Ep 6 - George Smith

We’ve gone stateside! That’s right, there’s been an event in America and we’ve got a singles finalist on the pod. Tune into this episode to find out what it’s like to play in humid conditions!

In this weeks episode we chat to the first champion of 2021! After an amazing event in Wolverhampton, it was only right that we gave it an episode to go over all the best bits. Obviously wouldn’t couldn’t have Stu on without putting him through our usual games as well!

New episode drops right now! It would be rude not to give you an episode in the build up to the event in Wolverhampton this weekend, what else would you listen to on the way? This week Sean Murphy joins us and it is an absolute corker as always! We learn about some of his favourite events and for those of you thinking about running events, he gives us his top 3 tips!

Usually we write a piece about what is in this podcast but we honestly can’t find the words to describe what is about to be played into your ears. We joke a lot with Smithy but he is the epitome of a touchtennis player. There is no player that hasn’t had a conversation with George at an event because he will lose 4-0 4-0, come off court with a smile and then engage with absolutely everyone. A true family member.

This week we have an amazing pod with professional tennis player Emily Webely-Smith. Emily is currently in India playing ITF events but has also found time to check out the new touchtennis centre over there. We find out about how Emily may or may not have lost to The Goat, why she’s picking Marcus Willis in a certain category and would she tag Bear Grylls? We also answer your write in questions and say hello to a bunny that sent their clip in.

touch On Air episode four see’s Clayton Edge take to the mic! In this pod we get an insight into how a Thorpe Park trip wasn’t enough for Clayton to be allowed to play Fernando Gonzalez, which rally is his favourite out of his highlight reels and what top three tips he would give someone about running an event! 00:00 - First event back? 01:14 - Hello ... 03:07 - What is that serve? 05:00 - Clayton Edge 08:00 - Clayton’s biggest win! 12:30 - Favourite viral clip. 16:30 - Top 3 tips for running an event. 19:10 - Build your perfect player. 28:00 - What’s that word?

Gollo and Ben stay on with Lucy after the last episode and sneak a bonus podcast to celebrate International Women’s Day!

Lucy Coals, former Women’s World #1, joins us this week on the pod. We get to hear about why she could’ve expected Chipotle at every touchtennis event, how she first met The GOAT and how she carried host Matt to a Masters doubles win! Lucy puts a fresh spin on the ‘Build your perfect player’ game and also gives us a new category! Finally we debut a new game thanks to some listener feedback, shoutout Ben’s Dad Nigel, and put Lucy+Gollo against the clock. Ben and Matt also discuss some huge touchtennis news after Boris Johnson’s announcement and take a look at the brand new balls! Again, if you’d like to be on the pod then send us a 1min clip telling us about your story! 00:00 - BIG TOUCHTENNIS NEWS 02:10 - Hello to... 04:28 - New touchtennis balls 06:25 - Lucy Coals 11:15 - First women’s title win 12:45 - Matt and Lucy’s doubles win 17:30 - Building the perfect player (+Tactics, sponsored by Lucy Coals) 27:35 - 90 second word challenge 30:00 - Podcast review

For this weeks episode we introduced former World #1 Adam Hassan. Adam has been on the tour for over 8 years now and we dive into how he found the sport and some of his most memorable matches over the years. Be warned, Hass does not hold back when Ben throws him a curveball in the ‘Build your perfect player’ section and reveals how not prepare for a tournament in Belgium. If you want to get on the podcast, make sure you listen in to find out how! 00:00 - Response to episode one 01:30 - Who’s foot fault you taking? 02:00 - How to get on the pod! 04:20 - Adam Hassan and how he got introduced to touchtennis 08:18 - Hass’ most memorable match 16:00 - 2021 goals 15:57 - The perfect touchtennis player 33:33 - Tag, Partner, Bagel 37:56 - Episode review.

touch On Air is starting with a bang! This episode hosts Ben (AELTC Coach) and Matt (touchtennis singles & doubles world number 1) interview Rashid Ahmad, founder of touchtennis and the greatest touchtennis player of all time (The GOAT). In this episode we discuss how touchtennis began with just a fun game between friends and it’s rules that have adapted over the years. Rashid tells us how the game is designed so that no matter what standard you are at tennis, you’ve always got a chance in a touchtennis match. We get given an exclusive look at the touchtennis racket from Rashid’s new brand ‘The GOAT’ before building the perfect player to use it. We finish by putting The GOAT, Rashid, through a game of ‘Tag, Partner, Bagel’. 00:50 - How did we get into touchtennis 08:10 - The GOAT 09:45 - Where did touchtennis begin? 18:27 - How has the sport adapted and evolved? 26:19 - ‘I’m not a national tennis player, will I lose easily at events?’ 33:13 - The GOAT brand. 39:50 - Building the perfect touchtennis player. 49:10 - Tag, Partner, Bagel.