The Tennis Pros of San Diego - Unmatched

What does it take to recruit great players, build a winning team, and become a leader who makes a lasting impact?

We sit down with Dick Gould to discuss his coaching experiences, recruiting stories, the players who helped shape his teams, and the leadership lessons he learned throughout his career. From team culture to the people and moments that defined his journey, this episode offers a unique perspective on the game of tennis and what it takes to lead.

Tune in for an insightful conversation with one of tennis coaching’s most influential figures!

#TennisProsOfSanDiegoUnmatched #DickGould #Tennis #TennisCoaching #Leadership #Recruiting #CollegeTennis

What happens when the biggest challenge in tennis isn’t your forehand, your fitness, or your opponent — but your own mind?

In this episode of The Tennis Pros of San Diego – Unmatched, we sit down with renowned sport psychologist Dr. Bob Nideffer to explore the mental side of tennis and what it takes to perform under pressure.

Bob shares his principles for understanding stress, managing pressure, staying mentally present, and developing the mindset needed to compete.

In this fascinating conversation with tennis legend Charlie Pasarell, we explore the extraordinary life and career of one of the sport’s most influential figures. Charlie shares stories from his book, taking us behind the scenes of his journey from player to visionary leader who helped create what became the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

Charlie reflects on his legendary matches with Pancho Gonzales, offering a firsthand look at one of tennis’s most colorful and competitive eras. He also opens up about his friendship with Arthur Ashe, including the conversations, experiences, and shared perspectives that shaped their lives both on and off the court.

From competing against tennis icons to helping build one of the world’s premier tennis tournaments, Charlie’s stories provide a unique window into the history, personalities, and evolution of the game. It’s a conversation filled with incredible memories, lessons, friendships, and the passion that has defined Charlie Pasarell’s life in tennis.

What does it take to compete at the highest level of professional tennis and keep winning decades later?

In this episode, we sit down with Ros Nideffer, a tennis legend whose career includes two French Open doubles titles, two Wimbledon singles quarterfinal appearances, and 10 WTA doubles titles. Ros spent an incredible 12 consecutive years ranked in the world’s Top 50, reaching a career-high No. 15 in singles in 1990.

And her story didn’t end with professional tennis. Ros went on to dominate senior competition, winning multiple USTA National Hard Court titles and representing the U.S. in ITF senior events.

We talk about Grand Slam competition, the mental side of the game, the evolution of women’s tennis, and what has kept Ros passionate about competing for decades.

An inspiring conversation about resilience, excellence, and a lifelong love of the game. Tune in and hear the story behind the legend.

In this episode, we sit down with the legendary coach of Canyon Crest Academy, whose more than 40 years of coaching have helped build one of Southern California's premier high school tennis programs. Under his leadership, Canyon Crest has won three CIF Open Division Girls' Team Championships, two Boys' Team Championships, multiple league titles, CIF Boys' and Girls' Doubles Championships, and made four appearances in the CIF State Regional Tennis Championships. Beyond coaching, he has served for 29 years as Tournament Director for the CIF San Diego Section Team and Individual Championships and has earned four CIF San Diego Section Coach of the Year awards, along with recognition as a San Diego High School Sports Association All-Star Coach. We discuss his coaching journey, the evolution of high school tennis, and the principles behind building a championship culture. Whether you're a player, coach, parent, or tennis fan, this episode offers valuable insights, memorable stories, and a deep appreciation for the game.

John Broderick joins us to talk all things Tennis Fest, upcoming tennis events, and what it's really like to be an umpire. We also share our Wimbledon predictions—which by the time you're listening, the champions will already be crowned, so let us know how we did!

We were excited to welcome Matt Jones, Tennis Director at Surf & Turf, to the Tennis Pros of San Diego Unmatched podcast for a wide ranging conversation about the game we all love. Matt shared his journey in tennis, his coaching philosophy, and his passion for building a thriving tennis community in San Diego. We also took a deep dive into the current state of college tennis, discussing the opportunities, challenges, and evolving landscape for today's junior players aspiring to compete at the next level. It's an insightful episode filled with great stories, thoughtful perspectives, and valuable takeaways for players, parents, coaches, and tennis fans alike.

Prince is a community builder, technologist, and civic-minded operator whose work spans technology, entertainment, sports, and public impact. Having contributed to projects at Amazon Web Services, Interscope, Funny or Die, and United States Digital Response, he brings a unique perspective on culture, connection, and the people shaping what's next. His work and insights have been featured in Wired, The San Francisco Standard, San Francisco Chronicle, and Mission Local.

Peyton Jones spent nearly a decade building a successful career in corporate marketing—until chronic tinnitus and burnout forced her to rethink everything. What began as a health crisis became a journey toward healing through yoga, breathwork, and a completely new understanding of performance.

In this episode, Peyton shares how stepping away from the traditional corporate mindset led her to found Soul Powered Marketing. To connect with Peyton, follow @soulpoweredmarketing on Instagram or reach out at info@soulpoweredmarketing.com

In this episode, we sit down with Vitoria to explore a journey that spans elite junior tennis, Wall Street, entrepreneurship, and the ongoing search for a more meaningful definition of success.

Growing up in the countryside of Brazil, Vitoria left home at a young age to pursue a career in tennis, eventually becoming one of the top-ranked junior players in the world. After stepping away from the sport, she transitioned into a demanding career on Wall Street before confronting the realities of burnout and questioning the path she had worked so hard to achieve.

We discuss identity beyond performance, the pressures of high achievement, career transitions, and what it means to rebuild your life around purpose rather than expectations.

Juan Garcia, Director of Racquets at San Dieguito Tennis Club, joins the podcast to discuss his book: The Modern Tennis Coach ⁠, the Four Burners Theory, leadership, and lessons learned through a lifetime in tennis. From balancing priorities to building strong teams and navigating change in the sport, this episode is packed with insights for athletes, coaches, and leaders alike.

Marlen and I joined Tennis Fest, hosted by the San Diego Tennis Community, alongside more than 1,000 participants and local coaches on the courts. We also brought in guest speakers to share insights and talk all things tennis!

In this episode, we sit down with Mark Weil, founder of the Weil Tennis Academy in Ojai. Known for consistently developing players who go on to compete at the collegiate level, Mark shares insights into his academy’s unique residential training program, which combines elite tennis coaching, academics, and a fully immersive environment designed to help young athletes reach their potential.

Jeff is the author of the best-selling book The Best Tennis of Your Life and the creator of the Fearless Tennis Platinum Course, a comprehensive training program used by thousands of athletes worldwide. In this episode, Marlen and I have the opportunity to take a deep dive into the mental side of tennis, exploring key questions along with specific, real-world examples.

Luis Miranda’s story starts on the tennis court, but it doesn’t end there. In this episode, he reflects on his early life, falling in love with the game, and the path that led him to play at Villanova University. He opens up about the highs and lows of competing, the identity shift that comes after athletics, and how he’s found new purpose through work, endurance challenges like Ironmans, and personal growth. It’s an honest look at what happens when one chapter ends—and another begins.

In this episode, we turn the spotlight on our guest, Angelica Gavaldon, as she shares her incredible journey from growing up in Tijuana to moving to the United States and ultimately competing on the WTA Tour. She opens up about her experiences in tennis, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and how those shaped her approach to coaching. Angelica also dives into what it truly takes to reach the highest level of the sport, offering insight, inspiration, and a deeper look into her story.

In this episode, we sit down with Erin Brown, a certified Lagree instructor, to explore how this low-impact, high-intensity method can transform the way you move and feel. Erin shares what drew her to Lagree and how it supports strength, balance, and stability for people of all ages and fitness levels. We dive into how incorporating Lagree into your routine can help prevent injuries, improve overall wellness, and correct muscle imbalances. Whether you're an athlete or just getting started on your fitness journey, this conversation highlights why intentional movement matters.
Interested in working with Erin 1:1? Reach out to her at erinj035@gmail.com .

In this episode we get a chance to talk to Lucia Romanov who reached a WTA singles ranking of world number 30 and competed on the tour with BJK, Martina N, Chrissie Evert and many more...

What does it really take to build mentally tough athletes? Rafael "Rafa" Martinez joins us to break down the foundation of building not just great tennis players, but strong, confident individuals. As the USD Women’s Tennis Assistant Coach and Tennis Director at Mountain View Sports & Racquet Club, Rafa has worked with athletes at every stage of development. In this conversation, he shares his journey in tennis and reveals how coaches can instill resilience, mental toughness, and self-belief in players—from their earliest years in the sport to competing at the highest collegiate level.

Kirk Spahn's journey is a testament to the power of combining passion with purpose, demonstrating how innovative thinking and a dedication to service can create transformative experiences for young people around the world. Kirk Spahn is a distinguished entrepreneur and innovator, recognized for his significant contributions to youth education. With an academic background from Dartmouth College for his undergraduate degree and Columbia University for his master's. Spahn has built a multifaceted career that spans various industries.