Control the Controllables

Control the Controllables

Hosted by the Director of SotoTennis Academy, Dan Kiernan, the Control the Controllables podcast aims to entertain, educate and energise the tennis community, and bring valuable insight from all lenses of the sport to our listeners.

In our weekly episodes, Dan picks the brains of current and former professional tennis players, coaches, parents, and others involved in this game that we love.

We were voted ´Best Tennis Podcast´ of 2021, 2022 and 2023 by the Sports Podcast Awards!

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Recent Episodes

Zach Svajda: The Tennis Myth Buster
287
June 22, 2026

Zach Svajda: The Tennis Myth Buster

This week Dan is joined by ATP pro Zach Svajda, fresh off a stunning run to the last 16 of Roland Garros 2026. There he beat the heat, the occasion and a host of higher ranked players before falling to eventual finalist Flavio Cobolli in a fourth set tie break. Currently ranked 69 in the world with a career high of 62, Zach is 23 and only just getting started. This is a genuinely special and emotional conversation. Zach opens up about the unconventional path that got him to top level tennis, fro
French Open 2026 Review
286
June 8, 2026

French Open 2026 Review

Our Roland Garros 2026 Review Show is here! What a fortnight in Paris it´s been, with two new Grand Slam Champions in Sascha Zverev & Mirra Andreeva. Host Dan Kiernan is joined by Denmark Davis Cup Captain Freddie Nielsen and GB doubles coach Calvin Betton to look back on a quite extraordinary French Open. Calvin joins us fresh from coaching Henry Patten and Harri Heliövaara to their third Grand Slam final and their first ever world number one ranking in men's doubles, so there is plenty to get
French Open Week 1 Chaos Round Up!
285
June 1, 2026

French Open Week 1 Chaos Round Up!

Our CTC Live series continues from Roland Garros 2026! Host Dan Kiernan is joined by broadcaster Candy Reid and performance analyst Mike James to round up an extraordinary first week at the French Open. From Fonseca's stunning comeback against Djokovic to Sinner's shock exit in the heat, the drama has been non-stop. Dan also gives us a first-hand account of being at the tournament with his players, including a brilliant moment with Landaluce after his 5hr 58 minute epic. This is the place to go
French Open Live
284
May 29, 2026

French Open Live

Listen to Dan and guest Freddie Nielsen chat through all the action from Day 4 & 5 at Roland Garros, including the shock departure of Jannik Sinner. They analyse what went wrong for Sinner, key upcoming matches, and who they think could now lift the trophy. Key Topics Yannick Sinner's unexpected exit and the implications for men's singles With the men´s draw wide open, anyone from Felix to Zverev or Cerundolo could take the title Heat, mental fatigue, and injuries are influencing player performa
French Open Live Breakdown! Talking about the 1st few days of action in Paris. W/ Calvin Betton.
283
May 27, 2026

French Open Live Breakdown! Talking about the 1st few days of action in Paris. W/ Calvin Betton.

Our CTC Live series is back for Roland Garros 2026, bringing you first-hand updates from the courts of Paris! Sponsored by Novellus Finance: https://novellusfinance.com/uk/ In this episode, Dan is joined by Calvin Betton, a 2 time Grand Slam-winning coach, live from the tournament, to break down the action from the first three days. They cover the extraordinary heat gripping Paris, the big seeds falling, integrity questions around the doubles draw, and some brilliant stories from inside the lock
French Open 2026 Preview
283
May 23, 2026

French Open 2026 Preview

We're back for Roland Garros 2026! Host Dan Kiernan is joined by our Grand Slam panellists, two of them live from Paris during qualifying week, to preview all the action we can expect from the clay courts over the next fortnight. They discuss the Carlos Alcaraz injury situation and the wider player burnout debate, the future of US college tennis, and the prize money controversy making headlines at this year's tournament. Plus dark horses across both draws, key storylines to watch, and their winn

About the Host

Daniel Kiernan Profile Photo
Daniel Kiernan

Show Host

As well as the host of the Control the Controllables Podcast, Dan Kiernan is a WTA/ATP doubles coach, Director of SotoTennis Academy in Spain, and Dad of three.

Dan has more than 20 years of coaching experience through all levels of the game. He currently coaches top 10 WTA ranked doubles players Gabriela Dabrowski & Erin Routliffe, guiding them to two US Open doubles titles, and the WTA Tour Finals title in 2024. He has also previously worked with Lloyd Glasspool, Harri Heliövaara, Mike Venus, Nikola Mektić, Evan Hoyt, and multiple top ITF juniors.

Originally from Consett in Co Durham, England, Dan was captain of Louisiana State University Men´s team before turning pro. He achieved a career-high doubles ranking of No. 150 (British No. 1), and competed at Wimbledon in 2004 and 2005.

In 2010, Dan and his wife Victoria founded SotoTennis Academy in Sotogrande, Spain. A boutique performance academy, STA provides personalised training programmes in a supportive and nurturing team environment, using tennis as a vehicle for success both on and off the court.

Alongside his coaching and podcasting, Dan has shared his insights at coaching conferences and provided commentary for the BBC, bringing his experience and passion for the game to a wider audience.

When he´s not on court or interviewing big names in the tennis world, Dan can be found watching his beloved Newcastle United or running around after his 3 children!

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