Control the Controllables

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

In today´s episode, Dan is joined by sports journalist Candy Reid to chat through all the latest action from semi-finals day of the WTA Finals in Riyadh.This episode was originally aired live on our Control the Controllables YouTube channel.Listen to Dan & Candy discuss the dynamics of the event, recap matches, preview today´s semi-finals and answer questions from listeners. They also make their picks for who will win the singles and doubles titles! What we do know is that we will have the 10th different winner of the singles event in 10 years tomorrow!Episode Highlights:Dan & Candy discuss the pressures players face during the season and the role of coaches and support staff.They compare the differences in audience engagement and the overall atmosphere in Riyadh to the ATP Finals.How women´s tennis is changing, with more players capable of winning major titles.Why Demi Shuurs´ social media message indicates upcoming changes in women's doubles.Who to look out for in 2026.Our WTA Finals LIVE Round-ups from Riyadh are brought to you by our Sponsor Novellus FinanceFollow the Control the Controllables Podcast on Instagram for all the latest on the show.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

Anger, tears, frustration - all junior players have experienced this at some point on a tennis court - but these are not signs of weakness. In this powerful episode, leading sports Psychologist Dr. Callum Gowling explains how emotion can fuel performance when it’s understood, not punished.With decades of experience working with elite players and coaches, Dr. Gowling breaks down the real challenges tennis players face, from pressure and confidence to stress and relationships, and how honest conversations are the key to unlocking both performance and wellbeing.This is a must-listen episode for players looking to sharpen their mindset, parents who want to better support their children, and coaches aiming to provide more than just technical guidance.Episode Highlights:-How to build self-awareness and face mental challengesWhy early mental development for players is as important as physical developmentThe vital role of parents in an athlete’s journeyMindset strategies to handle stress, pressure, and setbacksWhy maintaining a love for the sport matters mostHow acceptance can reduce stress sensitivityThe never-ending journey of performance, growth, and perspectiveWhy relationships between players, coaches, and parents are keyWatch the full conversation now on our CTC YouTube channel, and follow us on Instagram @ctc.podcast for the latest news and clips.Don´t miss an episode! Sign up to our email list to get exclusive updates, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes insights delivered straight to your inbox.About Dr Callum GowlingDr Callum Gowling is the founder of Liquid Sports Psychology which specialises in helping elite junior athletes thrive. Their unique approach, grounded in doctoral research, combines psychology with strong collaboration between players, parents, and coaches. The focus? Building resilience, self-awareness, and a love for the sport all while preparing juniors for the demands of high-level performance.

A fortnight on from the much anticipated new mixed doubles format at the US Open, Dan chats to Andrea Vavassori on his win with fellow Italian, Sara Errani As the only specialist doubles team invited to enter, they saw off some of the top singles tennis players in the world to successfully defend their US Open Mixed Doubles title.In this live YouTube episode, Dan is joined by Vavassori to talk about the excitement surrounding the event, the energy from the crowds and why winning the event in New York was so important for the doubles game.They also discuss the importance of social media in promoting doubles, and Andrea´s journey from growing up in Turin to a career high doubles ranking of 6 in the world.He also answers questions from CTC listeners, including what he thinks are the key attributes to be a good doubles partner.This is a great listen!Episode Highlights:-They discuss the challenges of gaining respect for doubles players, and the need for stronger partnerships amongst players.The potential to create stars in doubles tennis and why building a brand is essential.Andrea shares insights on his journey as a player, and the dynamics of playing with Sara Errani.Why he decided to specialise in doubles when he was top 130 in the world in singles.How beneficial the Italian tennis community is by being supportive and close-knit.Andrea gives his advice for tennis players starting out on the Futures tour.Head to our CTC YouTube channel to watch the live episode with Andrea.You can also follow us here: Instagram | Tiktok | X

The US Open Mixed Doubles has been the talk of tennis the past few days. The new format has been debated for months, and now it´s over, opinion is still divided!Host Dan Kiernan jumps on to today´s CTC Short to recap the event in New York and look at why it has stirred up such strong feelings in the tennis world. With Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori beating Iga Swiatek & Casper Ruud to sucessfully defend their title, Dan looks at why this feels like a victory for all doubles players.What did you think of the new format? Message us on Instagram or send us an email to ctc.podcast@sototennis.com and let us know! 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