In Episode 9, hosts Ryan Redondo and Steve Adamson welcome James McKie, Director of College and Pro Player Development at UTR, to discuss player development, college tennis, the role of UTR, and why ratings and rankings should never become more important than the process of becoming a better player. James McKie brings a unique perspective shaped by his journey from Scotland to Division I college tennis, 12 years of college coaching, and his current role helping connect collegiate and professional player development at UTR.

James McKie reflects on beginning tennis at four years old in Scotland, including being coached by Judy Murray, before eventually coming to the United States to play at Drake University. He shares how his experiences as a player shaped his approach to development, including one lesson he wishes he had understood earlier: the importance of truly believing in yourself and developing the confidence to compete against anyone.

The conversation then turns to James McKie's coaching career at Fresno State, Tulane, and Tennessee and the environments that help players develop. James McKie explains why athletes need to become comfortable being uncomfortable, why coaches shouldn't make everything easy for their players, and why competing, relationships, character, and enjoying the game are critical parts of long-term development.

In this episode, they explore:

✅ Growing up playing tennis in Scotland and being coached by Judy Murray
✅ Playing Division I college tennis at Drake University
✅ Why James McKie wishes he had believed in himself more as a player
✅ How confidence, competitiveness, and environment shape player development
✅ Coaching at Fresno State, Tulane, and Tennessee
✅ Why players need to become comfortable being uncomfortable
✅ The importance of making tennis challenging while keeping the game fun
✅ Why parents need to trust the coaches and environments they choose for their children
✅ How UTR is being used throughout junior, collegiate, and professional tennis
✅ How the changing landscape of college tennis is affecting junior players and recruiting
✅ Why young players should use increased competition for college roster spots as motivation
✅ How the UTR Pro Tennis Tour can help aspiring professionals develop through meaningful match play
✅ Why players and parents shouldn't obsess over their UTR rating
✅ Why character can sometimes tell coaches more about a player than rankings or ratings

James McKie also offers a particularly important message for players and parents: stop checking the number all the time. While UTR can provide an accurate benchmark of a player's level, James McKie argues that development should remain focused on environment, coaching, competition, enjoyment, and consistently showing up to improve.

The episode closes with a powerful example from James McKie's recruiting career about taking a chance on a player because of his character rather than simply his rating. That player entered Tennessee as a 12.1 UTR and eventually developed into a 14.5-level player ranked around No. 200 in the world.

Whether you're a junior tennis player, parent, coach, college athlete, or aspiring professional, this episode offers an inside look at what ratings can tell you, what they can't, and why the person and player you become matters more than the number next to your name.

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Hosted by Ryan Redondo and Steve Adamson and recorded at the Barnes Tennis Center, home of Youth Tennis San Diego.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Your support helps us reach more players, parents, coaches, and fans across the racquet sports community.

In Episode 8, hosts Ryan Redondo and Steve Adamson welcome the show’s first professional pickleball guest, Jay Devilliers, a professional pickleball player, former APP Tour No. 1, and Major League Pickleball athlete. Jay shares his journey from growing up in France and pursuing a career in professional tennis to becoming one of the top players in professional pickleball.

Jay reflects on growing up as the youngest of seven children in an intensely competitive family, choosing tennis over soccer at age 14, and leaving France to train at a tennis academy in Spain. He discusses how different training environments shaped him as an athlete, the injuries that changed his tennis career, and his eventual move to the United States to play Division I college tennis at Wichita State.

The conversation then turns to the unexpected opportunity that introduced Jay to pickleball. After college, Jay accepted a job as a pickleball director despite having never played the sport. As pickleball began to grow, he discovered an opportunity to revive his dream of becoming a professional athlete and took a chance on pursuing the sport full-time.

In this episode, they explore:

✅ Growing up in France as the youngest of seven children in an extremely competitive family
✅ Choosing between high-level soccer and tennis at just 14 years old
✅ Leaving home to train at a tennis academy in Spain and developing a "warrior" mentality
✅ How injuries changed his path toward becoming a professional tennis player
✅ The decision to come to the United States and play Division I college tennis at Wichita State
✅ How college tennis improved his doubles game and helped prepare him for pickleball
✅ Taking a job as a pickleball director before he had ever played the sport
✅ Why Jay decided to gamble on professional pickleball while the sport was still developing
✅ How his tennis background, preparation, and competitive mindset gave him an edge in professional pickleball
✅ Why Jay is willing to do whatever it takes to compete and win
✅ The importance of parents understanding what their children truly want from sports
✅ Why every young athlete has their own path to development and success

Ryan, Steve, and Jay also discuss the differences between tennis development in France, Spain, and the United States, what it takes to create a professional mindset, and how the competitive landscape of pickleball has evolved. Jay shares his perspective as both a professional athlete and a parent, emphasizing the importance of supporting young athletes without trying to live your own dreams through them.

Whether you're a tennis or pickleball player, parent, coach, or sports fan, this episode offers a fascinating look at competition, development, adaptability, and what can happen when one athletic dream leads to an entirely new opportunity.

Connect with The Serving the Future Show

Follow us for clips, behind-the-scenes content, guest highlights, and conversations about tennis, pickleball, padel, athlete development, and the future of racquet sports.

Instagram: @servingthefutureshow
X: @TSTF_Show
TikTok: @servingthefutureshow
Facebook: Serving the Future Show
YouTube: @ServingtheFutureShow

Hosted by Ryan Redondo and Steve Adamson and recorded at the Barnes Tennis Center, home of Youth Tennis San Diego.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Your support helps us reach more players, parents, coaches, and fans across the racquet sports community.

In Episode 7, hosts Ryan Redondo and Steve Adamson welcome Brandon Nakashima, ATP Tour professional, San Diego native, ATP Tour champion, and current World No. 31. Brandon shares the journey that took him from local courts in San Diego to competing among the world's best, offering an inside look at the mindset, habits, and support system that have shaped his career.

Brandon reflects on his early years in tennis, the importance of building strong fundamentals, and why enjoying the process mattered more than chasing rankings or trophies. He discusses the role his family and first coach played in his development, his experiences in junior tennis, his decision to attend the University of Virginia before turning professional, and the lessons he's learned from competing on the ATP Tour. Throughout the conversation, Brandon emphasizes that success is built through consistency, humility, and a commitment to improving every day.

In this episode, they explore:

✅ Growing up in San Diego and discovering a love for tennis at an early age
✅ Why strong fundamentals and great coaching lay the foundation for long-term success
✅ The role his family played in supporting his journey while keeping the focus on enjoyment and development
✅ Why junior players should prioritize development over rankings and move up only when they're ready
✅ The value of college tennis and how it prepared him for life on the ATP Tour
✅ The challenges of transitioning from junior tennis to the professional game
✅ What separates the world's best players from everyone else, both mentally and physically
✅ Why focusing on the process instead of results leads to long-term success
✅ Staying humble, giving back to the community, and remembering where you came from
✅ Why tennis should never define who you are as a person

Ryan, Steve, and Brandon also discuss the importance of mental resilience, learning to handle pressure, trusting your preparation, and surrounding yourself with people who keep you grounded. Brandon shares practical advice for players, parents, and coaches on creating healthy environments for development and why true success extends far beyond wins, losses, and rankings.

Whether you're a player, parent, coach, or sports fan, this episode offers valuable insights on player development, mindset, resilience, and the habits that create lasting success, both on and off the court.

Connect with The Serving the Future Show

Follow us for clips, behind-the-scenes content, guest highlights, and conversations about tennis, pickleball, padel, athlete development, and the future of racquet sports.

Instagram: @servingthefutureshow
X: @TSTF_Show
TikTok: @servingthefutureshow
Facebook: Serving the Future Show
YouTube: @ServingtheFutureShow

Hosted by Ryan Redondo and Steve Adamson and recorded at the Barnes Tennis Center, home of Youth Tennis San Diego.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Your support helps us reach more players, parents, coaches, and fans across the racquet sports community.