Tennis IQ Podcast

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the legacy of Dr. Jim Loehr. The episode is divided into four sections: 1) Dr. Loehr as a pioneer and “the first one out there” in the field of sport/performance psychology within tennis, 2) the legacy and importance of the 16‑Second Cure, 3) his shift in focusing on winning to helping athletes build character, and 4) personal reflections and final thoughts.To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the me...

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss an article about Cameron Young from the PGA Tour and the paradox of outcomes. They talked about how acceptance of his self-talk, staying present, and taking things one shot at a time ultimately led to his success at The Players Championship. The co-hosts examined how tennis players, coaches, and parents can learn from the successes of professional athletes in tennis and in other sports to understand what strategies and mental skills can improve performance.Article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7127018/2026/03/18/cameron-young-players-mental-skill/...

In this episode, Brian and Josh review an article about Emma Raadacanu losing her “natural” playing style and trying to find it again. They discuss the issues with coaches teaching a ‘one size fits all’ approach to tennis and advocate for players to build their game based on individual strengths and preferences instead. Lastly, they examine which characteristics tennis players can build to help themselves utilize their “natural” playing style including self-belief and trust.Article: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/mar/05/emma-raducanu-hopes-rediscover-natural-style-tennisTo learn more about Josh and Brian's back...

The first round of a tournament or the first match of a league/conference championship weekend can lead to more anxious feelings for tennis players. In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss research on first match anxiety to help you understand it better, and take practical steps to handle it better.Psychophysiological stress in tennis players during the first single match of a tournament: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030645300800228XTo learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses...

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how tennis players can benefit by taking a constraints led approach. They talk about constraints that tennis players can establish in practices and matches, and differentiate between preclude and promote constraints. Although it may seem that constraints take away the freedom to choose, they actually give tennis players far more structure to make high-percentage and helpful decisions.To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the...

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the origins of greatness in performance, and whether early specialization increases one's chances of becoming truly elite. They review research that showed 90% of top performers were not the top juniors and, conversely that 90% of the top junior players did not become top pros. The implications of this research is discussed, and Brian and Josh offer practical suggestions for how tennis players can benefit by participating in multiple sports and activities outside of tennis.Article - “Rethinking the Origins of Greatness” by Scott Barry Kaufmanhttps://www.beau...

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the impact of mental fatigue on tennis performance. Research on this topic includes a systematic review from 2024 which looked at mental fatigue in various racquet sports, as well as a 2025 Turkish study which showed that mental fatigue impaired precision/accuracy. The co-hosts also examined the impact of junior players using social media before matches, as well as the impact of a full workday before an adult league or tournament match.To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and...

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications within tennis. The co-hosts discuss certain benefits of using tennis chatbots for training and preparing for matches, while also caution against the over-reliance on this technology. They emphasize that AI should be used as a tool rather than a replacement of critical thinking and decision making skills that are vital for tennis players.To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions...

In this episode Brian and Josh discuss the concept of “knowing the nouns and practicing the verbs”. The co-hosts discussed how tennis players ought to prioritize taking action when it comes to their progress as a player and should strive to focus on the process needed to improve rather than focusing on the end result. Additionally, they talk about how having open goals and focusing on learning and passion tend to lead to greater progress and fulfillment within a tennis player’s journey.Instagram Post by @theInnergame - https://www.instagram.com/p/DSVwYSvDljQ/?hl=en...

The 2026 Australian Open has wrapped up with Elena Rybakina winning the women’s singles title over Aryna Sabalenka 6–4, 4-6, 6-4, and Carlos Alcaraz winning the men’s singles title over Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5. In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the women’s and men’s singles championships, and review sport psychology themes that led to the successes of the champions and finalists.To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the men...

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how tennis players can choose to become great or stay within their comfort zone and limit their growth. The co-hosts discussed how focusing on long-term progress by playing the best version of their game and focusing on becoming the best player that they can be long-term is preferable to being too focused on winning a particular match and sacrificing their playing style to win today.To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have...

With the recent passing of Bill Tym, we wanted to re-release our interview with him from 2020 as a tribute to his legacy. Coach Tym was a major influence in the development of some truly excellent competitors in tennis. We hope that you will be inspired by his words and stories. Check out the links in the show notes for some of Coach Tym's wisdom.Coach Bill Tym was an All-American at the University of Florida where he won 2 Southeastern conference singles titles, and is also in the UF Athletics Hall of Fame. He went on to compete...

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the importance of habit consistency. Based on a chapter from Areté by Brian Johnson, they talked about why just showing up to perform your habit behavior is actually more important than feeling like you need to be great at your habits. The pair also examined why the concept of “beginning again” is a key to long-term consistency.To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the menta...

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss emotional intelligence and its impact on tennis performance. They define the term and cover its application to tennis. Additionally, they discuss how building greater emotional intelligence leads tennis players to improve their performance and have more fulfilling tennis careers.To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis you can email us at tennisiqpodcast@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying the show pl...

Based on an interview with The Guardian, Brian and Josh discuss some mental performance themes behind Amanda Anisimova's remarkable 2025 season.Link to interview: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/nov/03/from-burnout-to-brilliance-amanda-anisimova-on-how-honesty-sparked-her-remarkable-revivalTo learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis you can email us at tennisiqpodcast@gmail.com. If you’re enjoying the show please rate us on your favorite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts and Sp...

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss attribution theory and its impact on tennis performance. The co-hosts talk about how the interpretation of results makes a significant difference in how tennis players move on and grow from matches that they play. They reviewed the various factors that are included within attribution theory - whether a person attributes their results as internal/external, stable/unstable, and controllable/uncontrollable.To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or...

Chris Harwood, PhD is a Professor of Sport Psychology at Nottingham Trent University and an Honorary Professor of Loughborough University in the UK. He is currently the Director of the Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) research centre at NTU where his research interests lie in the integration of psychological principles into youth sport settings and the roles of the coach, parents, and the wider organisational support system. Prior to his training and registration as a Sport Psychologist, Chris was head coach and then Director of Tennis at Loughborough University in the 1990s, and has worked as lead psychologist...

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the multi-faceted relationship between passion and performance (The Dualistic Model of Passion). The co-hosts review the applications of this research for tennis performance, and cover how athletes can improve performance and foster subjective well-being via harmonious passion.Research article: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2007.00447.xTo learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis you can...

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the concept of precommitments as a means for setting intentions for coping with challenges and adversity. Tennis is tough; can you precommit to enjoying yourself, learning, and embracing the challenge? Precommiting to such behaviors gives you a greater chance of following through.To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis you can email us at tennisiqpodcast@gmail.com. If you’re en...

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the importance of embracing boredom and the mundane in an athlete’s journey towards improvement. They discuss a recent LinkedIn post by Alex Auerbach in which he noted that athletes who embrace boredom during training and competition tend to excel and have longer careers. The co-hosts share their responses to his post and include their own observations about the role of the "boring" aspects of training.LinkedIn Post by Alex Auerbach - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alexauerbachphd_after-10-years-in-pro-sports-ive-seen-activity-7377311042604838912-kyaS/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_de...