Baseline Exchanges

Baseline Exchanges host Andrew Raeburn, former GB Fed Cup doubles player Anna Smith and coach and analyst Craig Viner discuss the first week and a half of Wimbledon 2021.   They review their pre-tournament predictions – which produced mixed success – and digest the first-week fates of Serena Williams, Andy Murray and Stefanos Tsitsipas.   Anna praises the impact and potential of British teenager Emma Raducanu while Craig talks about how it felt to be among the fans again on the SW19 show courts.

Ahead of Wimbledon, Andrew, Craig and Anna are joined by Marcus Willis, John Parry and Nicole Melichar, who lifts the lid on what it's like to be the centre of attention on Centre Court.   Marcus Willis talks about his famous encounter with Roger Federer in 2016 and the two current top-10 names he beat in qualifying to get there.   Former umpire John Parry, now 82, reminisces about his long career in the chair, which included taking charge of eight Wimbledon finals – most notably the 1987 women's singles final between Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf, and the 1989 men's singles final.   And Nicole Melichar recalls her run to lifting the 2018 mixed-doubles title, being inspired by her Grandmother, and closing out proceedings on Centre Court.   Also, Craig and Anna predict who might emerge triumphant at the end of the fortnight – and we reveal how the tournament only exists because of a broken piece of maintenance equipment.

Following Naomi Osaka's withdrawal from the 2021 French Open, the 'Baseline Exchanges' team chat with WTA Sports psychologist Chantal Duarte & BBC sports journalist Ros Satar about tennis, the media and mental health.We also catch up with tennis strategist Mike James on 'Week One' of Roland Garros and how his work differs during a Grand Slam compared to the regular weeks of the tour.Subjects include:  The stresses on tennis players.  The WTA mental health team working on the tour to support players. The work of journalists at tennis events. The inner workings of tennis press conferences.

In episode 16 of Baseline Exchanges, Andrew Raeburn, Craig Viner and Anna Smith talk to veteran sports broadcaster John Inverdale, presenter of ITV’s coverage of the French Open. John, who in 2021 will be working at his 36th Wimbledon Championships, discusses his earliest memories of SW19, the transformation of Roland-Garros, and foresees an end to Rafael Nadal’s domination in Paris.He also expresses his fears about the sport’s future unless it modernises its formats and comes out from behind TV’s paywall.Meanwhile, analyst Mike James talks about working with French Open champion Iga Świątek and the secrets of her success.POD SUMMARY- John’s early love of tennis and how he only completed his 1977 Wimbledon autograph collection 23 years later!- The new-look Roland Garros being “one of the great sporting venues in Europe.”- Anna and John on how the presence of fans makes such a difference- John’s worry that tennis’s next generation won’t be as visible to fans if not on free-to-air TV- His belief that only a shorter format can attract a new, younger audience- Mike James on working with French Open champion Iga Swiatek- On This Day: May 26th- Predictions for this year’s Roland Garros

Andrew, Anna & Craig discuss the tennis media landscape with Caitlin Thompson, Co-founder at Racquet, & Tim Farthing, Co-owner of Tennishead, and the media's role in shaping tennis' future. In our regular feature, tennis analyst Mike James talks about Madrid, altitude and how players need to adapt.  Subscribe/Follow Racquet: Website - https://racquetmag.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/racquetmag/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/racqetmagazine  Check out the latest issue: https://racquetmag.com/product/issue-no-16/   Subscribe/Follow Tennishead: Website - https://tennishead.net/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tennisheadmag/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/tennishead  Check out the latest issue: https://tennishead.net/product/tennishead-magazine-print-march-2021/

In Episode 14 of the 'Baseline Exchanges' podcast, Andrew, Anna & Craig chat to the world-renowned journalist, author, speaker and Executive Producer John Carlin and Tennis Analyst Mike James about all things Rafael Nadal.In 2011 alongside Rafael Nadal, John wrote 'Rafa - My Story' about the life and career of the greatest tennis player of his generation. The book became The Sunday Times bestseller. Mike then explains why Rafael Nadal is the greatest exponent of his craft on clay.

In this weeks episode, Andrew and Craig welcome a new member to the 'Baseline Exchanges' team, former Great Britain Fed Cup player and WTA Doubles champion Anna Smith. They also sit down with Alistair Higham, formally the LTA 'Head of Coach Education' and now the author of two best-selling books on 'momentum' in sport. They explore why momentum is the hidden force in tennis and how players and coaches can use the study of momentum to help better inform their practices. OFFER: Interested in a FREE e-learning taster course on Match Flow and Momentum? Checkout: https://coachingedgeuk.learnworlds.com/courses Use our special launch offer code 'MOMENTUM' at checkout to get a further 20% off!

Andrew and Craig chat to the Founder & President of EcoAthletes, and Founder of GreenSportsBlog, the leading blog at the intersection of Green & Sports, Lew Blaustein.Discussions include the nonprofit’s mission is to “inspire and coach athletes to lead climate action” and why athletes need to do more to fight climate change.

Andrew and Craig sit down with Dr Dario Novak, Assistant Professor of Kinesiology at the University of Zagreb and Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University, to discuss, amongst other things; his career, bridging the gap between theory and practice, working with Borna Coric and Donna Veckic, the importance of coaching by evidence and why talent is never enough.

In this week's podcast, Andrew and Craig chat to Mike James, Founder & CEO of Sportiii Analytics, about the use and value of data-driven analytics in tennis.  Discussions include the difference between a tennis analyst and strategist, working with Magnus Norman, the intricacies of working with top players and teams, and what the future holds for data analytics.

In this episode of 'Baseline Exchanges', Andrew and Craig chat to renowned sports psychologist, Daria Abramowicz. Discussion includes Daria's working relationship with 2020 Roland Garros winner, Iga Świątek, her counterintuitive approach of prioritizing gratitude, human relationships and personal growth as a path to winning and her push for athletes to be more open about their mental needs. 

In this week's podcasts, Andrew and Craig chat to World Number 11 doubles player, Nicole Melichar, whilst preparing for the Australian Open in Melbourne. Nicole has reached three Grand Slam finals, including last year's US Open, and in 2018 - alongside Alexander Peya - lifted the Mixed Doubles title at Wimbledon. Discussions include her keys to success, choosing doubles partners, winning Wimbledon and her Australian Open preparations.Nicole will be wearing Neptune Athletic's 'Atlas' range Down Under.  You can get 15% off the entire 'Atlas' range, by going to the link below and inputting voucher code: NMELICHAR.https://www.neptune-athletics.com/Voucer Code: NMELICHAR

In this week's podcast, Andrew and Craig chat to ATP Doubles player, ATP Council Member and CEO/Founder of High Impact Athletes, Marcus Daniell. Marcus explains his quest to create a groundswell of positive impact globally, driven by the generosity and social influence of successful athletes and what life is like serving on the ATP Player Council during these turbulent times.Find out more about Marcus' story and High Impact Athletes by clicking on the link below: https://highimpactathletes.org/blog/i-just-pledged-to-donate-10-for-the-rest-of-my-life You can also follow Marcus on the socials here:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-daniell-oly-313b6893/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/marcusdaniellnz/Twitter - https://twitter.com/MarcusDaniellFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/marcusdanielltennis

In this episode, Andrew and Craig are joined by world-renowned Author, Speaker and Performance Consultant, Allistair McCaw. They explore what being 'Champion Minded' is all about, how Kevin Anderson has that winning mindset and some keys to being a great coach.You can watch our relevant video content here:Dinara Safina: The Weight of a Paper Crown:https://youtu.be/CALWnxQuy_4Kevin Anderson: Trust in the Process:https://youtu.be/Tm5tYUpA_gkAbout our Guest:Allistair McCaw is a world-renowned Author, Speaker and Performance Consultant. For over 25 years, he has worked with numerous Olympians, Paralympians, World Champion Athletes and no less than 15 Tennis Grand Slam Champions. Svetlana Kuznetsova, former World Number 1, Dinara Safina, and between 2014-2018, worked with ATP Top 5 player, Kevin Anderson. Based in Florida, USA, Allistair is the author of 4 best-selling books and hosts the Champion Minded podcast.You can follow Allistair McCaw on these social platforms:Twitter: https://twitter.com/AllistairMcCawFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Allistairmccawpage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bechampionminded/ Champion Minded Podcast: https://www.podcasts.com/champion-mindedYou can also find his books on Amazon here:Champion Minded: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Champion-Minded-Achieving-Excellence-Sports/dp/069279154X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=champion+minded&qid=1610990133&sr=8-1 Developing a Winning Attitude & Mindset:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Developing-Winning-Attitude-Mindset-Relationships/dp/0578590263/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/261-2260982-5960852?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0578590263&pd_rd_r=4b43c25f-dead-4b3a-893b-4f49db00586c&pd_rd_w=cwRYa&pd_rd_wg=kh4Lr&pf_rd_p=dcf35746-0212-418b-a148-30395d107b2d&pf_rd_r=NY8K40T7BZKGSWTMXGQA&psc=1&refRID=NY8K40T7BZKGSWTMXGQA7 Keys to Being a Great Coach:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Keys-Being-Great-Coach-Become/dp/0578179520/ref=pd_bxgy_img_3/261-2260982-5960852?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0578179520&pd_rd_r=dade5cb8-96f9-4538-a1d9-0d85c11f5afc&pd_rd_w=58vHL&pd_rd_wg=3XhNw&pf_rd_p=dcf35746-0212-418b-a148-30395d107b2d&pf_rd_r=GXBWC4720DK12WE6589K&psc=1&refRID=GXBWC4720DK12WE6589K Becoming a Great Team Player:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07LGDWLVL/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

As the debate over 'classification' in wheelchair tennis rumbles on, player, journalist and Baseline Media contributor Gemma Stevenson and former Great Britain men’s national coach and ex-ITF wheelchair tennis manager Mark Bullock discuss the wheelchair tennis landscape with host Andrew Raeburn. Gemma explains the IPC’s revised classifications and how it will create a glass ceiling which will prevent some players from competing at an international level, including a number of Paralympians. Mark expresses his concerns over how it will impact the growth of wheelchair tennis but foresees a time when wheelchair and non-disabled players might compete together.You can watch our wheelchair video content here:Wheelchair Tennis Explained: https://youtu.be/Oxl1HOKZXXMWheels in Motion: https://youtu.be/8UE6oMuuA28Tennis' Classification Issue: https://youtu.be/pWES0EucKT 

Andrew & Craig sit down with special guest, Matt Jaggard - Head of Strength and Conditioning at the Delgado and Lee Pro Tennis Academy -  to discuss what it's like working in an Academy set-up and the demands of the sport on the modern player. Matt also discusses his manual -  International Travel and Tournament Preparation for Tennis - and how he was shocked at the lack of understanding around this critical area for aspiring professional players.Watch our video on 'Ivan Lendl: Tennis' Greatest Overachiever' here:https://youtu.be/XrxqiR0xJDI

In this episode of the 'Baseline Exchanges' podcast, Andrew and Craig chat to Roger Federer biographer and tennis historian, Chris Bowers, about the Swiss maestro's formative years, the importance of family and how, from an early age, Roger instilled in himself an overarching sense of perspective.Watch our video 'Origins: Roger Federer' here:https://youtu.be/3NQDeTs_Yu8You can purchase Chris' book 'Roger Federer - the Greatest' here:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Roger-Federer-Greatest-Chris-Bowers/dp/1843583895This authoritative and affectionate biography traces the rise of Federer, from his first tentative strokes with a tennis racket to how he dealt with being sent away to a training academy where he struggled to communicate in a French-speaking part of Switzerland; and how he handled the sudden death of his first real coach and mentor. It looks at his development as a sportsman and how he has matured into a family man with his marriage to Mirka Vavrinec and the birth of their twin girls. It also examines how Roger bounced back from arguably one of the most challenging periods of his career as, following a serious illness and a dip in form, his run of successive Wimbledon championship wins was ended and he was toppled from the number one spot by his long-time rival Rafael Nadal.

In this episode of the 'Baseline Exchanges' podcast, Andrew chats to Eleanor Preston, Director of 'The Emilia Group' and Laura Massaro MBE, former Squash World Champion and World Number 1, about the lessons tennis can learn from squash's successful tour merger in 2014.Discussions also include Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil's break-away player's union, the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) and how the sport of tennis can change to make the game better for everybody?Watch our video on 'Should The ATP & WTA Merge?' here:https://youtu.be/kPiNJq67SXwWatch our video on 'The Birth of the WTA' here:https://youtu.be/__N1kvQWVBgWatch our video on 'The Formation of the ATP' here:https://youtu.be/jEK0Anon5C0

Andrew and Craig chat to Chartered Sports Psychologist, Chris Bradley, about why we debate the 'Greatest Of All Time' (G.O.A.T), its purpose and importance. Chris is a chartered sports psychologist currently working as a Senior Psychologist at Derby County FC. He has also worked for Sheffield United and Middlesbrough but, before his role at Derby, Chris led the psychology provision at the LTA for two years, working with some of the top British players. Also a qualified tennis coach, Chris spent three years at Impact Tennis as a sports psychologist and six years as the Director of Grand Slam Performance.Watch our video on 'Tennis' G.O.A.T Debate' here:https://youtu.be/xSFVGK6bylw