👉 Go Deeper with Coaches and Pros Who Actually Know Senior Tennis https://www.skool.com/senior-tennis-unpacked-8081

What happens when you’re up 5-2, feeling good, and then suddenly tighten up?

In this episode of Insider’s Playbook, I’m joined by mental performance coach Jeff Greenwald to talk about one of the most frustrating parts of tennis: why we choke, why we start playing not to lose, and what causes our game to break down under pressure.

Jeff explains why players get trapped in self-monitoring, why trying to “fix” technique in the middle of a tight moment often makes things worse, and how to compete more freely when the score gets uncomfortable. We also talk about what to do right after a double fault, how a simple between-point routine can calm your mind, and why protecting a lead is often what causes it to disappear.

If you’ve ever gotten tight on serve, lost confidence when ahead, or wondered why your game changes when the match gets close, this conversation will help you understand what’s happening and how to respond better.

Key takeaways

• Pressure itself is not the real problem. The bigger problem is how we react to feeling pressure, tightness, or nerves
• After a double fault, focusing on “don’t double fault” usually creates more tension. A better response is to shift attention outward instead of inward
• In tight moments, players often start self-monitoring and trying to fix technique, but that usually makes the problem worse
• A simple between-point routine can help reset the mind, especially when it brings attention back to the body, breathing, and the ball
• Going into a match with a written pressure plan helps you respond better when things get uncomfortable instead of just hoping you’ll handle it well
• When players get ahead, they often start protecting the lead instead of continuing to compete. That shift from playing to win to playing not to lose is where trouble starts

About Jeff Greenwald

Jeff Greenwald is the author of The Best Tennis of Your Life and creator of Fearless Tennis. His work focuses on the mental side of competitive tennis, helping players manage pressure, expectations, focus, confidence, and the emotional challenges that can interfere with playing their best.

Contact Jeff Greenwald:

Website: https://fearlesstennis.com

Email: jeff@fearlesstennis.com

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 Coming Up & Show Introduction

01:34 Why Pressure Makes You Play Too Safe

04:01 What to Do After a Double Fault

06:45 Why Overthinking Technique Makes It Worse

07:56 A Simple Between-Point Routine

10:02 Build Your Pressure Plan Before the Match

10:51 Creating a Written Plan for Pressure Scenarios

11:47 Can an Alter Ego Help You Compete?

13:18 Stop Playing Not to Lose

17:53 Show Wrap Up

#TennisMentalGame #TennisStrategy #SeniorTennis

👉 Go Deeper with Coaches and Pros Who Actually Know Senior Tennis https://www.skool.com/senior-tennis-unpacked-8081

Watching the pros can make you want to copy everything they do. But which parts of modern tennis technique translate to recreational players, especially as we get older?

In this episode of Insider’s Playbook, Ryan Reidy of 2MinuteTennis breaks down three techniques we can borrow from the pros without trying to swing like an ATP player.

Ryan explains why so many recreational players constantly feel rushed, how preparing earlier can immediately improve your timing, and why the position of your racket face before contact may be more important than the size or shape of your swing.

We also get into the serve, where Ryan shares one of his simplest teaching tools: the “birthday hat” drill designed to help players develop a smoother, more efficient racket path without muscling the ball.

Ryan also explains why we should be selective about what we copy from professional players and focus on the fundamentals that make their technique efficient rather than trying to imitate every part of their swings.

If you’re a competitive tennis player over 50 looking for practical technique changes you can take to the court, this episode is packed with ideas you can test immediately.

Key takeaways

• Prepare early, not fast: The pros often have their racket prepared by the time the ball bounces, while recreational players frequently use the bounce as the signal to start their backswing
• Stop using the bounce as your timing mechanism: Ryan explains how learning to judge when the ball will arrive can give you more time and help you handle deeper, faster balls
• Pay attention to where your strings point: The shape of your swing matters, but Ryan says recreational players should pay particular attention to having the racket face tilted down before swinging toward contact
• Use your racket edge to develop topspin: Ryan shares a simple drill that teaches players to lead toward the ball with the top edge of the racket and experience the brushing action needed for topspin
• Make your serve more efficient with the birthday-hat drill: Passing the racket over your head can help develop a smoother, more circular serving motion that is relaxed and easier to repeat throughout a match

Contact Ryan Reidy: ryan@2minutetennis.net

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@2MinuteTennis

Website: 2minutetennis.net

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 Coming Up & Show Introduction

01:27 Ryan Reidy: What Should We Copy From the Pros?

02:05 Prepare Early, Not Fast

06:09 Stop Timing Your Swing Off the Bounce

10:19 Why Racket Face Position Matters

14:21 The “South Pole” Topspin Drill

16:44 The Birthday Hat Serve Drill

19:45 Key Takeaways

#SeniorTennis #TennisTechnique #TennisTips #TennisServe #TennisOver50

👉 Go Deeper with Coaches and Pros Who Actually Know Senior Tennis

https://www.skool.com/senior-tennis-unpacked-8081

Episode Description:

Most "play longer" advice starts backwards.

It tells you to stretch more or lift heavier. But Ryan Vesce — a former pro hockey player who now trains older athletes to stay competitive — says everything starts somewhere else: the nervous system.

"When you actually have it working as it should," Ryan explains, "your strength automatically goes up, your flexibility gets better, and your range of motion gets better immediately. It's not because you're doing anything magical — you're taking the guarding mechanism off the brain."

In this episode of Insider's Playbook, we unpack what players over 50 should be doing now to stay strong, quick, and competitive into their 70s and 80s.

Key takeaways:

• Recovery should determine how much tennis your body can handle
• Strength training 2–3x a week keeps you competitive as you age
• Quickness and reaction speed must keep being trained — without the impact
• Small warning signs become injuries when ignored (rotator cuff → elbow, "glutes off" → back and knee pain)
• The at-home drill to fire your fast-twitch system again (broomstick + altitude drops)

Because as the saying goes: "when you stop jumping, you start dying."

Contact Ryan Vesce:

Website: www.MatterhornFit.com

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 Coming Up - Show Intro

01:14 Training Quickness and Reaction Speed After 50

03:33 How Much Tennis and Strength Training?

05:46 Recovering After Matches and Tournaments

08:09 Don't Ignore the Early Warning Signs

09:00 3 Non-Negotiables for Tennis Longevity

10:15 How to Keep Playing for Years to Come

11:38 Show Wrap Up

#SeniorTennis #TennisOver50 #TennisFitness #TennisTraining #TennisLongevity #tennistips #tennistrategy #seniortennis #tennisfitness