The GreatBase Tennis Podcast

Jeff Lewis recently spent a week with Steve Smith at the Wintergreen Resort in Wintergreen, Virginia. The two, who have known each other for thirty years, recorded two conversations for the listeners of the GreatBase Tennis podcast.To make an understatement, Jeff knows tennis. He was introduced to a wealth of tennis information as a teenager and through decades of deep thought and diversified experiences is now easily one of the best tennis teachers in the US. Please connect with ...

On the 212th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith has a conversation with Richard Bodian.In 1981, Steve designed and directed (Tennis Tech) the first comprehensive curriculum and college degree program for students seeking occupational competency as tennis-teaching pro-managers. Richard enrolled, graduated, and entered the tennis industry with an education that only a small percentage of the worldwide tennis community truly understands.In addition to working at various tennis ...

On the 211th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith has a conversation with Mike Valentine and Mike McLaughlin. The three old men all worked for the late Vic Braden. Mike and Mike recently made the journey to the Wintergreen Resort in Wintergreen, Virginia to observe and contribute to Steve's students. They left assured that Steve and his students are still honoring the work of the late Vic Braden. The trio reminisce and reflect upon the genius of Braden. By listening,...

The life story of Arnaud Guillemard is definitely different. Be ready to go from island living to Paris, college tennis to the oil fields, education to being a young parent, and directing junior and high school tennis tournaments.Arnaud is Steve Smith's guest on the 210th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast. Ironically 210 is the area code of San Antonio, Texas, the place where Arnaud resides with his wife and two children. By listening one will collect more golden nuggets for their ...

Melanie Zampardo is Steve Smith's guest on the 209th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast. She spent nine weeks this summer, 2024, serving as an intern. She survived. Decades ago, Steve was told by an experienced tennis-lifer that if one could complete the challenges of a 24/7 boarding tennis camp that he or she would have proven that they could successfully make their way within the tennis industry.By listening to the episode at hand, one will discover more of an insider's unde...

On the 208th podcast, Steve Smith has a conversation with Spencer Johnson. The two have known each other for just over 10 years. Spencer is now 21 and last year, while playing for UCLA, he was named the PAC 12 Freshman of the Year.Most GreatBase students are trying to get to college tennis. Spencer, like many college players, now hopes to get to the level where he is playing for a living. By listening one will discover he still is working on the same basics he was taught on his first day unde...

On the 207th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast Steve Smith and Ivan Ozerets host Scott Perelmen. Their guest recently joined the men's coaching staff at TCU. He brings a ton of experience and a ton of wisdom to the table.Scott and Steve worked together over forty years ago. They were staff members at the famous Vic Braden Tennis College headquartered at Coto de Caza in Southern California.Building a winning college program from scratch to being part of a national championship team to wa...

On the 206th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith and Ivan Ozerets host Matt Knoll. Matt built a championship culture at Baylor University that was highlighted by winning the 2004 NCAA team championship.Listeners will discover his formula for success. Common sense, grit, and hard work ruled the day. Every parent, player and coach will benefit from the pearls of wisdom and golden nuggets he shares. Today Matt helps student-athletes with college placement. Get in contact by...

On that 205th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Dave Anderson joins Steve Smith and Ivan Ozerets to talk tennis. They shared thoughts that mostly pertained to the 2024 Wimbledon.Dave has been based at the Brookhaven Country Club in Dallas for more than 30 years. To make an understatement, Dave and his staff have made a major impact on the lives of hundreds and hundreds of tennis players. We would like to thank Dave for being a regular guest on our podcast. Our supporte...

On the 204th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast Cris Valverde, a teaching pro from Portland, Oregon, asks Steve Smith questions. Cris recently spent a week with Steve at the Wintergreen Resort in Wintergreen, Virginia. He traveled across the US with his two sons for an immersion camp.To make an understatement, Cris's passion for our sport is second to none. Cris's dedication to improving his craft is truly inspirational. Cris has completed an in-depth study of our curriculum and asked St...

On the 203rd episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith, Ivan Ozerets and Andres Barbosa talk about tennis from the service line in. The whys and why-nots of going forward in singles and doubles are discussed. The statement that one only goes to the net to pick up balls and shake hands used to only apply to little kids at the grass root level. Now the statement applies to all levels of play. The disappearance of wooden racquets, the players not wearing spikes on the grass ...

Sir Hamlin is our guest on episode 202.Our podcast's fact checker, Andres Barbosa, and several others requested another opportunity to listen to Mark Hamlin. Great choice! Steve Smith and Mark have known each other for 60 years this year. Mark, 71, worked directly with Vic Braden and has spent the last 45 years applying fact-based instruction to literally hundreds and hundreds of recreational players. Along the way, the American has also developed national junior champions in Germany.By ...

Tribute to Jim Poling1949-2024Our condolences to Jim's wife, Marianne, and their children, Matthew, Lilian, and Karl. Our thoughts also go out to their family members and their close friends.On the 201st episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith discusses his connection with Jim.

On the 200th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith talks with Adam Borr. Steve's guest has a lifetime in tennis. His family built an indoor tennis club when he was just 5 years old. He played junior, high school, and college tennis. The family of his first wife also owned a tennis club. Along with his wife, he raised three daughters. One child became a nationally-ranked junior and played for a Power Five conference.To make an understatement, Adam has been surrounded by all face...

On the 199th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith and Ivan Ozerets have a tennis conversation with Miron Mann. He had a successful career as both a junior and college tennis player. He also has had a great deal of success as a coach. Miron currently leads one of the best junior development programs in Canada.Steve and Miron collectively have 80 years of diversified experience with learning, teaching and coaching tennis. Although, the highlight of this episode is listenin...

On the 198th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith and Ivan Ozerets have a tennis conversation with Jackson Bowen. Their guest has been instrumental in the development of TennisBloc, a company that has over 100 instructors who operate at over 100 facilities.Jackson's passion quotient for the growth and welfare of tennis is sky-high. To make an understatement, the vision and mission of TennisBloc needs to be adopted and implemented throughout the world. Jackson and his ass...

On the 197th episode of the GreatBase podcast, Steve Smith speaks with Nomena Raharinosy. To make an understatement, her tennis story is well worth listening to. Her journey with our sport covers three continents. (Africa, Europe, North America)She started in a humble, low-key, no-hype tennis environment in her native Madagascar. From there, she was fortunate to spend several of her formative years in Paris, France. Her next adventure was spending the last two years of her high school days at...

On the 196th episode of the GreatBase Tennis, Steve Smith and Ivan Ozerets talk tennis with Greg Moran. Their guest is a veteran tennis teaching professional, an award-winning writer, and a longtime club owner.Greg's third book, "The Truth About Tennis", was recently released. Like his long career, his latest book is complete. The read will certainly help further educate anyone and everyone connected to the great game of tennis.Our listeners will be inspired by Greg's passion and commitment t...

On the 195th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith has a tennis discussion with Ainsley Catalano. His guest makes his living as an analyst in commercial real estate. Ainsley also has tennis experience as a player, teacher, and parent. Topping off his A to Z connection to our game, he owns his own red clay court.Steve and Ainsley touch upon many topics related to tennis. One being, the financial challenges facing the future of tennis. Solutions are suggested and, hopefully, some...

On the 194th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith and Ivan Ozerets talk tennis with Dave Anderson. Dave, a frequent guest, is a veteran coach with an outstanding track record. He has worked at the Brookhaven Country Club in Dallas for over 30 years. Their discussion is the fourth of four Dave's Do's & Don'ts. The first three lists were centered on parents, players and coaches. The last focus on the work of tennis administrators.Owners, operators, and directors s...