organization that shares free educational tennis content.

On the 251st episode of the GreatBase tennis podcast, Steve Smith, Ivan Ozerets, and Dave Anderson talk with Sam Garcia. Sam is currently the director of tennis at the prestigious Quail Valley River Club in Vero Beach, Florida. Sam is an award-winning pro who works at an award-winning club. Steve, Dave, and Sam reminisce. The three have known each other since the 80s. Laughs and lessons are assured for the listeners. Thanks for tuning in.

On the 250th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith, Dave Anderson, and Ivan Ozerets share more technical input for those running summer tennis camps. The content will also serve as an intro for first-time listeners and a refresher for those long-time followers.

On the 249th episode of the GreatBase tennis podcast, Steve Smith, Ivan Ozerets, and Dave Anderson share information, ideas, and insights directed to those involved with summer tennis camps. Their discussion certainly applies to anyone and everyone connected to tennis instruction. The main focus of this session is ground strokes. With confidence, we are sure that our listeners will find a golden nugget or two within this episode to add to their tennis teaching treasure chest. Thanks for liste...

On the 248th episode of the GreatBase Tennis Podcast, Steve Smith, Ivan Ozerets, and Dave Anderson discuss technical information for teaching stroke production. Today's segment is one of three that were produced with the idea of helping summer tennis camp directors and their staff.

On the 247th episode of the GreatBase Tennis Podcast, Steve Smith, Ivan Ozerets, and Dave Anderson discuss summer tennis camps. Their conversation coincides with their efforts to produce an instructional tape for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). Almost all college coaches direct summer tennis camps. (The tape will soon be shared on the GreatBase Tennis Facebook page) The next few episodes will review input for teaching volleys, groundstrokes, overheads, and serves. Our listeners ...