Control the Controllables

The 2023 Australian Open saw Aryna Sabalenka winning her first Grand Slam, and Novak Djokovic equalling Rafael Nadal´s record of 22 Grand Slam titles.But it will be hard to look back on this year´s event without thinking of Sir Andy Murray´s incredible run in Week 1.Our panel of experts are back to chat to CTC Host Dan Kiernan about all the action in Melbourne...Top tennis commentator and former pro Robbie Koenig gives us an inside look from his two weeks at Melbourne Park.Denmark´s Davis Cup Captain and 2012 Wimbledon Mens Doubles Champion Freddie Nielsen.Kieron Vorster is Liam Broady´s S&C Coach, and has also worked with Tim Henman and Wayne Ferreira.GB´s Emily Webley-Smith who has been on the women´s tour for more than 20 years.And listen out for a cameo appearance from Andy Murray´s coach, Mark Hilton! He shares the view of Team Murray after Andy won all our hearts again with his superhuman 5-set battles in Australia.A jam-packed, brilliant episode. Enjoy! Read the full shownotes.We´re hiring!The Control the Controllables team is offering one lucky university student the chance to spend their placement year working on the show out here in Spain.Find out more about the role which starts in Sepemebter 2023, here. Or you an email us at ctc.podcast@sototennis.com.

WTA player Tamara Zidansek jumped onto our screens during the 2021 French Open, when as an unseeded player she made it through to the semi-finals at Roland Garros.Since then, the Slovenian has reached a career high of 22 WTA and this week lost in a 3 set battle to World Number 2 Ons Jabeur at the Australian Open.CTC host Dan Kiernan caught up with Tamara just before she started pre-season training last month to chat about her tennis career so far including..How she thinks she deals with losses too well. Dealing with the emotions of playing in a Grand Slam compared to other tournaments.How she didn´t play on a hard court until she was 15-years-old.The impact periods have on womens tennis and her thoughts on Wimbledon allowing women to wear dark underwear from 2023.And so much more. Another episode not to be missed!Read more in the shownotes.Want to join the Control the Controllables Team?Starting in September 2023, we´re offering a university student the chance to spend their placement year working on the Control the Controllables Podcast here in Spain.Find out more about the role and how to apply here. Or you an email the team at ctc.podcast@sototennis.com.

We´re just a few hours away now from the first Grand Slam of the year! We´ve been studying the draws and have brought our panel back together for today´s episode to preview the 2023 Australian Open.Joining Control the Controllables host Dan Kiernan to discuss the "popcorn-ready" match-ups, the dark horses to look out for and their picks for the titles are:-Denmark´s Davis Cup Captain and 2012 Wimbledon Mens Doubles Champion Freddie Nielsen.Kieron Vorster is Liam Broady´s S&C Coach, and has also worked with Tim Henman and Wayne Ferreira. GB´s Emily Webley-Smith who has been on the women´s tour for more than 20 years. We want to hear who you think will be this years Australian Open Champions!  Tag @ctc.podcast on Instagram or email us and let us know who you´re backing!Read full show notes here.Links & Resources:DM us on InstagramFind out more about the show and our guests on the Control the Controllables websiteSotoTennis Academy websiteAustralian Open website

12 months ago, GB´s Henry Patten and Julian Cash were two of many pro players travelling the world on a shoe-string budget, dreaming of competing at the big events. With rankings outside of the worlds top 600, Grand Slams seemed a long way away.Fast forward to December 2022, and Patten & Cash had the most successful year on the ATP Challenger Tour.. ever! And they only played their first event together in June.With a winning streak that saw the pair win 14 trophies including 10 ATP Challenger titles, they have moved into the top 70 in the mens doubles rankings. It means the pair start 2023 with their first direct entry into a Grand Slam in Melbourne next week.In today´s episode, Henry and Julian talk through their amazing year. How did they do it? They also chat about:-The trials and tribulations of being a tennis playerThe feeling of going from event to event winning!Being away from home for 4 months without friends, family or coaches.What´s next for the pair?A must-listen to hear a real life Roy of the Rovers tennis story.Connect with us:-Control the Controllables: Website | Instagram | EmailFollow Henry Patten on Instagram Follow Julian Cash on Instagram

If you watch a lot of tennis, then you´ll be familiar with the voice of today´s guest. You may have even caught one of his legendary one-liners!Robbie Koenig is a former tennis player from South Africa who is now one of the leading commentators in the sport. Robbie won 5 doubles titles during his pro career, before turning his hand to coaching, then broadcasting. It´s not often we get to hear the views of someone with such experience in so many roles within the sport. Robbie comes from the angle of former player, coach, tennis parent and top level commentary. This unique blend gives us rare insights that you do not want to miss! Enjoy!ConnectControl the Controllables: Website | Instagram | EmailFollow Robbie Koenig on Twitter Check out SotoTennis Academy

It´s been quite the year for Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliövaara.The GB/Finnish pair began 2022 playing the Challenger circuit, and ended it at the ATP Finals in Turin as the 5th best men´s doubles team in the world.Since January, they´ve won an ATP Title in Hamburg, reached another 6 ATP Finals, and 2 Grand Slam Quarter-finals. It´s seen Lloyd and Harri hit career high rankings of 12 and 11 in the world respectively.We speak to them fresh off the back of their run to the semi-finals of the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy to find out more about their breakthrough year, and why they work together so well.Links Mentioned in this EpisodeLearn more about Lloyd Glasspool in Episode 88Listen to Louis Cayer on Control the ControllablesDonate to Dan´s Movember Fundraiser for Men´s HealthControl the Controllables: Website | Instagram | EmailSotoTennis Academy 

In today´s episode we´re talking tennis and football with journalist Henry Winter.Henry is currently the Chief Football Writer for the Times. He´s written several books during his career and makes regular appearances as a pundit on TV and radio.Henry chats to us about equality in sport, and the coverage of women´s sports in the media. He gives us his thoughts on the impact of social media on journalism over the past 15 years and why he thinks sport teaches us about life. There´s also some great stories from his 35 years of writing about football, including seeing the competitive side of Tim Henman in a friendly match!Links Mentioned in this Episode:-Episode 108: Holger Rune - No DoubtEpisode 84: Lloyd Glasspool - I did it my way!ConnectControl the Controllables: Website | Instagram | EmailFollow Henry Winter on Twitter SotoTennis Academy: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

In today´s episode we speak to the tennis queen of tik tok, Daria Saville!Daria is currently recovering from surgery after tearing her ACL during a match against Naomi Osaka at the Pan Pacific Open last month. A former world junior number 1, Daria won the US Open Girls title in 2010, before reaching a career high of 20 in the WTA rankings in 2017.This is her third major injury in the last few years, and in today´s episode Daria opens up about how she stays positive during months of rehab. She also talks to CTC host Dan Kiernan about being diagnosed with ADHD in her 20´s.Originally from Russia, Daria chats about her move to Australia, the pressure she puts on herself at Grand Slams and what inspires her tik tok posts that now have almost 40 million likes!Refreshingly open and entertaining, if you want to hear an honest account of what life is really like on the WTA Tour, this episode is for you!ConnectControl the Controllables: Website | Instagram | EmailFollow Daria on TikTok and Instagram SotoTennis Academy 

Eric Butorac is the Director Professional of of tennis operations and player relations at the USTA.A former American top 20 doubles player, Eric won 18 ATP doubles titles during his career and reached the final of the Australian Open in 2014. He was half of the famous Stretch and Booty doubles partnership with Jamie Murray. Since retiring from pro tennis, Butorac has also served as assistant tournament director of the combined ATP and WTA 1000-level US Open Series event.In today´s episode he chats to Control the Controllables host Dan Kiernan about his US College and pro tennis career, life after tennis, and much more...Episode Highlights:-What it was like to be part of Serena´s final US Open.Eric describes the influence a Control the Controllables mindset has had on his tennis career.Why he decided to leave a Division 1 US college team to go to a Division III college.His belief in a multi-sport approach to developing athletes.Why we need to encourage children to develop a love for the game rather than focusing on winning.This is a great episode for parents of young tennis players, enjoy!Links Mentioned in Episode:-Follow Eric Butorac on Twitter: @ebutorac#62: Valorie Kondos Field - Winning doesn’t always equal successConnect with the Control the Controllables Podcast: Website | Instagram | EmailSotoTennis Academy: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

In today´s episode we speak to GB´s Ryan Peniston.Ryan has had his breakthrough year on the ATP Tour reaching a career high of 123, with wins over top 50 players Casper Rudd, Holger Rune and Francisco Cerundolo. He had an amazing run during the grass court season reaching the quarter-finals at Nottingham, Queen's and Eastbourne, and the 2nd round of Wimbledon on his debut at SW19.Ryan was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 1, spending months in hospital undergoing surgery and chemotherapy. He tells us about how this has shaped the person he is today, and talks us through his career and goals for the next year. Ryan´s story is a great example of perseverance and hard work, a great listen for young players!Today is also International Podcast Day and we want to take this opportunity to thank you for listening to the show. We love making this podcast and we hope you´re enjoying it and learning as much from it as we are! We would love to know who your favourite guests have been, or who you would like to hear from next! Email us at ctc.podcast@sototennis.com or reach out to us on Instagram!Links Mentioned in this Episode:-Control the Controllables: Website | Instagram | EmailSotoTennis Academy: Website | Instagram | Facebook | TwitterEpisode 175: Roger Federer Retirement Special