The INTENNSE Show with J.Y. Aubone

Player Series | Episode 4What makes a professional tennis player choose a team environment over the traditional tour? For Elmar Ejupovic, the answer goes far beyond tennis.In this episode of The INTENNSE Podcast, J.Y. Aubone sits down with the big-hitting German from Team Smash, who finished third in the 2026 MVP race, to discuss his experience playing INTENNSE and why it became one of the most meaningful experiences of his tennis career.Elmar shares the difficult decision to leave his wife and newborn daughter at home for two months to compete in Atlanta, why INTENNSE offered a professional opportunity that made the sacrifice worthwhile, and how a guaranteed salary and the chance to compete without the constant travel of the traditional tour factored into his decision.He also takes us inside the season, from the emotional ups and downs of the inaugural draft to Team Smash's four-match winning streak, the tactical adjustments required by INTENNSE's unique format, and the disappointment of narrowly missing the playoffs.But the most memorable part of the conversation comes when Elmar describes watching his teammates win a crucial match while he was home with his family. When they called him on FaceTime to celebrate together, he was overcome with emotion.After years of competing as an individual, he experienced something that traditional professional tennis rarely provides: the feeling of sharing the highs and lows of the sport with a team.🎾 The Player Series features the athletes competing in INTENNSE and the stories, experiences, and perspectives that make them who they are.Visit www.intennse.com for more!

Player Series | Episode 3In this episode of The INTENNSE Podcast, J.Y. Aubone sits down with professional tennis player Sophie Chang to discuss her journey back to competition, her experience with INTENNSE, and what it's like to be part of a team after spending more than a decade on the individual professional tour.After reaching a career-high ranking of No. 50 in doubles and No. 200 in singles, Sophie stepped away from professional tennis in 2025 while recovering from a rib stress fracture and dealing with burnout. When an invitation to attend the Atlanta Cup introduced her to INTENNSE, she discovered a completely different way to experience professional tennis.Sophie shares what went through her mind during the inaugural player draft, the challenges of returning to competition while battling a back injury, and what it was like adjusting to INTENNSE's fast-paced format, unique rules, and energetic atmosphere.She also reflects on one of the most memorable moments of the season: a dramatic, last-second victory that brought her team together, and why the friendships, team practices, and shared experiences became such a meaningful part of her return to the sport.🎾 The Player Series features the athletes competing in INTENNSE and the stories, experiences, and perspectives that make them who they are.

Coach Series | Episode 3In this episode of The INTENNSE Podcast, J.Y. Aubone sits down with Simon Pritchard, head coach of Team Freeze, to go behind the scenes of the team's championship run in the 2026 INTENNSE season.Simon shares the unexpected journey that brought him back to tennis after leaving the sport to work in private equity, eventually becoming associate head coach at his alma mater, Kennesaw State University, and returning to the court as a professional team coach.He breaks down how he approached the inaugural INTENNSE draft, why he built his roster around specific playing styles and matchups, and how his team responded after getting blown out in its opening match. From bold substitutions and tactical timeouts to navigating the pressure of a championship final, Simon explains the adjustments that helped Team Freeze find its form at the right time.Plus, he reflects on the importance of trust and selflessness within a team, the challenge of managing player expectations, and the unforgettable moments that made the championship season so special.🎾 The Coach Series explores the people, decisions and strategies behind INTENNSE, giving listeners an inside look at what it takes to lead in a new kind of professional tennis.

Coach Series | Episode 2In this episode of The INTENNSE Podcast, J.Y. Aubone sits down with Jim Harp, head coach of Team Inferno, to discuss the challenges of coaching in INTENNSE and what it takes to lead a team through a demanding professional season.From preparing for the inaugural draft to managing substitutions, timeouts and momentum in real time, Jim shares how he adapted his coaching strategy as the season progressed. He also explains why analyzing the numbers, trusting his players and knowing when to let them play aggressively became critical to his team's success.Jim opens up about the mental exhaustion of coaching in a format where every decision matters, the challenges of managing different personalities off the court, and the lessons he plans to take into next season.Plus, he reflects on Inferno's season, the unforgettable moments that made INTENNSE so unique, and what he learned about himself as a head coach.Learn more about INTENNSE: HomepageFollow INTENNSE: Instagram🎧 Subscribe to The INTENNSE Podcast for more stories from the players, coaches and people shaping the future of tennis.

Coach Series | Episode 1In this episode of The INTENNSE Podcast, J.Y. Aubone sits down with Amy O’Connell, Executive Director of USTA Atlanta and head coach of the Team Outriders, to discuss her return to coaching and an unforgettable first season with INTENNSE.After losing three players from her original draft, Amy had to rebuild her roster and figure out how to bring a new group together in a format unlike traditional tennis. She shares what she learned about managing substitutions, making decisions under pressure, and building a team where players put winning ahead of individual success.Amy also reflects on the moments that defined the Outriders’ season, from dramatic finishes to an incredible playoff run that took them to the INTENNSE Finals.Plus, she discusses how INTENNSE can help grow tennis in Atlanta, bring communities together, and give recreational players a chance to experience the format for themselves.

Player Series | Episode 2In this episode of The INTENNSE Podcast, J.Y. Aubone sits down with Elijah Poritzky of Team Rise to talk about his journey from junior tennis in New York to Furman University, training in Mallorca, and competing in INTENNSE.After a difficult wrist injury left Elijah questioning his future in tennis, his experience with INTENNSE helped bring back the joy and motivation he had lost. He shares what it was like joining Team Rise, adjusting to INTENNSE’s unique format, dealing with substitutions and sudden death points, and building a team over eight weeks.Elijah also talks about his experiences as a hitting partner at Indian Wells, Cincinnati and the US Open, including hitting with Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Naomi Osaka and other top professionals.And after his INTENNSE season, Elijah decided to give competitive tennis another shot.He shares why he feels he owes it to himself to see how far he can go.

Player Series | Episode 1In the first episode of The INTENNSE Podcast, J.Y. Aubone sits down with Seone Mendez of Team Freeze to talk about her experience with INTENNSE and what makes it different from traditional professional tennis.Seone was the 2025 INTENNSE Female MVP and 2026 Finals MVP after a professional tennis career that took her to all four Grand Slams. She shares her perspective on competing as part of a team, the INTENNSE community, and what the experience has given her that she didn’t find in traditional tennis.