In Episode 6, hosts Ryan Redondo and Steve Adamson welcome Sem Verbeek, Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Champion, ATP Tour professional, former ITF World No. 1, and one of the most inspiring stories in professional tennis. Sem shares his remarkable journey from discovering tennis at age 10 in Amsterdam to winning Wimbledon, proving that success isn't determined by how early you start; it's built through discipline, purpose, and a relentless commitment to the process.

Sem opens up about his unconventional path through junior tennis, training at IMG Academy, competing in NCAA Division I tennis at the University of the Pacific, and the strategic four-year plans that guided every stage of his professional career. Throughout the conversation, he shares why focusing on daily improvement, rather than results, became the foundation for reaching the highest levels of the sport.

In this episode, they explore:

✅ Starting tennis at age 10 and choosing it over soccer at 12
✅ Training at IMG Academy and overcoming the challenges of being overlooked as a recruit
✅ How college tennis transformed his confidence, discipline, and professional aspirations
✅ Why creating long-term strategic plans helped shape his career
✅ The mental side of professional tennis and managing pressure through process goals
✅ Winning the 2025 Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Championship and embracing the biggest moments in tennis
✅ Building resilience through setbacks, injuries, and years on the professional tour
✅ The importance of mentorship, emotional intelligence, and surrounding yourself with the right people
✅ Lessons for players, parents, and coaches on development, mindset, and long-term success
✅ His goals beyond Wimbledon, including pursuing the 2028 Olympic Games and continuing to grow both on and off the court

Ryan, Steve, and Sem also discuss why emotions should be trained just like forehands and serves, how preparation creates confidence, and why success comes from consistently investing in the process rather than obsessing over results. Sem's journey is a powerful reminder that greatness isn't about where you begin; it's about the habits, people, and mindset you build along the way.

Whether you're a player, parent, coach, or sports fan, this episode delivers valuable lessons on resilience, discipline, leadership, and what it truly means to keep Serving the Future.

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.

Welcome back to The Serving the Future Show, recorded at the Barnes Tennis Center, home of Youth Tennis San Diego.

In Episode 5, hosts Ryan Redondo and Steve Adamson welcome one of the most accomplished athletes in tennis history, David Wagner, a 29-time Grand Slam Champion, multiple Paralympic medalist, former World No. 1, and one of the pioneers who helped transform wheelchair tennis on the global stage. David shares his remarkable journey from discovering tennis as a college student, overcoming a life-changing spinal cord injury, to becoming one of the greatest wheelchair tennis players of all time.

David reflects on the mindset, resilience, and support system that carried him through unimaginable adversity. He discusses how his family, coaches, and community helped shape his outlook, why preparation became his greatest competitive advantage, and how embracing challenges, not avoiding them, led to decades of success. He also shares behind-the-scenes stories from the Paralympics and Grand Slams, including friendships with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, and other legends of the sport.

In this episode, they explore:

✅ David's journey from aspiring basketball player to wheelchair tennis legend
✅ Recovering from a life-changing spinal cord injury at just 21 years old
✅ How mindset, resilience, and community shaped his championship career
✅ The evolution of wheelchair tennis and helping bring the sport to the Grand Slams
✅ Winning 29 Grand Slam titles and multiple Paralympic medals
✅ Managing pressure, overcoming setbacks, and sustaining excellence for decades
✅ The importance of preparation, self-belief, and continuous improvement
✅ Stories from competing alongside Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Serena Williams, and other tennis greats
✅ Why coaching and mentoring the next generation has become David's new mission
✅ Advice for players, parents, and coaches on building resilience, confidence, and long-term success

Ryan, Steve, and David also discuss the growth of wheelchair tennis, the importance of creating opportunities for young athletes with disabilities, and how sports can transform lives far beyond competition. David's story is a powerful reminder that greatness isn't defined by circumstances—it's built through perseverance, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to becoming the best version of yourself.

Whether you're a player, parent, coach, or sports fan, this episode delivers inspiring lessons on resilience, leadership, mindset, and what it truly means to keep Serving the Future. 🎾

📺 Watch David's documentary, "Lines of Determination," from Your Everyday Heroes to learn more about his incredible journey.

https://youreverydayheroes.com/hero/david-wagner-hero-story/

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.

Welcome back to The Serving the Future Show, recorded at the Barnes Tennis Center, home of Youth Tennis San Diego.

In this episode, hosts Ryan Redondo and Steve Adamson tackle one of the most common questions they hear from parents of junior athletes:

What's the best educational path for my child? Public school, private school, an academy, or online learning?

Drawing from their own experiences in tennis and decades of coaching junior players, Ryan and Steve dive into the realities of balancing education, player development, tournament travel, and long-term success. Ryan shares his personal journey through public school, tennis academies, and online education, while Steve offers insight from coaching players who have gone on to compete at top colleges and on the professional tour.

In this episode, they explore:

✅ The advantages and challenges of public school, private school, academies, and online learning
✅ How parents can realistically assess their child's goals, development, and opportunities
✅ Why there is no single "right" pathway for every athlete
✅ The importance of social development, relationships, and life experiences outside of tennis
✅ How the modern junior tennis landscape has changed with ITF rankings, international competition, and college recruiting
✅ Why environment, culture, accountability, and personal growth matter as much as results
✅ When online schooling may be the right choice, and when traditional school may provide greater long-term benefits

The conversation also examines the increasing professionalization of youth sports, the evolving college tennis landscape, and the difficult decisions families face when pursuing high-level athletic goals.

Whether you're a parent, player, coach, or educator, this episode offers honest perspectives and practical insights into finding the pathway that best supports both athletic success and personal development.

Because the goal isn't just to develop great players, it's to develop great people.

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 3, hosts Ryan Redondo and Steve Adamson welcome their first-ever guest, Alyssa Ahn - two-time USTA National Champion, US Open main draw wild card recipient, and rising sophomore at Stanford University. Alyssa shares her inspiring journey from hitting balls with her father as a young child to competing on one of tennis’s biggest stages. Along the way, she reflects on the lessons, challenges, and mindset that helped shape her success both on and off the court.

Alyssa opens up about the role her family played in her development, the importance of falling in love with the process rather than focusing solely on results, and how maintaining balance through traditional school helped her avoid burnout. She also discusses handling pressure, overcoming difficult stretches in her game, navigating the college recruiting process, and transitioning from junior tennis to Stanford's nationally competitive program.

In this episode, they explore:

✅ How Alyssa first fell in love with tennis and why she chose it over soccer
✅ The importance of enjoying the process and developing a strong work ethic
✅ Why balance and attending traditional school were critical to her development
✅ Managing pressure during junior tennis, recruiting, and major tournaments
✅ Lessons learned from winning the USTA Girls' 16s and 18s National Championships
✅ What it was like competing in the US Open main draw against the world's best players
✅ How optimism, resilience, and self-belief help navigate difficult periods in tennis
✅ The transition from junior tennis to Stanford's team environment
✅ Advice for aspiring players on work ethic, improvement, and controlling the controllables
✅ Guidance for parents on supporting long-term athletic development

Ryan, Steve, and Alyssa also discuss the realities of college tennis, team culture, overcoming adversity, and the unique experiences that come from balancing elite competition with academics. Alyssa offers thoughtful insights into what separates successful players, emphasizing that growth comes from consistent effort, embracing challenges, and maintaining perspective throughout the journey.

Whether you're a player, parent, coach, or sports enthusiast, this episode provides valuable lessons on perseverance, balance, mindset, and what it takes to thrive at the highest levels of junior, collegiate, and professional tennis.

Follow along and join the conversation as we continue exploring the people, pathways, and principles that are truly Serving the Future.

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.

Welcome back to The Serving the Future Show, recorded at the Barnes Tennis Center, home of Youth Tennis San Diego.

In Episode 2, hosts Ryan Redondo and Steve Adamson dive into one of the most important and often misunderstood aspects of athletic development: mindset. Drawing from their own experiences as junior players, collegiate athletes, coaches, and mentors, they explore how resilience, discipline, adversity, and environment shape both athletes and people.

Ryan shares stories from his journey as a nationally ranked junior and international competitor, while Steve reflects on the challenges of leaving Canada at 17 to pursue professional tennis in Southern California. Together, they discuss how growth happens through discomfort, why learning to embrace adversity is essential, and how the right environment can unlock a player's full potential.

In this episode, they explore:

✅ The difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset
✅ How resilience and adversity shape long-term success
✅ Why discipline and self-efficacy matter more than confidence alone
✅ The role coaches and parents play in creating healthy developmental environments
✅ Why learning to be uncomfortable is critical for growth
✅ How results-focused thinking can limit development
✅ The importance of passion, work ethic, and intrinsic motivation in high performers
✅ What today's players can learn from past generations of competitors

Ryan and Steve also discuss the challenges facing young athletes today, from rankings and ratings to social media pressures, and why helping players detach from outcomes and focus on the process may be one of the most valuable lessons coaches can teach.

Whether you're a player, parent, coach, or sports enthusiast, this episode offers practical insights into building mental toughness, fostering growth, and creating environments where athletes can thrive both on and off the court.

Follow along and join the conversation as we continue exploring the people, pathways, and principles that are truly serving the future.

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.

Welcome to the very first episode of The Serving the Future Show, recorded at the Barnes Tennis Center, home of Youth Tennis San Diego.

Hosts Ryan Redondo and Steve Adamson kick off the podcast by sharing their remarkably different journeys through junior tennis, Ryan as a top-ranked junior with international experience, and Steve as a late starter who played multiple sports before discovering tennis. Despite their contrasting paths, both ultimately competed at San Diego State University and dedicated their careers to developing the next generation of players.

In this introductory episode, they explore:

✅ Why there is no single "right" pathway to success in tennis
✅ How tennis builds grit, resilience, discipline, and life skills
✅ The evolving journey from junior tennis to college and professional tennis
✅ The role parents, coaches, and opportunities play in player development
✅ Why San Diego has become one of the premier tennis communities in the world
✅ How Youth Tennis San Diego and the Barnes Tennis Center are creating opportunities for players of all backgrounds

The hosts also preview future episodes featuring professional players, college coaches, recruiters, parents, industry leaders, and innovators from the worlds of tennis, pickleball, and padel.

Whether you're a player, parent, coach, or fan of racquet sports, The Serving the Future Show is your inside look at the people, pathways, and principles that shape success on and off the court.

Follow along and join the conversation as we explore what it truly takes to develop champions and great people.

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.