Episodes
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Day 9 of our Wimbledon 2026 daily live series, recorded inside the grounds. Brought to you by Novellus.
Live every night at 9pm UK across the Wimbledon fortnight, with Wimbledon champions, tennis icons and special guests joining Dan to break down the day's biggest stories from inside the grounds at SW19.
In this episode:
Major Moments (brought to you by SotoTennis Academy)Sinner into his 10th Grand Slam semi-final at 24, one of only 5 players since 2000 to reach 10 men's singles semis at the majors before turning 25 alongside Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and AlcarazSinner beats Struff to extend his Wimbledon winning streak to 12 and reach the semi-finals of his title defenceCoco Gauff into her first Wimbledon semi-final with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Jessica Pegula, who was playing her first ever Centre Court matchKarolina Muchova through past Naomi Osaka, setting up a Gauff vs Muchova semi-final and a chance for Gauff to extend her 6-1 head-to-head recordTennisAthlete Player of the Day: Coco GauffPatten and Heliovaara win their third consecutive 7-6 in the thirdKen Skupski joins the show on coaching his younger brother Neal to the 2023 Wimbledon men's doubles titleKen on the emotional control it takes to sit in the box and be the calm face his brother needed on the biggest day of his careerThe Wimbledon Quickfire with Ken SkupskiDear Dan: the process of a coach and pro player starting to work together, and what a dream recovery day at a Grand Slam actually looks likeTomorrow on the show: Day 10 delivers the men's semi-finals, plus Dabrowski and Stefani in their women's doubles quarter-final on Court 2.
About Control the Controllables Wimbledon Live
Dan Kiernan and a different special guest every night, bringing you analysis from inside the grounds at Wimbledon. Wimbledon champions, tennis icons, players, coaches and analysts join across the fortnight. Live every evening at 9pm UK on the CTC YouTube channel. Episodes drop as podcasts the next morning wherever you get your podcasts.
Send your Dear Dan questions via Instagram @ctc.podcast or email [email protected].
Brought to you by Novellus.
Major Moments segment brought to you by SotoTennis Academy. Visit sototennis.com.
Player of the Day brought to you by TennisAthlete, age-appropriate, research-backed strength and conditioning programmes from proven S&C coaches. The platform Dan recommends for physical development. Visit sototennis.com/tennisathlete.
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Day 8 of our Wimbledon 2026 daily live series, recorded inside the grounds. Brought to you by Novellus.
Live every night at 9pm UK across the Wimbledon fortnight, with Wimbledon champions, tennis icons and special guests joining Dan to break down the day's biggest stories from inside the grounds at SW19.
In this episode:
Major Moments (brought to you by SotoTennis Academy): Arthur Fery does it again, from two sets to one and a break down to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finalsTaylor Fritz cruises past Alexander Bublik The women's draw guaranteed to produce the 10th different champion in 10 years, Paolini won through 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 over Alexandra EalaTennisAthlete Player of the Day: Arthur Fery A big day in the men's doubles: Cash and Glasspool through in three, Arévalo and Pavić beat Rojer and Winegar, Krajicek and Middelkoop through the QFs, Skupski and Harrison out to the alternatesMartin Lee joins the show, the 1995 Wimbledon boys' doubles champion with James Trotman, on the day that made front-page news ahead of Sampras beating Becker in the men's finalMartin on Boris Becker's speech that night, when he said out loud he didn't know what was going on on Court One but it sounded "a lot more exciting than this court"The Wimbledon Quickfire with Martin LeeDear Dan: Mertens' upset of Rybakina and whether she's the real threat now, and how the men's doubles game has evolved since Dan's playing daysTomorrow on the show: Day 9 brings the first men's quarter-finals of the fortnight, plus the Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani women's doubles action Dan is coaching on Court 12 at 1 pm 7th July so make sure to tune in to watch!
About Control the Controllables Wimbledon Live
Dan Kiernan and a different special guest every night, bringing you analysis from inside the grounds at Wimbledon. Wimbledon champions, tennis icons, players, coaches and analysts join across the fortnight. Live every evening at 9pm UK on the CTC YouTube channel. Episodes drop as podcasts the next morning wherever you get your podcasts.
Send your Dear Dan questions via Instagram @ctc.podcast or email [email protected].
Brought to you by Novellus.
Major Moments segment brought to you by SotoTennis Academy. Visit sototennis.com.
Player of the Day brought to you by TennisAthlete, age-appropriate, research-backed strength and conditioning programmes from proven S&C coaches. The platform Dan recommends for physical development. Visit sototennis.com/tennisathlete.
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Day 7 of our Wimbledon 2026 daily live series, recorded inside the grounds. Brought to you by Novellus.
Live every night at 9pm UK across the Wimbledon fortnight, with Wimbledon champions, tennis icons and special guests joining Dan to break down the day's biggest stories from inside the grounds at SW19.
In this episode:
Major Moments (brought to you by SotoTennis Academy): the world No. 1 out, the defending champion out, and Wimbledon 2026 guaranteed a first-time women's championNaomi Osaka beats Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 7-6(2) on Centre Court to reach her first ever Wimbledon quarter-finalKarolina Muchova beats defending champion Barbora Krejcikova 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 in an all-Czech thrillerJessica Pegula fights back from a set down to beat 18-year-old Iva Jovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-1Jan-Lennard Struff into his first ever Grand Slam quarter-final at 36, after Hubert Hurkacz retires hurt from two sets to love upNovak Djokovic through to the quarter-finals in another tough four-setter, closing on major title No. 25Felix Auger-Aliassime from a set down to beat Davidovich Fokina, on a collision course with DjokovicTennisAthlete Player of the Day: Naomi Osaka, the physical rebuild after motherhood, back to beating the World No. 1Jonathan Overend joins the show live from the BBC Radio 5 Live commentary box on Centre Court, mid-Sinner match, as the roof closes above himJonathan takes Dan back to 7 July 2013 and the Andy Murray Wimbledon final, from the same seat he's sitting in tonightJonathan on the extraordinary 40-love championship point game, why Djokovic might have been the favourite at 40-love, and how Andy Murray closed it outDan on watching Ivan Lendl and Andy Murray from the box in the 2012 Australian Open semi-final and the moment he saw belief descendThe Wimbledon Quickfire with Jonathan OverendDear Dan: which men's doubles teams look most dangerous heading into the QFs, and which doubles team from history would Dan most love to have coachedTomorrow on the show: Manic Monday delivers all four men's quarter-finals from the top half of the draw, plus the Fery vs Dimitrov story that has all of British tennis holding its breath.
About Control the Controllables Wimbledon Live
Dan Kiernan and a different special guest every night, bringing you analysis from inside the grounds at Wimbledon. Wimbledon champions, tennis icons, players, coaches and analysts join across the fortnight. Live every evening at 9pm UK on the CTC YouTube channel. Episodes drop as podcasts the next morning wherever you get your podcasts.
Send your Dear Dan questions via Instagram @ctc.podcast or email [email protected].
Brought to you by Novellus Finance.
Major Moments segment brought to you by SotoTennis Academy. Visit sototennis.com.
Player of the Day brought to you by TennisAthlete, age-appropriate, research-backed strength and conditioning programmes from proven S&C coaches. The platform Dan recommends for physical development. Visit sototennis.com/tennisathlete.
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Day 6 of our Wimbledon 2026 daily live series, recorded inside the grounds. Brought to you by Novellus.
Live every night at 9pm UK across the Wimbledon fortnight, with Wimbledon champions, tennis icons and special guests joining Dan to break down the day's biggest stories from inside the grounds at SW19.
In this episode:
Major Moments (brought to you by SotoTennis Academy): a day of women's upsets and a British wildcard writing history on Court 18Iga Świątek out to Alexandra Eala 7-6, 6-2, the first Filipino ever into the second week of a Grand SlamRybakina beaten by Elise Mertens 7-6, 6-1 on a poor day at the office, with only 42% of first serves in playAmanda Anisimova out to Madison Keys 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, last year's finalist goneArthur Fery beats Zizou Bergs 2-6, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6, 7-6 in four and a half hours to become only the sixth British male in the last 40 years to reach Week 2 at WimbledonTennisAthlete Player of the Day: Alexandra Eala, seven years at the Rafa Nadal Academy, her body and mind built for the biggest stageDanny Sapsford joins the show on his 1999 Wimbledon run through pre-qualifying, qualifying, and into the third round to face Pete Sampras on Court OneDanny on why he decided not to warm up for the biggest match of his life, and what it was like standing across from Sampras' serve for the first timeDanny on retiring at 30 to become an LTA coach, and the charity work through Bright Ideas for Tennis that has raised over £1 million and coached 30,000+ playersThe Wimbledon Quickfire with Danny: his memory of standing on Centre Court behind Björn Borg as a kid, his favourite ever champion, and the strawberries and cream questionThe Andrew Foster story, the last British wildcard to make Week 2 at Wimbledon in 1993, whom Danny had run into that very dayA special moment on the doubles side: Julian Rojer, 45 years old, five-time Slam doubles champion, into R3 with Theo Winegar in a properly told journeyman storyDear Dan: the next Grand Slam winner from the current generation, and Dan's favourite moment of Week 1Tomorrow on the show: Jonathan Overend joins Dan, the broadcaster who commentated on Andy Murray's first Wimbledon title in 2013, ending Britain's 77-year wait for a men's singles champion.
About Control the Controllables Wimbledon Live
Dan Kiernan and a different special guest every night, bringing you analysis from inside the grounds at Wimbledon. Wimbledon champions, tennis icons, players, coaches and analysts join across the fortnight. Live every evening at 9pm UK on the CTC YouTube channel. Episodes drop as podcasts the next morning wherever you get your podcasts.
Send your Dear Dan questions via Instagram @ctc.podcast or email [email protected].
Brought to you by Novellus.
Major Moments segment brought to you by SotoTennis Academy. Visit sototennis.com.
Player of the Day brought to you by TennisAthlete, age-appropriate, research-backed strength and conditioning programmes from proven S&C coaches. The platform Dan recommends for physical development. Visit sototennis.com/tennisathlete.
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CTC Wimbledon Live: Day 5, Calvin Betton, the Doubles Battle and the "Older Boys" Doing Their Job
Day 5 of our Wimbledon 2026 daily live series, recorded inside the grounds. Brought to you by Novellus.
Live every night at 9pm UK across the Wimbledon fortnight, with Wimbledon champions, tennis icons and special guests joining Dan to break down the day's biggest stories from inside the grounds at SW19.
Dan and Calvin talk on the fight for the future of doubles
There's a fight going on off the court this week that could reshape the sport for a generation. The ATP's proposed changes would cut doubles draws, shift the prize money split further in favour of singles, and effectively push doubles specialists out of the game. Dan shares his unfiltered take tonight, plus what current Wimbledon champions Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool said publicly today, and Calvin Betton's fired-up response.
In this episode:
Major Moments (brought to you by SotoTennis Academy): the older boys deliver as Sinner and Djokovic cruise into R4, while the young stars fall on grassDjokovic beats Rinderknech in four to equal Federer's all-time Wimbledon record of 105 match winsSinner past Brooksby 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 with 13 aces, into R4 for a fifth consecutive yearTennisAthlete Player of the Day: Shintaro Mochizuki, the 2019 Wimbledon boys' champion turned qualifier turned R4-bound, seven matches in eight days at SW19Calvin Betton on coaching Patten and Heliövaara to the 2024 Wimbledon title, and being the "face of reason" in the box when everyone else was overwhelmedCalvin's unfiltered defence of doubles: why the ATP is a governing body not a business, why "not financially viable" doesn't hold up, and why the 2024 Wimbledon final was proofThe Wimbledon Quickfire with Calvin: the Agassi 1991 all-white moment, his Wimbledon guilty pleasure, and his one thing he'd change about The ChampionshipsDear Dan: an insider tip for a first-time Wimbledon visitor, and what Dan actually loves about being a coach on the pro tourTomorrow on the show: Middle Saturday at Wimbledon, with Danny Sapsford joining Dan.
About Control the Controllables Wimbledon Live
Dan Kiernan and a different special guest every night, bringing you analysis from inside the grounds at Wimbledon. Wimbledon champions, tennis icons, players, coaches and analysts join across the fortnight. Live every evening at 9pm UK on the CTC YouTube channel.Episodes drop as podcasts the next morning wherever you get your podcasts.
Send your Dear Dan questions via Instagram @ctc.podcast or email [email protected].
Major Moments segment brought to you by SotoTennis Academy. Visit sototennis.com.
Player of the Day brought to you by TennisAthlete, age-appropriate, research-backed strength and conditioning programmes from proven S&C coaches. The platform Dan recommends for physical development. Visit sototennis.com/tennisathlete.
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Day 3 of our Wimbledon 2026 daily live series, recorded inside the grounds.
Brought to you by Novellus.
Live every night at 9pm UK across the Wimbledon fortnight, with Wimbledon champions, tennis icons and special guests joining Dan to break down the day's biggest stories from inside the grounds at SW19.
A quick note: today's episode runs a little longer than usual as Dan and Freddie dive into the significant news emerging around proposed ATP doubles changes and what they could mean for the future of the sport.
In this episode:
Major Moments (brought to you by SotoTennis Academy): Krejcikova ends Mirra Andreeva's Wimbledon hopes, Dan's Bartunkova prediction comes good, and Jannik Sinner records his 95th Grand Slam winBublik and Kyrgios lose to Arevalo and Pavic, sparking a passionate discussion with Freddie Nielsen on the future of doubles and the proposed ATP changesDan Evans' retirement announcement, his unforgettable Washington title run, and why his career should be celebratedFreddie relives his 2012 Wimbledon title run with Jonathan Marray, including the famous "If Carlsberg did moments to live for" exchange before serving for the titleThe Wimbledon Quickfire with FreddieTennisAthlete Player of the Day: Jenson Brooksby, completing one of tennis's most remarkable comeback storiesDear Dan: what separates the world's best doubles players, coaching Grand Slam finals, and Dan's favourite court at WimbledonTomorrow on the show: Jonny O'Mara joins Dan to preview Day 4 at SW19About Control the Controllables Wimbledon Live
Dan Kiernan and a different special guest every night, bringing you analysis from inside the grounds at Wimbledon. Wimbledon champions, tennis icons, players, coaches and analysts join across the fortnight. Live every evening at 9pm UK on the CTC YouTube channel.
Send your Dear Dan questions via Instagram @ctc.podcast or email [email protected].
Brought to you by Novellus.
Major Moments segment brought to you by SotoTennis Academy. Visit sototennis.com.
Player of the Day brought to you by TennisAthlete, age-appropriate, research-backed strength and conditioning programmes from proven S&C coaches. The platform Dan recommends for physical development. Visit: sototennis.com/tennisathlete.
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Day 2 of our Wimbledon 2026 daily live series, recorded inside the grounds. Brought to you by Novellus.
Live every night at 9pm UK across the Wimbledon fortnight, with Wimbledon champions, tennis icons and special guests joining Dan to break down the day's biggest stories from inside the grounds at SW19.
In this episode:
Major Moments (brought to you by SotoTennis Academy): the curse of the grass court champions, with Cerundolo and Shelton both out in round one, and Bergs surviving the Eastbourne final repeatBen Shelton's stunning loss to Finnish qualifier Otto Virtanen 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 6-2, 7-6 in the final-set tiebreakDan's "Two Jacobs" moment from the players' cafeteria, a story about Jakub Mensik and Jacob Fearnley that's worth the listen aloneBritish comeback Tuesday, with Fearnley's two-set fightback against Michelsen, plus wins for Arthur Fery and Katie SwanLive updates from Serena Williams' Centre Court return against Maya Joint, recorded as the match was unfoldingTennisAthlete Player of the Day: Katie Swan, coaching in Kansas eighteen months ago, World No. 1,114 in her rear-view mirror, back at Wimbledon and winning against the same player she beat eight years agoErin Routliffe joins the show on her 2024 Wimbledon final run with Gaby DabrowskiErin on facing Serena Williams twice in 12 days at Queen's and now Wimbledon, including the moment in their first meeting that she's still kicking herself overErin's honest take on stepping away from tennis, working a "real job", and what brought her backThe Wimbledon Quickfire with Erin: childhood Wimbledon memories, Taylor Swift walk-on songs, the one thing she'd change about The ChampionshipsDear Dan: the atmosphere in the players' area at a Slam, what makes Wimbledon different from every other tournament, and the physical quality that matters most on grassTomorrow on the show: Freddie Nielsen, 2012 Wimbledon men's doubles champion, joins Dan as Day 3 brings round-two action and the second wave of the British contingent into play.
About Control the Controllables Wimbledon Live
Dan Kiernan and a different special guest every night, bringing you analysis from inside the grounds at Wimbledon. Wimbledon champions, tennis icons, players, coaches and analysts join across the fortnight. Live every evening at 9pm UK on the CTC YouTube channel. Episodes drop as podcasts the next morning wherever you get your podcasts.
Send your Dear Dan questions via Instagram @ctc.podcast or email [email protected].
Brought to you by Novellus.
Major Moments segment brought to you by SotoTennis Academy. Visit sototennis.com.
Player of the Day brought to you by TennisAthlete, age-appropriate, research-backed strength and conditioning programmes from proven S&C coaches. The platform Dan recommends for physical development. Visit sototennis.com/tennisathlete.
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The first episode of our Wimbledon 2026 daily live series, recorded inside the grounds on Day 1 of The Championships. Brought to you by Novellus.
Live every night at 9 pm UK across the Wimbledon fortnight, with Wimbledon champions, tennis icons and special guests joining Dan to break down the day's biggest stories from inside the grounds at SW19.
In this episode:
Major Moments (brought to you by SotoTennis Academy): Raducanu and Draper both withdrew, Norrie beaten in five by qualifier Michael Zheng, and a brutal Day 1 for the British contingentJannik Sinner survives a three-and-a-half-hour scare against Kecmanović, including the Centre Court fall that briefly stopped playTennisAthlete Player of the Day: Michael Zheng, the Columbia graduate ranked No. 144 who outlasted Norrie over four hours.Lloyd Glasspool joins the show on what it feels like coming back as defending champion, the surreal moment of seeing his face on the wall, and why he didn't celebrate the title the way everyone expectedLloyd's honest take on the British injuriesThe Wimbledon Quickfire with Lloyd: first memories, favourite British food, greatest grass-court players and the celebrity he'd want courtsideDear Dan: scouting opposition and the young players to watch this fortnightTomorrow on the show: Erin Routliffe joins Dan as Day 2 brings Katie Boulter, Jacob Fearnley, Arthur Fery, Jan Choinski, Toby Samuel, Billy Harris and Katie Swan into action, plus the Centre Court return of Serena Williams.
About Control the Controllables Wimbledon Live
Dan Kiernan and a different special guest every night, bringing you analysis from inside the grounds at Wimbledon. Wimbledon champions, tennis icons, players, coaches and analysts join across the fortnight. Live every evening at 9pm UK on the CTC YouTube channel. Episodes drop as podcasts the next morning wherever you get your podcasts.
Send your Dear Dan questions via Instagram @ctc.podcast or email [email protected].
Brought to you by Novellus Finance.
Major Moments segment brought to you by SotoTennis Academy -visit sototennis.com.
Player of the Day brought to you by TennisAthlete -age-appropriate, research-backed strength and conditioning programmes from proven S&C coaches. The platform Dan recommends for physical development. Visit sototennis.com/tennisathlete.
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It is Wimbledon time! Dan is Joined by the ever present Freddie Nielsen, Denmark Davis Cup Captain and 2012 Wimbledon doubles champion, and Kieran Vorster, S&C coach and one of the sharpest minds in the game, currently working with Henry Searle and Dan Evans among others.
There is plenty to get into before a ball has even been struck, from retirements and comebacks to doping bans and prize money rows.
You will have to listen to find out who they are backing, and there are a couple of calls in there that might surprise you!
Key talking points:
Dan Evans retires from singles and misses out on a Wimbledon singles wild card, with Kieran and Freddie paying tribute to his career and discussing what he brings to coaching, and whether the communication around the wild card decision was handled well.Vondrousova was banned for four years after refusing a doping test outside her guaranteed whereabouts window, with the panel breaking down the rules, the context and whether the punishment fits the circumstances.Wimbledon prize money is up twenty percent but Kieran has the actual numbers to show it still only represents around twelve percent of turnover, and why the players may be pushing for change in the wrong place.Serena Williams gets a wild card into the singles draw and faces Maya Joint in the first round, with the panel debating whether she can win a match and what her return means for the sport.Women's dark horses and winner picks across both draws, with some bold calls and a couple of genuine outside shouts you will not want to miss.Men's draw highlights including Fritz versus Draper, Fonseca versus Felix Auger-Aliassime, Kyrgios and Bublik paired together in the doubles, and a fascinating and heated debate on whether Djokovic can go deep again.The introduction of video review on the show courts at Wimbledon and what difference it will actually make.Chapters
00:00 Welcome and introduction
03:00 Dan Evans, his retirement and the wild card debate
10:00 Vondrousova and the four year doping ban
16:00 Wimbledon prize money and the twenty percent increase
24:00 Serena Williams wild card and first round draw
32:00 Women's dark horses and winner picks
42:00 Men's draw, dark horses and first round highlights
52:00 The Djokovic debate
56:00 Video review at Wimbledon and storylines to watch
Also, CTC Wimbledon Live Shows ARE BACK!. Live on YouTube and uploaded on all podcast platforms!
THE backstage pass to Wimbledon 2026, through the eyes of the coaches and insiders living it from the inside.
Each evening at 9 pm UK time throughout the fortnight!
Watch Live here: CTC YouTube
Segments include:
Wimbledon Stories - Where Wimbledon icons join as guests each episode to tell their most memorable championship stories!
The “Major” Moments - Talking about all the big talking points of the day's Wimbledon action! Brought to you by SotoTennis Academy.
Tennis Athlete’s Player Of The Day - Deciding the best player with the best performance of the day! Brought to you by Tennis Athlete.
Quick Fire Round - A Wimbledon-themed set of rapid questions!
Dear Dan - Where Dan answers your questions! Any questions, including the experience at Wimbledon, coaching advice, behind-the-scenes questions, anything you want!
Send in your questions for Dan via our live comment section or our Instagram DM:
CTC Instagram here 🔗
Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾
For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop. TennisAthlete is an online Strength & Conditioning platform, designed specifically for tennis players who want structured, affordable and flexible training. Wherever they are in the world. TennisAthlete helps you stay consistent, improve performance, and train with purpose. Train smarter. Anywhere.
TennisAthlete
Thank you everyone for listening!
Never miss a Wimbledon live show this fortnight!
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This week Dan is joined by ATP pro Zach Svajda, fresh off a stunning run to the last 16 of Roland Garros 2026.
There he beat the heat, the occasion and a host of higher ranked players before falling to eventual finalist Flavio Cobolli in a fourth set tie break. Currently ranked 69 in the world with a career high of 62, Zach is 23 and only just getting started.
This is a genuinely special and emotional conversation. Zach opens up about the unconventional path that got him to top level tennis, from using a full size racket at age two to taking nearly five years away from junior tournaments, busting a host of tennis development myths along the way.
Zach also reflects movingly on the loss of his father to cancer and how that continues to shape why he plays.
Key talking points:
Zach's remarkable Roland Garros run to the last 16 despite his lack of clay court experience.What it felt like inside the locker room in Paris the day Sinner went out.The unconventional development path set by his fatherZach talks about the impact of the passing of his father and how he carries his memory and lessons with him on court.He tells us what is was like playing Novak Djokovic on Arthur Ashe at the US Open.His relationship with younger brother Trevor, a rising college star, and the prospect of the two one day facing off on tour.A brilliant and honest conversation with a player on the rise. Make sure to give this one a listen.
Read full shownotes here.
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Connect with us: Instagram | Website | EmailFollow Zach on Instagram: @zachsvadjaSotoTennis AcademyMentioned in this episode:
Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾
For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.TennisAthlete is an online Strength & Conditioning platform, designed specifically for tennis players who want structured, affordable and flexible training. Wherever they are in the world.TennisAthlete helps you stay consistent, improve performance, and train with purpose. Train smarter. Anywhere.
TennisAthlete
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Our Roland Garros 2026 Review Show is here!
What a fortnight in Paris it´s been, with two new Grand Slam Champions in Sascha Zverev & Mirra Andreeva.
Host Dan Kiernan is joined by Denmark Davis Cup Captain Freddie Nielsen and GB doubles coach Calvin Betton to look back on a quite extraordinary French Open.
Calvin joins us fresh from coaching Henry Patten and Harri Heliövaara to their third Grand Slam final and their first ever world number one ranking in men's doubles, so there is plenty to get stuck into from the off.
Key talking points:
Henry and Harry reach the Roland Garros final and claim the world number 1 ranking, with Calvin giving an honest account of what went wrong on the day.Sinner's shock exit and whether it was truly an upset, or the inevitable result of an overcrowded schedule catching up with him.Fonseca versus Djokovic and whether Roland Garros 2026 was the moment a future Grand Slam champion announced himself on the biggest stage.Zverev wins his first Grand Slam but the panel debate whether men's tennis is currently lacking variety and real tactical depth.Mirra Andreeva wins the women's title age 19, plus the remarkable story of qualifier Maja Chwalinska reaching the final.The Italian tennis culture, Roland Garros and electronic line calling, plus a few strong opinions on how the tournament is run.On to the grass!
This episode is brought to you by Novellus Finance
Connect with us:
Instagram: ctc.podcastWebsite: www.controlthecontrollables.co.ukWatch the full video version over on the Control the Controllables YouTube Channel
Mentioned in this episode:
Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾
For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.TennisAthlete is an online Strength & Conditioning platform, designed specifically for tennis players who want structured, affordable and flexible training. Wherever they are in the world.TennisAthlete helps you stay consistent, improve performance, and train with purpose. Train smarter. Anywhere.
TennisAthlete
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Our CTC Live series continues from Roland Garros 2026! Host Dan Kiernan is joined by broadcaster Candy Reid and performance analyst Mike James to round up an extraordinary first week at the French Open.
From Fonseca's stunning comeback against Djokovic to Sinner's shock exit in the heat, the drama has been non-stop. Dan also gives us a first-hand account of being at the tournament with his players, including a brilliant moment with Landaluce after his 5hr 58 minute epic.
This is the place to go for a round-up of Roland Garros action from a coach's perspective.
Key talking points:
Jannik Sinner's shock exit to Cerundolo in the heat, with Mike noting odds of 12,500 to 1 on that result, and Candy raising an interesting theory about redheads and the MC1R gene explaining Sinner's struggles in extreme temperatures.Fonseca's extraordinary comeback from two sets down to beat Novak Djokovic, with Dan sharing what it was like to witness that match in person sitting next to the Fonseca family, and the panel debating whether it was Novak's Roland Garros farewell.Rafael Jodar continuing his run and the unprecedented state of the men's draw, with no former Grand Slam champion remaining in the last 16 for the first time since 1968.The injury crisis gripping the tournament?Marta Kostyuk beating Iga Swiatek and her remarkable mindset, with Mike sharing a powerful insight about her playing on the same day she received a photo of her family home being destroyed back in Ukraine.The Vallejo umpire controversy, with the panel giving a balanced take and calling for the matter to be put to rest following his apology.Each CTC Live episode streams on YouTube during the fortnight. Search Control the Controllables Podcast and follow our Instagram and Twitter for the latest live times!
Chapters 00:00 Welcome and tournament atmosphere from Paris
04:00 Sinner's exit, Hada's rise and the unprecedented men's draw
08:00 Fonseca vs Djokovic, a match for the ages
14:00 The injury crisis and the roof court debate
22:00 Marta Kostyuk's mindset and win over Swiatek
32:00 Women's draw quarter final preview
40:00 Sabalenka vs Osaka preview and what to expect
43:00 The Vallejo controversy
YouTube: Control the Controllables Podcast
Instagram: ctc.podcast Twitter
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TikTok: Control the Controllables Podcast
Thank you everyone for listening!
Follow @ctc.podcast on Instagram to be the first to know when we are going live from Paris throughout the fortnight!
Watch the full video version over on the Control the Controllables YouTube channel.
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Listen to Dan and guest Freddie Nielsen chat through all the action from Day 4 & 5 at Roland Garros, including the shock departure of Jannik Sinner.
They analyse what went wrong for Sinner, key upcoming matches, and who they think could now lift the trophy.
Key TopicsYannick Sinner's unexpected exit and the implications for men's singlesWith the men´s draw wide open, anyone from Felix to Zverev or Cerundolo could take the titleHeat, mental fatigue, and injuries are influencing player performances more than everDoubles draw controversies and rule changes affecting participationEmerging young talents and dark horses in the tournament
Connect with us!Website: https://www.controlthecontrollables.comEmail us: [email protected]This episode is sponsored by Novellus Finance: https://www.novellusfinance.com/uk/
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Our CTC Live series is back for Roland Garros 2026, bringing you first-hand updates from the courts of Paris!
Sponsored by Novellus Finance: https://novellusfinance.com/uk/
In this episode, Dan is joined by Calvin Betton, a 2 time Grand Slam-winning coach, live from the tournament, to break down the action from the first three days. They cover the extraordinary heat gripping Paris, the big seeds falling, integrity questions around the doubles draw, and some brilliant stories from inside the locker room and beyond.
This is the place to go for a quick round-up of Roland Garros action from a coach's perspective.
Key talking points:
Temperatures hitting 37 degrees Celsius in Paris and how the courts are staying surprisingly slow despite the heat, thanks to Roland Garros's unique watering and salting process.Big names out early, including Taylor Fritz, Medvedev and Bublik, plus Jessica Pegula going out to Kim Birrell on day three.The doubles draw integrity debate, with six first-round withdrawals and singles players pocketing prize money without hitting a ball.The Serena Williams comeback rumours, with Calvin giving a frank take on wildcards, integrity and whether the sport should be rolling out the red carpet.A brilliant exclusive Gael Monfils story from a five-a-side football game at the National Tennis Centre.French youngster Kwame, born in 2009, is impressing on his Roland Garros debut and drawing comparisons to a young Wayne Rooney.Each CTC Live episode streams on YouTube during the fortnight. Search Control the Controllables Podcast and follow our Instagram and Twitter for the latest live times!
Chapters
00:00 Welcome, the Paris heat and court conditions
06:30 Integrity in the doubles draw and prize money controversy
15:00 Serena Williams comeback rumours and the wildcard debate
22:00 Bublik's behaviour and a Medvedev tribute
30:00 Monfils, Wawrinka and the end of an era
36:00 French youngster Kwame and the next generation 40:00 Can anyone stop Sinner? The men's and women's draws were reviewed
Follow @ctc.podcast on Instagram to be the first to know when we are going live from Paris throughout the fortnight!
Watch the full video version over here: https://www.youtube.com/@ctc.podcast.
YouTube: Control the Controllables Podcast
Website: https://www.controlthecontrollables.c...
Email us: [email protected]
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We're back for Roland Garros 2026! Host Dan Kiernan is joined by our Grand Slam panellists, two of them live from Paris during qualifying week, to preview all the action we can expect from the clay courts over the next fortnight.
They discuss the Carlos Alcaraz injury situation and the wider player burnout debate, the future of US college tennis, and the prize money controversy making headlines at this year's tournament. Plus dark horses across both draws, key storylines to watch, and their winner predictions!
Meet our panellists:
Denmark's Davis Cup Captain and coach of August Holmgren, Freddie NielsenPerformance analyst and coach Mike James making his panel debut!Sports broadcaster and former CNN anchor Candy ReidKey talking points:
Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from both Roland Garros and Wimbledon with a wrist injury, and the panel debate whether rising ball speeds, heavier balls and relentless scheduling are pushing players beyond their physical limits.US college tennis is at a crossroads, with the Arkansas programme cuts a sign of things to come as NIL money floods into football and basketball and squeezes tennis budgets at major universities.The panel share their genuine dark horse picks across both draws, with some bold names put forward on the men's side in particular.Top players are reportedly refusing all non-mandatory press at Roland Garros as a prize money protest, and the panel debate whether they are targeting the right thing.Will Yannick Sinner march to a dominant Roland Garros title, or will the wide open draws on both sides deliver a first-time Grand Slam champion? The panel have their say and there are some bold calls in there.
Who do you think will be this year's Roland Garros champions? Tag @ctc.podcast on Instagram or Twitter or drop us an email to let us know who you're backing!
Links mentioned in this episode:
Listen to: August Holmgren: Wimbledon Sensation and Challenger ChampionListen to: Candy Reid, From the Court to CNNListen to: Mike James - A Numbers GameListen to: Freddie Nielsen & Jonny Marray Part One: Pre Wimbledon 2012Mentioned in this episode:
Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾
For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.TennisAthlete is an online Strength & Conditioning platform, designed specifically for tennis players who want structured, affordable and flexible training. Wherever they are in the world.TennisAthlete helps you stay consistent, improve performance, and train with purpose. Train smarter. Anywhere.
TennisAthlete
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Today´s episode is a tribute to one of sport's greatest minds Dr. Jim Loehr, who sadly passed away last month aged 83.
Dr. Loehr was one of the world’s leading performance psychologists and a true pioneer in mental fitness. Across a remarkable five-decade career, he worked with hundreds of elite athletes including Grand Slam champions Jim Courier, Monica Seles and Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario.
His work helped transform the way athletes viewed mental performance — not as a weakness, but as an essential part of achieving greatness.
We were incredibly fortunate to welcome Dr. Loehr onto the podcast in 2021, and his episode remains one of the most listened-to conversations on Control the Controllables.
In this special CTC Short, Dan reflects on Dr. Loehr’s impact on tennis and sport before revisiting a powerful clip from their original conversation.
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Listen to Dr Jim Loehr´s episode in fullEpisode 120: Marcus DaniellHigh Impact AthletesSotoTennis Academy
"Treatment of others is the gold standard of a fulfilled and satisfying life." - Dr. Jim LoehrMentioned in this episode:
Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾
For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.TennisAthlete is an online Strength & Conditioning platform, designed specifically for tennis players who want structured, affordable and flexible training. Wherever they are in the world.TennisAthlete helps you stay consistent, improve performance, and train with purpose. Train smarter. Anywhere.
TennisAthlete
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What does it really take to coach at the very top of the game?
And how does a 32-year-old coach find himself leading the journey of one of the fastest-rising players in world tennis?
In this episode of Control the Controllables, we sit down with Maxime Tchoutakian, the coach of Vicky Mboko — a 19-year-old who has taken the tennis world by storm, breaking into the Top 10 in less than a year.
But Max’s story is just as compelling as the player he now coaches.
Ranked 530 in the world as a player, he took the US college route at Baylor University, rebuilt his career from scratch after COVID, and walked into the Mouratoglou Academy with no clear coaching plan, only to have one practice with Victoria Azarenka and receive a call from her agent 30 minutes later.
What he shares in this episode gives a rare, honest look at what it really means to operate inside the world's best tennis teams.
In this episode:
What it was actually like telling a former World Number 1 how to improve her game at age 26.The moment Azarenka asked him to become her full-time coach and how scary that felt.Why adaptation is the single most important skill to survive life on the WTA tour.His honest take on whether coaches are paid well enough for what they sacrifice.What makes Victoria Mboko so special and why Max believes she will win multiple Grand Slams.The brutal truth about French tennis: why talented kids keep falling short when it matters most.His biggest coaching regret and why he wishes he'd trusted himself sooner.CONNECT WITH CONTROL THE CONTROLLABLES
Website: https://www.controlthecontrollables.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctc.podcast/Email us: [email protected]Mentioned in this episode:
Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾
For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.TennisAthlete is an online Strength & Conditioning platform, designed specifically for tennis players who want structured, affordable and flexible training. Wherever they are in the world.TennisAthlete helps you stay consistent, improve performance, and train with purpose. Train smarter. Anywhere.
TennisAthlete
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A tribute to a British tennis legend.
This week on Control the Controllables, we're marking the retirement of one of Great Britain´s greatest ever players, Jamie Murray.
7 Grand Slam titles. 39 tour-level titles. World Number 1. Davis Cup Winner & Olympian. The man who put British doubles on the map and helped spark a generation of GB doubles players that continue to thrive on the tour today.
We went back into the archives to pull out one of our favourite moments from our episode with Jamie back in 2020. This short clip is a perfect reminder of just what a remarkable person and player he is.
In this episode:
The story of Jamie's Wimbledon title age 21.Why zero expectation was the secret weapon that fuelled that Wimbledon run.How expectation and pressure change as a career develops.How he felt reaching World Number 1.Becoming Jamie, not just Andy Murray’s brother.Why Dan thinks his impact on tennis will contine.From all of us at Control the Controllables, congratulations Jamie. What a career. What a legacy.
Control the Controllables episodes Jamie Murray features in:
Episode 13: Jamie Murray - From Dunblane to the top of the world!
Is Opelka Right - Should Doubles be Scrapped?
CONNECT WITH CONTROL THE CONTROLLABLES
Website: https://www.controlthecontrollables.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctc.podcast/Email us: [email protected]Mentioned in this episode:
Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾
For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.TennisAthlete is an online Strength & Conditioning platform, designed specifically for tennis players who want structured, affordable and flexible training. Wherever they are in the world.TennisAthlete helps you stay consistent, improve performance, and train with purpose. Train smarter. Anywhere.
TennisAthlete
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What does it really look like behind the scenes with the best players in the world?
This week on Control the Controllables, we sit down with Adam Jones -hitting partner to the world's best, doubles professional, and the man behind Forehands & Flat Whites, the Instagram account quietly taking over tennis feeds everywhere.
In 2026 alone, Jonesy has celebrated with the Australian Open women's champion on Rod Laver Arena, hit with Djokovic, Sinner and Rybakina and won his first professional doubles title.
From taking the bus to junior tournaments with his granddad on the Wirral, to camping on a golf course in Portugal because he couldn't afford the hotel, to warming up Alcaraz on Wimbledon centre court before the 2025 final. Adam's story is proof that your path doesn't have to look like everyone else's to be incredible.
What he shares in this episode gives a rare, unfiltered look at what it really takes to operate at the top of the game.
In this episode:
What it’s REALLY like to hit with players like Alcaraz, Djokovic and Sinner.Adam opens up about growing up in Birkenhead and the family sacrifices that made his career possible.How elite players prepare — routines, habits, and attention to detail.How Elena Rybakina went out of her way to make Adam feel part of her Australian Open victory in a moment he'll never forget.Why Adam walked off the court six minutes into a hit with an unnamed American player.Lessons Adam has learned from being inside top players’ teamsHis honest reflection on success, rankings pressure and the mental hole he found himself in earlier in his career.Why personality, connection, and attitude can open doors in tennisFollow Adam Jones on Instagram: @adam_jonesyyy123
CONNECT WITH CONTROL THE CONTROLLABLES
Website: https://www.controlthecontrollables.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctc.podcast/Email us: [email protected]Mentioned in this episode:
Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾
For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.TennisAthlete is an online Strength & Conditioning platform, designed specifically for tennis players who want structured, affordable and flexible training. Wherever they are in the world.TennisAthlete helps you stay consistent, improve performance, and train with purpose. Train smarter. Anywhere.
TennisAthlete
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What if you didn’t have to be a top junior to become a professional tennis player?
In this episode of Control the Controllables, we speak with Belgian professional tennis player Sander Gille, a Roland Garros finalist, Olympic competitor, Davis Cup player and former World No.18 in doubles.
Sander’s journey to the top of the game is anything but traditional. He wasn’t a standout junior, didn’t grow up expecting to turn professional, and at 17 he chose US college tennis simply to continue playing while earning a degree.
After college, Sander decided to give the professional tour a try — funding his early career through crowdfunding, league tennis, and relentless persistence. Years later, that journey led him to the Roland Garros final and the top of the ATP doubles rankings.
This episode is a powerful reminder that there are many different pathways to success in tennis.
In this episode:
Growing up playing multiple sports before choosing tennisWhy Sander never planned to become a professional playerThe decision-making process behind his college career in the US and transitioning to professional tennisHow crowdfunding helped keep his career going early on.How injuries shaped his focus from singles to doubles and lessons learned along the way.Key insights on finding his game, mental resilience, and balancing success with authenticity.Memorable experiences, including playing Andy Murray at the Olympics and reaching a Grand Slam final.Reflections on partnership longevity, team dynamics, and future goals in doubles.If you’re chasing a career in tennis or supporting someone who is, this is a story you need to hear.
CONNECT WITH CONTROL THE CONTROLLABLES
Website: https://www.controlthecontrollables.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctc.podcast/
Email us: [email protected]
Mentioned in this episode:
Train Smarter Anywhere: Strength & Conditioning for Tennis Players On the Go 🎾
For players who don’t always have access to in-person coaching, progress doesn’t have to stop.TennisAthlete is an online Strength & Conditioning platform, designed specifically for tennis players who want structured, affordable and flexible training. Wherever they are in the world.TennisAthlete helps you stay consistent, improve performance, and train with purpose. Train smarter. Anywhere.
TennisAthlete
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