Control the Controllables

In this week´s episode we get to know up-and-coming British player Sonay Kartal.Sonay, 20, has had an impressive 2021. After coming back from injury earlier in the year, she won the UK Pro League Masters event. She also won her first two ITF Pro Circuit titles, breaking into the top 900 for the first time. You may have seen Sonay recently in a clip that went viral on social media.  The video is an epic point against US Open Champion Emma Raducanu in an orange ball match when they were both just 9-year-olds. Sonay talks about this and more in a fascinating episode. Episode Highlights include:-How the UK Pro League has helped Sonay.Why she doesn´t pay attention to rankings.How having to take ownership of her tennis from a young age has helped her.Why she chose against the US College route.Why she believes losing is important.Links Mentioned in this EpisodeEpisode 143: Keith Reynolds - Are we selling the game of tennis the right way?Episode 26: Dan Evans - Skills pay the billsUK Pro League

Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna has achieved so much in his playing career. A Grand Slam champion, he has also reached multiple Grand Slam finals, and reached number 3 in the world in doubles.On top of this, he is already looking ahead to help the next generation of Indian tennis players through the Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy in Bangalore.He balances this with his own coffee brand, Maverick & Farmer.Rohan is a delightful man, with messages that are important to be heard. He is a big supporter of the PTPA and what could happen if they are able to push their voice through.He discusses all of this and more in another must listen episode!Links mentioned in this Episode:-Rohan Bopanna Tennis AcademySotoTennis AcademyMaverick & Farmer CoffeeEpisode 143: Keith Reynolds - Are we selling the game of tennis the right way?ConnectFollow Rohan on Twitter: @rohanbopannaFollow Rohan on Instagram: @rohanbopanna0403Follow SotoTennis Academy on Instagram: @sototennis

Keith Reynolds is a tennis coach who has experienced the sport at all levels. He is the co-owner and founder of The Watchorn Tennis Club in Derbyshire which has produced 29 National Champions. He´s also coached many top international and national players, including GB Davis Cup player Jamie Baker.  A strong sportsman himself, Keith played tennis to international level as a junior and reached a career high ITF ranking of 491. He was also the +35 GB National Champion. Keith is well known for developing coaches and coach education, and is the author of The Tennis Coach’s Toolkit. In 2015, he won the LTA´s Aegon Lifetime Achievement Award.  In this episode, Keith and CTC host Dan Kiernan discuss... Are we selling tennis correctly? Why tennis as a sport needs to appeal to wider communities. His belief that tennis makes us better equipped for what life throws at us. The importance of understanding the realities of tennis. Connect Follow Keith on Twitter: @tennistoolkit Follow Control the Controllables on Instagam: @ctc.podcast Don´t miss an episode of Control the Controllables!  Head to our website to choose an episode to listen to next and read more on our guests!

Francesca Jones is a British tennis player who is currently ranked 153 in the world.Originally from Bradford, the 21-year-old moved to Spain at age 10 to train at the Sanchez Casal Tennis Academy. She reached number 31 in the junior world rankings, before qualifying for her first Grand Slam at the Australian Open in January.Francesca was born with Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia (EED) syndrome, which is a rare genetic condition that has required her to have more than 10 surgeries. She is missing a finger on each hand and 3 toes, something which doctors told her parents would prevent her from playing tennis. Instead, she has risen up the rankings and played at all 4 Grand Slams this year.In today´s episode, CTC Host Dan Kiernan chats to Francesca about:Her unusual introduction to tennis.Her reflections on her achievements in 2021.How her physical differences affect her training and how she´s overcome them.The influence training at Spanish Academies has had on her tennis game. The expectations she put on herself after qualifying for the 2021 Australian Open.Why she took the decision to end her season in September.Let us know your thoughts on this episode! Email us at ctc.podcast@sototennis.com or you can find us on instagram, @ctc.podcast

Lucie Ahl is a former British number 1 and WTA 161 singles player. She competed numerous times at Grand Slams and has a 100% record at the Fed Cup representing Great Britain.Life after playing tennis professionally has taken Lucie into coaching, as a travelling coach with Laura Robson, Jodie Burrage and many more. She has had a successful coaching career working with top British juniors and senior players, both male and female. She´s also now a member of the LTA Coach Education Team, helping develop the next generation of GB coaches. Lucie´s voice can be frequently heard on TV and Radio as a commentator for Amazon Prime, Tennis TV, Eurosport and Wimbledon Radio.In today´s episode, listen to Lucie Ahl chat to CTC Host Dan Kiernan about:-Her journey from average junior to British number one.Her reflections on the highs and lows of her pro career.The challenges of being a female coach in a male dominant industry.The challenges she set herself away from the court, including Ironman targets.British Tennis Coaches and the shortage of career pathways.Her favourite tennis moments she has commentated on.Links Mentioned in this episode:-Episode 87: Jodie Burrage - On the RiseEpisode 63: Heather Watson - WTA Tour LifeEpisode 14: John Hicks - A British Coaching LegendSotoTennis AcademyLTA Coach Development & Education

Rajeev Ram is a multiple Grand Slam Champion and the current World number 4 mens doubles player.The 37-year-old American has won the Australian Open mixed doubles twice with Barbora Krejčíková. He´s reached 3 Grand Slam mens doubles finals with GB´s Joe Salisbury, winning the 2020 Australian Open and 2021 US Open titles.Rajeev was a successful junior, and reached a career high of 56 in the world in singles in 2016, before deciding to focus on doubles.Rajeev has reached the final of 40 ATP doubles events during his career, and next month will make his Davis Cup debut for the USA.In this episode, listen to Rajeev Ram talk to CTC Host Dan Kiernan about:-How tennis started for him as a fun Father/Son activity.His decision to go to US College and winning a NCAA Championship.Why he regrets leaving the University of Illinois after just 1 season.How going back to playing his own game style helped him break into the top 100.Coping with the losses and how he still enjoys learning and improving from them.His successful partnership with GB´s Joe Salisbury.Do they plan on playing together in 2022?

Jimmy Arias is a former world number 5.At the age of 15, he became the youngest person to achieve a world ranking, and went onto win 5 ATP singles titles and the 1981 French Open Mixed Doubles.During his career he has had wins over Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Boris Becker, Jim Courier, Mats Wilander, Pat Cash and Goran Ivanisevic. Jimmy Arias´name is synonymous with the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, now known as the IMG Academy. He was one of the original students at the academy in 1978, and in 2018 he became Director of Tennis. He has been a commentator for ESPN and the Tennis Channel, and as you will find out in this episode, he is a great storyteller!Episode Highlights include:-How his relationship with his father shaped his tennis career.How the famous Arias forehand came about.Why he made the decision to work with Nick BollettieriHis time as an ¨original¨ at the IMG Academy.His inner belief from a young age.How he changed his game after being diagnosed with Mono.Find out which tennis legends he found the most difficult to play!What frustrates him about the current game, and what has changed since his era.An entertaining episode, enjoy!Connect with Jimmy Arias:-Twitter: @ariastennisInstragram: @jimmyariastennisWebsite: www.jimmyarias.com

Fernando Segal is a world-leading coach, tennis development expert and an influential figure in the tennis world.From Argentina, Fernando has more than 40 years experience in coaching. During that time he´s written 11 books, and directed development programs for National Tennis Federations in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, New Zealand, and others.From these, junior players have been developed who have won 16 Junior Grand Slams, Top 10 ATP / WTA and multiple Top 100 players including  David Nalbandian, Paula Ormaechea, Guillermo Coria and Cara Black.His goal is to professionalise the tennis industry and between 27th-30th October 2021 his organisation Segal Institute, is hosting the first international virtual tennis event.TBD Innovation Week will bring together and give everyone involved in tennis the opportunity to connect and learn from more than 80 speakers at the online event.  Dr Jim Loehr, Allistair McCaw, Janko Tipsarovic, and our own CTC Host Dan Kiernan are among the line-up, with topics like uniting tennis through technology, the future of college tennis, and female player development and communication and more!In this episode, Fernando Segal chats to CTC Host Dan Kiernan about:-Why he believes we should all know more about the history of our sport.Why he always knew coaching would be his calling.Why he wants to professionalise the tennis industry.His goal for everyone in tennis to work together to promote the sport.The role of Federations and coaches in promoting tennis.His belief that there´s too much emphasis on high performance, and not enough on grass roots tennis.Read more on Fernando SegalSign up to TBD Innovation Week!

Ben Haran is one of the leading tennis coaches in Great Britain.He is the Head Coach at Reeds Tennis Academy in Surrey, where for the past 17 years he´s guided dozens of young players to national and international level.A former player himself, Ben left home at 10-year-old to join the Slater Squad, based at Reeds School. There, he grew up training with fellow Brits Tim Henman & Jamie Delgado.Ben has recently worked with James Ward & Dan Evans and was mentored by legendary Australian coach Bob Brett.Listen to Ben chat to CTC Host Dan Kiernan about:-The importance of learning your trade in coaching.How he found leaving home at 10 to join the Slater Squad.Why Tim Henman was the most successful player from the squad?How Bob Brett became his mentor (this is a great story!) and the impact he has had on his career.Why he thinks it´s so beneficial for coaches to have a mentor.Control the Controllables on Instagram: @ctc.podcast

Matt Little is one of the world´s most renowned S&C Coaches.He´s worked with Andy Murray for the past 14 years, through the highs and lows of 3 Grand Slam titles, 2 Olympic gold medals, a Davis Cup win and career-threatening injuries. Matt was by Murray´s side through two hip surgeries, his gruelling recovery and inspiring return to tennis.He´s just released a new book, The Way of the Tortoise: Why You Have to Take the Slow Lane to Get Ahead.In today´s episode, Matt chats to CTC Host Dan Kiernan about working with Andy, his career in S&C, and gives some fascinating insight into :-His journey from young tennis player to coaching a World Number 1.How he prepares himself to watch Murray´s matches.How his role in Andy Murray´s team has developed through the years.What working with Murray in 2016 was really like!The impact Murray´s hip injuries had on the team, and how rewarding his return to tennis has been.The importance of soft skills in coaching.Why he recommends young tennis & S&C coaches find their own niche in tennis.The inspiration for his new book The Way of the Tortoise.What´s next for S&C in tennis.Episode ShowNotesControl the Controllables on Instagram: @ctc.podcastSotoTennis Academy on Instagram: @sototennis