The further I’ve gone on this tennis parenting journey, the more I’ve come to believe there are an awful lot of opportunities to make the junior tennis development system in the UK a whole load better.

And for that reason, I’m really interested in people who are prepared to do things differently when it comes to junior tennis development.

Which is why I so enjoyed speaking to today’s guest. He’s not just thinking about a different approach, he’s making a different approach happen…

Junior tennis players spend countless hours working on their technique, tactics and physical conditioning — but how much time do they spend training the mental side of the game? In this episode, former junior Venezuelan No.1 and D1 college player Nicole Discenza explains why mental strength matters so much and how parents can help their players develop it.

Today’s episode is a belter for two reasons! Firstly, because our guest, Abbie Breakwell, has already had an amazing tennis journey although she’s only 23 years old! Abbie is one of the UK’s leading wheelchair tennis players who competed for Team GB in the 2024 Paralympic Games.

The second reason is it a belter is because this episode is hosted by a special guest called Charlie. Charlie is 15 years old and was one of the very first pupils I coached when I became a full time coach. Charlie has always had a flair on the court and as you’ll hear he also has a flair for interviewing!

Sports parents - how are you finding the journey? Rewarding? Stressful? Exciting? Anxiety inducing? Any of those? All of those! Either way, I honestly believe that today’s episode will help you. Help you with the approach you take as a sports parent! Today’s guest is Garry Linton, Garry is US based and is a leading voice in parenting and youth sports.

Make no mistake, County Tennis needs your support in 2026! I’ll explain why…

The LTA decided to make the 2025 Adult Winter County Cup the last ever staging of the event and in 2026 they will launch a review into county competitions - it is like to include Junior County Cups and Summer County Week. Find out how you can help!

When you think of the voice of tennis who do you think of? There are some great commentators / co-commentators out there from David Law to Annabel Croft but for me personally there is only one answer. I think of Russell Fuller.

When it comes to experiencing big tennis events and immersing myself in to them - my go to is not the TV it is most definitely the radio.

Russell Fuller is the BBC Tennis Correspondent and many of you will know his commentaries from Wimbledon and the other big tournaments.

Tennis journeys take all sorts of different pathways. All sorts of different destinations. They can’t all lead to Wimbledon glory. But so many to lead to incredible adventures. Russell’s journey to BBC Tennis Correspondent is a compelling one and I hope you’ll enjoy hearing about it as much as I did…

Today’s guests Dr. Amanda Stanec and Richard Way are on a mission to protect the joy children get from sport! After reading their book Protect The Joy and chatting with them on this episode it is a mission I am joining them on! And with as many as 70% of children quitting sport by the onset of adolescence, it’s a quest I hope you’ll support…

You’ll have seen products that come with government health warnings. Don’t do this or this might happen. My question is this, should the junior tennis journey come with a financial health warning? And I think the answer is YES! In this episode, you'll find out why...

Let me start with a confession - at times I’ve found being a tennis parent challenging! The trials and tribulations of the ‘performance’ tennis journey have surprised and at times shocked me.

So three experts coming together to create an online course that aims to help tennis parents navigate a positive path through the journey has to be a good thing!

That’s exactly what Dr Liya Jacobs (well coach and tennis parent), Chris Johnson (Level 5 Master Coach) and Ellie-Rose Griffiths (former GB jnr no.1) have done.

An online course called Winning Tennis Parents full of helpful information and tips to help parents help themselves and their players.

What’s it like to be the no.1 12U player in the World? To be the youngest player ever to be signed by the IMG management company. To win a full scholarship to one of the most famous tennis academies in the World.

Find out in this searingly honest interview with Todd Ley whose book Smashed is a highly recommended read for all tennis parents.

In this episode on why players, parents and coaches should absolutely think about what strings they put in their rackets, the Pro Tour stringer Huw Phillips who runs RacketSpec says:

‘You wouldn’t buy rubbish tyres and put it on a Formula 1 car. It’s the same with a tennis racket - it’s the strings that hit the ball’

Ladies and gentleman, over to Huw Phillips to tell you all you need to know about tennis strings and tennis restringing. Enjoy…

Welcome to the 100th episode of My Tennis Journey. And what an episode it is! In many ways, Conor Niland has had the ultimate tennis journey.

Conor has perhaps become best known for bringing the journey from junior to pro kicking and screaming to life in an absolutely brilliant book called The Racket. A book which became the first tennis book EVER to win the prestigious William Hill Sports Book of the Year. A book that is about the rollercoaster of tennis and the rollercoaster of life.

Over the past 20 years, Spanish Tennis has established itself as the World leader when it comes to producing world class players and establishing world class academies. It’s little wonder therefore that players and parents have headed to Spain to aid their players’ development at the host of amazing academies.

But what are the secrets of Spanish tennis and with powerhouses like France and Italy emerging, is Spain still as dominant as it once was and if not why not? In this episode we will find out from an absolute expert in the Spanish game! Enjoy…

Back in 2023, changes were made to LTA County Cup 11U-14U that undoubtedly had good intentions but have resulted in a competition that I just don’t think is as good as it used to be.

I set out to find out if County coaches and parents of players think the same way as I do or if they believe the changes are a good thing. Here are the results…

Do you ever read a book and love it so much that you go round telling people about it? Like everyone you meet. That’s exactly what happened with myself and Conor Niland’s book The Racket! From his experience as a junior on the tournament circuit (one I know a lot of tennis parents will recognise) to his days on a tennis scholarship in the US to the rollercoaster ride that is the Pro Tour, Conor’s book is a compelling read. If you are anything like me, you’ll finish it in a couple of sittings…

You might have heard of tennis coach Todd Larkham for a host of reasons. For example, it was Todd who spotted a young Nick Kyrgios and coached him through to the Pro Tour and beyond. Or maybe you know him through the ace Coachlife website.

After listening to this podcast, though, I believe you’ll know Todd for giving some of the BESTEST guidance EVER for parents and coaches of aspiring junior tennis players.

I think Junior County Cup (focusing in on 11U, 12U and 14U) can be improved as a result of a couple of flaws - and I’d love to know if you agree and what improvements you’d make to LTA Junior County Cup. For avoidance of doubt, this is research I’m undertaking. It’s not affiliated to the LTA although I will look to share the findings with the relevant parties at the LTA.

Sporting parents, coaches and players - today you’re in for a treat! Wayne Goldsmith is an international coaching expert from Australia who has influenced the thinking and teaching of some of the world’s leading athletes, coaching and teams. And his guidance for sporting parents is utterly compelling! As you’ll hear, Wayne gets it...

You know in life there are some people who are amazing at making things happen. Who are driven to get things done. And when it comes to tennis I think Fabio Molle - the man behind Functional Tennis - is absolutely one of them.

I loved chatting to Fabio, hearing about his journey, his tips for tennis parents and just how he makes so much happen on Functional Tennis. Enjoy…

Amazing adventures can be had by tennis players at American Universities! However, if you’re going to make it a great adventure rather than an OK or not so good adventure you’ve got to plan and prepare effectively. And that is where this episode comes in! Today’s guest, Marleyna Trifunovic, is in a unique position to tell you all about the US uni experience as she has just returned from three years at Wilmington University in Delaware…