Ep. 2 The Evolution of Junior Development

In this episode Alec has an honest conversation with a good friend, and former student, who picked up tennis as an adult and just played his first USTA league match — covering the awkward first swings, gear mistakes, the intimidation factor, and what league play is actually like from the inside. If you've been on the fence about starting tennis later in life, this one's for you.

What does it actually take to run a tennis club? Not the version from the RSPA certification manual , the real one. In this solo episode, Alec draws on his time managing Evergreen Tennis to pull back the curtain on the job nobody fully explains until you're already in it.From the illusion of the "head pro" role to the revenue conversations most clubs are too uncomfortable to have, Alec covers the unglamorous realities of club operations with honesty and specificity. He breaks down why programming, not court time, is the real product, why one toxic staff member can unravel years of culture-building, and why the member who complains is actually your most valuable one. He also shares the churn signal almost nobody tracks, the pro shop myth that needs to die, and what real member loyalty actually looks like.This is the episode for every head pro or director who's ever stood alone in a room with a problem and no manual. And for every assistant coach, club owner, or industry professional wondering why their club feels stuck.

In this episode Alec and Brian debate whether NIL has given way to an inevitable end to college tennis programs or if NIL is highlighting an issue in college athletic departments that has been going on for decades.

Alec and Brian explain the bridge between the mental side of practice versus matches and how to shorten that pathway. Using examples from Brian's book, as well as personal stories, we give you the tools and resources to be able to climb the mental hurdles that come from developing/enhancing your game.

Special guest, Luke Rencher, and Alec discuss the topic of great vs greatness in pro tennis. Debating the criteria needed to be in the discussion, going through history to see which players qualify and whether we should view certain players, or even tournaments, through a different lens.

In this episode Alec dissects the many reasons why someone curious about picking up tennis should and why tennis should be considered the best sport for people to play.

Alec and Brian tackle the changes within junior development in tennis. Starting with different ways to build a good foundation all the way to developing elite college athletes!

In this episode Alec and Brian dig into how coaching in tennis has evolved over the past few decades, taking a stance from both personal experiences of coaching from high school up to the pro tour as well as two individuals who are passionate about the game.