Coaches Episodes

James Cluskey was top 150 ATP and represented Ireland in Davis Cup. He has used his tennis as a vehicle to attack the business world. He is Sir Richard Branson’s private’s tennis coach and he has leveraged this and more to move forward in the business world. A fascinating story and so many learnings for us all. Enjoy

Bruno and Juan both have extensive experience of being brought up through the ‘Spanish System’ as players and coaches. Yet both have had experience in the British Tennis world as players at Stirling University. Bruno is now a National Coach at the National Academy in Stirling, UK and Juan runs his own Academy in Sevilla, Spain. We explore the differences, positives, negatives of both tennis cultures including characters, tournament structure, climate and much more....

Barry Fulcher was an excellent tennis player who has turned his passion to not only coaching, but also to creating a competitive structure in the UK that allows players to compete, learn and earn. This passion has been solely driven by Barry and his own bank balance. It finally got the recognition the Progress Tour deserves as he ran the top ladies event in the UK last week which attracted all of the GBs top female players. This is only the start of his journey, as he continues to juggle his coa...

Michael Joyce had a very successful playing career with a career high of 64 ATP. Michael has gone on to coach some of the biggest stars in the women’s game including Victoria Azarenka, Genie Bouchard, Johanna Konta, Timea Babos and most notably Maria Sharapova. The American worked with Sharapova for 7 years, winning 3 Grand Slams together. In this episode of Control the Controllables, Michael gives us fascinating insights into his role as a coach, from contracts to training. It´s a must li...

Mark Bullock has dedicated his coaching career to making tennis inclusive to all. He spent many years at ITF working and developing wheelchair tennis globally including its presence at all 4 of the Grand Slams. Over the last few years he has turned his attention to visually impaired tennis and other sports where he continues to innovate and inspire. A great listen and so many lessons for us all to learn.

Matt has competed on and off on the ITF futures tour for the last 7-8 years whilst juggling a tennis coaching career to fund this. But then does he do either to the best of his ability? And what mental health difficulties does this bring? A common tennis story and so grateful that Matt has shared his thoughts and experience for many to learn from.

Joe Dixon was a SotoTennis Academy Coach for 6 years and continues to work at an International Player level. Joe has experienced depression and anxiety throughout his life and this came to a head when he tried to take his life in 2018. Joe has built his life back up and is now in a fantastic place with his mental health and has shown strength in sharing his story for you all the learn and draw from. It really is a must listen.

Fran is a tough coach in Wales working with top International Juniors. She discusses the potential challenges for coaches working with young elite players around expectation of time, commitment and from parents which can lead to mental health difficulties around work-life balance. A great listen

Former Irish National Coach Paul Casey talks from the heart about his ideas on how Irish Tennis can and should develop from his experiences as a player and as a coach for 40+ years. He talks about his support for former ITF President Dave Miley and how that may have been a big opportunity missed. Straight talking and open. A great listen

Martin Lee is one of a very select few British Male Players to reach the ‘Holy Grail’ of Top 100 ATP. Was it an easy journey there? Find out more....

James Trotman was a top 10 player in Europe from an early age, before winning multiple Junior Grand Slams. He was then struck down with a career ending illness. Not a one to dwell, he put his passion into his coaching and has become one of the UK’s finest. Working with many top 100 ATP players and representing both Tennis Australia and the LTA for the last 20 years where he currently oversees the players on the LTA Pro Scholarship Programme. A great story..

Judy Murray is a Scottish tennis coach and the Mum of global superstars Jamie and Andy Murray. A former player, she became Scottish National Coach in 1995. She was the GB Fed Cup Captain between 2011-2016, and in 2017 was awarded an OBE for services to tennis, women in sport and charity. Away from tennis, she´s also appeared on The Chase, Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Masterchef. In this episode Judy discusses her journey into tennis, her life as a coach and Mum to the boys, and t...

Dan moves to the other side of the microphone, as he chats with Graeme Foreman. Dan discusses the influence of his north east upbringing and how this led to his Control the Controllables philosophy out at SotoTennis Academy in Spain and much more...

‘Barkers’ as Ian is known in the tennis world talks us through how he got into tennis, to the amazing journey of taking Pat Cash from aged 11 to Wimbledon Champion. Ian discusses his time in the UK in depth, as he created a winning culture through his job at the LTA national centre at Bisham Abbey.

Ireland’s Davis Cup Captain and ATP 129 at his best, Conor talks through his journey from Edgbaston to Limerick to Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York playing against Novak Djokovic. We also dig into the details around Irish Tennis throughout the episode.

Calvin Betton has been a tennis coach for 20 years working at all levels. He has developed a passion for purposeful practice and skill acquisition and we attack both subjects with live examples from his career.

Euan has been head coach at Stirling University after years at US College as a player and also on the lower levels of the Pro Tour. His passion has helped bring GB Universities to the conversation of player development and we delve into this and more..

87 year old coach John Hicks talks about his tennis story. From the early days, to his favour Wrexham squad, the British players such as Tim Henman and Andy Murray who he helped shape, to what has kept his mind and body in such great shape!

Head Coach of the prestigious Queens Club in England Lee Childs discusses his tennis journey. From U18 European Champion to playing Rafa Nadal at Wimbledon. To the big question, why didn’t he become a top 100 ATP despite being touted for this in the tennis world?

From talented British junior, to a successful playing career before moving onto the ATP Tour as a coach, Mark Hilton has an amazing story. As well as helping GB´s Liam Broady reach World Junior number 2 in 2012, Mark has also coached Kyle Edmund and has coached Dan Evans three times over a 15 year period. Enjoy the show! Mark on Twitter: @markhilts