Bethanie Mattek-Sands , a current player and now broadcaster for ESPN’S tennis coverage in the United States has lived an incredible life in tennis.

As a child she grew up in Minnesota and then Wisconsin, and she played multiple sports.  As a junior tennis player, she was one of the best players in North America and chose to turn professional after winning a big tournament in France at the age of 13.  Bethanie Mattek-Sands  rose to 30 in the world and posted wins over players such as Elena Svitolina, Sara Errani, and Flavia Pennetta. 

On this episode Bethanie Mattek-Sands tells us her perspectives on the current tennis landscape.   She explains what it was like to turn pro at 14 years old.  And she’s going to tell us about her time when tennis had become unpleasant.  She explains how she became a better player at the age of 25 . She breaks down some of the adversity she faced when she injured her knee at Wimbledon and had to come back to the WTA TOUR.  Bethanie explained the inspiration for her tennis fashion line, and explained that she has ownership in a Mezcal company.

(Recorded March 25, 2020. Released April 1, 2020)

Related Episodes of UNDER REVIEW:

For other episodes of UNDER REVIEW , check out: Patrick Mouratoglou [Ep32]; Nick Bollettieri [Ep28]; Paul Annacone [Ep15]; Brad Gilbert [Ep01];

To hear more from current players on the pro tour check out  these episodes:

• Belinda Bencic [Ep42]
• Bianca Andreescu [Ep43]

To read CRAIG’S ARTICLE about the HUGGY BEAR, subscribe to RACQUET MAGAZINE.

To hear more Wimbledon stories on UNDER REVIEW, check out: TIM HENMAN [Ep10], ANDRE SA [Ep33].

UNDER REVIEW is a podcast in which tennis insiders share unique stories and insightful perspective. For more information, please contact [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL:

Check out The Malibu Racquet Club: https://www.maliburacquetclub.com/

KEYWORDS:

Wimbledon, England, Great Britain, Arizona, Safarova, Jamie Murray, Doubles, Grand Slam, Junior Tennis,Mezcal, Corona Virus, WTA, ATP,  Tennis

Greg Rusedski , former player, coach, and now broadcaster for Amazon Prime Video’s tennis coverage in the UK, has lived an incredible life in tennis.

As a child he grew up in Montreal, Quebec with a father that loved  tennis.  As a junior tennis player, he was one of the best players in North America and chose to turn professional instead of taking a scholarship to play at USC.  Greg Rusedski rose to 4 in the world and posted wins over players such as Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Gustavo Kuerten and Marat Safin. 

On this episode GREG RUSEDSKI  tells us his perspectives on the current British tennis landscape.   He explains what it was like to see the rise of Tim Henman.  And he’s going to tell us about his time coaching  Heather Watson.  He explains how he changed coaches after his best season . He breaks down some of the adversity he faced when he turned pro and wasn’t quite ready to be successful on the ATP TOUR.  Greg Rusedski explained what it was like to beat Pete Sampras at the Paris Masters.

(Recorded March 7, 2020. Released March 25, 2020)

Related Episodes of UNDER REVIEW:

hear from Greg’s former coach BRIAN TEACHER

For other episodes of UNDER REVIEW , check out: Patrick Mouratoglou [Ep32]; Nick Bollettieri [Ep28]; Paul Annacone [Ep15]; Brad Gilbert [Ep01];

To hear more from current players on the pro tour check out  these episodes:

• Belinda Bencic [Ep42]
• Bianca Andreescu [Ep43]

UNDER REVIEW is a podcast in which tennis insiders share unique stories and insightful perspective. For more information, please contact [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL:

Check out The Malibu Racquet Club: https://www.maliburacquetclub.com/

KEYWORDS:

Wimbledon, England, Great Britain, Canada, Tim Henman, AELTC, Andy Murray, Essex, Prime Video, Heather Watson,

Mark Petchey , one of the more insightful broadcasters on tour, has lived an incredible life in tennis.

As a child he grew up in Essex, England with a parents that were exceptional tennis players.  As a junior tennis player, he was one of the best players in Europe and chose to turn professional instead of taking a scholarship to play at USC.  Mark Petchey rose to 80 in the world and posted wins over players such as Michael Chang, Michael Stich, and Tommy Haas. 

On this episode MARK PETCHEY  tells us his perspectives on the current tennis landscape in light of the corona virus pandemic. He explains what it was like to see the rise of Tim Henman.  And he’s going to tell us about his time coaching  Andy Murray.  He explains how he thinks he should have played college tennis . He breaks down some of the adversity he faced when he turned pro and wasn’t quite ready to be successful on the ATP TOUR.  Mark Petchey explained what it was like to beat Michael Chang at the Los Angeles tournament played at UCLA.

(Recorded March 10, 2020. Released March 18, 2020)

Related Episodes of UNDER REVIEW:

For other episodes of UNDER REVIEW , check out: Patrick Mouratoglou [Ep32]; Nick Bollettieri [Ep28]; Paul Annacone [Ep15]; Brad Gilbert [Ep01];

To hear more from current players on the pro tour check out  these episodes:

• Belinda Bencic [Ep42]
• Bianca Andreescu [Ep43]

UNDER REVIEW is a podcast in which tennis insiders share unique stories and insightful perspective. For more information, please contact [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL:

check out The Malibu Racquet Club: https://www.maliburacquetclub.com/

KEYWORDS:

Wimbledon, England, Great Britain, Tim Henman, AELTC, Andy Murray, Essex, Prime Video, Pandemic, Corona Virus

Tennys Sandgren , one of the more insightful, incisive, and polarizing players on tour, has lived an incredible life in tennis.

As a child he grew up in Gallatin, Tennessee with a tennis court in his backyard.  As a junior tennis player, he was one of the best players in the United States but was not identified as a top prospect by the USTA.   After a standout career at the University of Tennessee, he struggled on the ATP Tour.  Coming up with players such as Noah Rubin, Tennys told us his story of perseverance.

On this episode TENNYS SANDGREN  tells us how he broke into the top hundred in 2017 . He breaks down some of the adversity he faced when he made his run to the 2018 Australian Open quarterfinals.   He describes what happened when his father died unexpectedly , and what it was like to grow up in a fundamental Christian household. TENNYS SANDGREN explained what it was like to beat Fabio Fognini and squander 7 match points against Roger Federer at the 2020 Australian Open.

(Recorded March 11, 2020. Released March 15, 2020)

Related Episodes of UNDER REVIEW:

For other episodes of UNDER REVIEW , check out: Patrick Mouratoglou [Ep32]; Nick Bollettieri [Ep28]; Paul Annacone [Ep15]; Brad Gilbert [Ep01];

To hear more from current players on the pro tour check out  these episodes:

• Belinda Bencic [Ep42]
• Bianca Andreescu [Ep43]

UNDER REVIEW is a podcast in which tennis insiders share unique stories and insightful perspective. For more information, please contact [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL:

check out The Malibu Racquet Club: https://www.maliburacquetclub.com/

KEYWORDS:

University of Tennessee, Tennessee Vols, Tennessee, Roger Federer, Australian Open, Corona Virus, Indian Wells, Oracle, Oracle Challenger Series

Wim Fissette , the coach of Naomi Osaka, has coached many of the top women on the WTA Tour in a short amount of time.

 He took up tennis at 8 years old when his mom began playing, and became a quality junior.  As a junior, he was one of the best players in Belgium but was not identified as elite.   After being invited to be the hitting partner for Kim Clijsters, he decided that coaching tennis would be his life.  Wim Fissette told us this action packed story of moving from hitting partner to becoming a premier coach on the WTA Tour.  He discussed many aspects of his coaching career and was extremely forthcoming and earnest.

 Wim Fissette told us how early in his career he was unsure if he was a good coach, or if he had just gotten lucky coaching Kim Clijsters.  From there he took a step back to develop his coaching skills, and then got a phone call that changed his career trajectory.  Wim Fissette  breaks down his time coaching Kim Clijsters, Vika Azarenka, Johanna Konta,  Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber.  Wim Fissette describes how tennis has become his lifelong work, and how he balances the travel with a wife and young children at home.

(Recorded March 1, 2020. Released March 11, 2020)

Related Episodes of UNDER REVIEW:

For other episodes of UNDER REVIEW featuring elite coaches , check out: Patrick Mouratoglou [Ep32]; Nick Bollettieri [Ep28]; Paul Annacone [Ep15]; Brad Gilbert [Ep01];

UNDER REVIEW is a podcast in which tennis insiders share unique stories and insightful perspective. For more information, please contact [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL:

To see more on Wim Fissette, see http://wimfissette.com/

And check out The Malibu Racquet Club: https://www.maliburacquetclub.com/

KEYWORDS:

Belgium, Kim Clijsters, Naomi Osaka, Angie Kerber, Simona Halep, Vika Azarenka, Johanna Konta, Tennis Coach, WTA, Wimbledon, US Open

Charlie Pasarell  grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico in the 50’s, and under the tutelage of the fabled teacher Welby Van Horn rose to tennis prominence in the United States.   He won the Orange Bowl and national championships in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

In the 60’s Charlie Pasarell  attended UCLA and forged a lifelong friendship with Arthur Ashe.  He also trained with Pancho Segura at The Beverly Hills Tennis Club, and rose to become the #1 player in the United States in 1967.

As a pro, Charlie Pasarell posted wins over Rod Laver, Roy Emerson,  Stan Smith, Manolo Santana and Adriano Panatta..  He  discussed what he thinks of the new generation, and told us what it was like to be a tennis star before open era tennis began.  He discussed  the controversial CEO machinations at the top of the ATP.  Charlie told us the story of how he created what is now The BNP Paribas Open,  which is now the 5th biggest tournament in the world.  Located in Indian Wells, California, the tournament was owned by Charlie Pasarell until he sold it to the head of Oracle, Larry Ellison.  Many refer to the tournament as the fifth Grand Slam.

(Recorded July 19, 2019. Released March 1, 2020)

UNDER REVIEW is a podcast in which tennis insiders share unique stories and insightful perspective. For more information, please contact [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL:

For more UNDER REVIEW episodes featuring Tennis Hall of Famers, check out:

• Jim Courier [Ep23]
• Gigi Fernandez [Ep27]
• Nick Bollettieri [Ep28]
• Mark Woodforde [Ep29]
• Steve Flink [Ep37]
• Mats Wilander [Ep38]
• Yevgeny Kafelnikov [Ep40]
• Stan Smith [Ep50]

To see clips from the epic Passarel / Gonzalez Wimbledon match: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H6V1iP4UiA

And check out The Malibu Racquet Club: https://www.maliburacquetclub.com/

KEYWORDS:

James Van Alen. Arthur Ashe, Rod Laver, Rolex, Welby Van Horn, Donald Dell, UCLA, Davis Cup, Indian Wells, Larry Ellison, Oracle, Tennis Hall of Fame

Leo Lavalle , the winner of the 1985 Junior Wimbledon Championships,  has lived an incredible life in tennis.

As a pro he rose to 51 in the word and posted wins over Brad Gilbert, Anders Jarryd, and Stefan Edberg.   After the great Hall of Fame player Raul Ramirez, he is the best player to have come from his country, and as a Davis Cup stalwart carried the hopes and dreams of Mexican tennis onto the court with him for a record 14 years.

On this episode of Under Review,  Leo Lavalle, now a  broadcaster for ESPN’s tennis coverage in Mexico, is going to explain why the Acapulco Open is fast becoming a tennis fan destination.  He’ll share what it was like to turn pro in the mid 80’s as racquet technology and fitness regiments were changing drastically.  Leo will explain why Davis Cup was where he played his best tennis, and why the team format  was so important to him.   He’ll tell us about a 16 year old Spanish phenom that he thinks is a male version of Coco Gauff.  And he’ll share who he think can beat Rafa Nadal at Roland Garros.  Leo Lavalle joined us from his home in Carretero , Mexico.  We talked about tennis in length, via Skype.

(Recorded February 20, 2020, Released February 23, 2020) , 

Related Episodes of UNDER REVIEW:

For other episodes of UNDER REVIEW featuring coaches, former players, and broadcasters, check out: Patrick Mouratoglou [Ep32]; Nick Bollettieri [Ep28]; Paul Annacone [Ep15]; Brad Gilbert [Ep01];JIM COURIER {Ep23,  MARK WOODFORDE [Ep29], MATS WILANDER [Ep38]

UNDER REVIEW is a podcast in which tennis insiders share unique stories and insightful perspective. For more information, please contact [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL:

To see Leo Lavalle playing in Davis Cup check out this  link,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3whWo2x-Jg

And check out The Malibu Racquet Club: https://www.maliburacquetclub.com/

KEYWORDS:

Mexico, Wimbledon, Davis Cup, ESPN, Acapulco, Ivan Lendl, Raul Ramirez, Brad Gilbert, Carlos Alcaraz, Rafa Nadal, John McEnroe, Coco Gauff

Brian Vahaly , once named to People Magazine’s most eligible bachelor list, has lived an incredible life in tennis.

As a child he was afraid to swim after seeing JAWS, and began tennis as an infant .  As a junior tennis player, he was one of the best players in the United States but was not identified as a top prospect by the USTA.   After a standout career at the University of Virginia, he initially struggled on the ATP Tour.  Coming up with players such as Robby Ginepri and Andy Roddick, Brian told us his story of perseverance.

On this episode BRIAN VAHALY  tells us how, early in his career he was close to stopping playing and then went on a tear, breaking into the top hundred. He breaks down some of his obligations as a board member of the USTA.  She describes how tennis took hold in Scotland and where it needs to go from here. And she tells us what you must do when you have one kid who finals the Orange Bowl and another one who wins it.

(Recorded September 6, 2019. Released February 16, 2020)

Related Episodes of UNDER REVIEW:

For other episodes of UNDER REVIEW , check out: Patrick Mouratoglou [Ep32]; Nick Bollettieri [Ep28]; Paul Annacone [Ep15]; Brad Gilbert [Ep01];

UNDER REVIEW is a podcast in which tennis insiders share unique stories and insightful perspective. For more information, please contact [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL:

For more on Brian’s latest venture check out SolidCore.

KEYWORDS:

UVA, University of Virginia Tennis, USTA, Gordon Smith, Solidcore, Vladimir Voltchkov, Atlanta, Donald Young, Ashley Harkleroad, Robby Ginepri

Henri Leconte the French legend joined us and we had a mid-tournament conversation.  He shared how he became a longtime Australian Open fan favorite broadcaster, first at Channel 7, then 9, and now Eurosport.  Henri Leconte explained that he began broadcasting when Jo Wilfried Tsonga was playing well in Australia. He told us about the immense pressure he faced when he was a contestant on Britain’s Top Chef.   Henri discussed Felix Auger-Aliassime and Coco Gauff.  We learned what his perspectives have been regarding the French tennis players Caro Garcia, Pierres-Hugues Herbert, and Hugo Humbert. Henri also talked about some of the problems the French Tennis Federation is facing.

Henri Leconte discussed his own tennis career and how he learned tennis from his mother.  He told us that he was thrown out of the French Tennis Federation and joined the Romanian Ion Tiriac. Henri  described what it was like to train with the Argentine legend Guillermo Vilas .  We discussed his run to the finals of the 86 French Open and his great performance at the 1991 Davis Cup where he beat Pete Sampras. He followed up the Sampras win with a win in doubles vs the great team of Ken Flach and Robert Seguso.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL:

For other UNDER REVIEW episodes with other luminaries and broadcasters check out:

Henri’s opponent in the French Open Final, MATS WILANDER [Ep38]  2 time French Open winner Jim Courier [Ep23] Pete Sampras’ longtime coach Paul Annacone [Ep15]

(Recorded January 29, 2020. Released February 7, 2020)

UNDER REVIEW is a podcast in which tennis insiders share unique stories and insightful perspective. For more information, please contact [email protected]

KEYWORDS:

Coco Gauff ,Felix, Roland Garros , French Open , Tiriac, Vilas, Sampras, Becker, Australia, Kooyong, Lyon, Paris, Lille, Australian Open, Melbourne, French tennis, tennis mom, Top Chef

Former world #1 and Hall-of-Famer Lindsay Davenport joined us and we had a mid-tournament Australian Open conversation.  She shared her experience being a tennis mom and explained how both she and her husband split up the tournament obligations. .  We learned what her perspectives have been at the Australian Open .  Lindsay shared her thoughts on  Serena and Venus Williams  and also Coco Gauff. Lindsay also talked about coaching the American tennis player Madison Keys.  She broke down the remaining men that reached the quarterfinals; Sascha Zverev, Stan Wawrinka, Milos Raonic, Tennys Sandgren, Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.

Now a Tennis Channel  broadcaster,  California native Lindsay Davenport  discussed the summer of 1998.  That summer she won three straight tournaments in California and then won the US Open.  Lindsay talked about the impact her coach Robert Van’t Hof had on her career.  She described some of her most important wins in Melbourne including beating Jennifer Capriati and Martina Hingis en route to her win in 2000.  We discussed her favorite tournament, favorite court,  and the importance of cheering the player from the  players’ guest box. She also told us what changes she would like to make if she was the queen of tennis.   We caught up with Lindsay Davenport on a veranda in the media centre at the Australian Open.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL:

For other UNDER REVIEW episodes with other Tennis Channel broadcasters check out:

• James Blake [Ep26]
• Jim Courier [Ep23]
• Mary Carillo [Ep24] 
• Paul Annacone [Ep15]
• Prakash Amritraj [Ep09]

To hear more of Lindsay, please check out The Racquet Magazine Podcast.

(Recorded January 28, 2020. Released January 29, 2020)

UNDER REVIEW is a podcast in which tennis insiders share unique stories and insightful perspective. For more information, please contact [email protected]

KEYWORDS:

Madison Keys ,Serena Williams , Venus Williams , Steffi Graf, Monica Seles,
Australian Open, Melbourne,  Robert Lansdorp, Tennis Channel , tennis coach, tennis mom

Brad Gilbert joins us for a pre Australian Open conversation.  We learned what he has been up to in the off season, and what amazing memorabilia he has at his store, BG Tennis Nation.  Brad shared his thoughts on the ATP Cup, Davis Cup, and Serena and Venus Williams.

Now an ESPN broadcaster,  Brad  discussed how he grew up in a tennis playing family in Oakland, Ca.  He described how a coaching change  at Arizona State turned him towards junior college where he met the coach that changed his life.  He talked about his one incredible semester at Pepperdine University where he majored in tennis and reached the NCAA finals.  He shared his thoughts on Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, and Melbourne.  Brad also told us what his ideal scenario is for the 2020 tennis season.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL:

For other UNDER REVIEW episodes with Brad Gilbert, check out:

2018 US OPEN Preview: Brad Gilbert [Ep1]

2018 Season Wrap Up: Brad Gilbert [Ep14]

And check out The Malibu Racquet Club: https://www.maliburacquetclub.com/

(Recorded January 13, 2020. Released January 20, 2020)

UNDER REVIEW is a podcast in which tennis insiders share unique stories and insightful perspective. For more information, please contact [email protected]

KEYWORDS:

Foothill College, Pepperdine, Dennis Shapovalov, Australian Open, Kooyong, Sascha Zverev, Andre Agassi, tennis coach, ATP Cup, Laver Cup, Davis Cup