In this episode of the GreatBase Tennis Podcast, Steve Smith is joined by Dave Anderson and Ryan Fleming for a reflective and forward-looking conversation about the launch of a new tennis program at Ave Maria University in Southwest Florida. Steve shares the personal and professional journey behind accepting the position as men’s and women’s tennis coach, while diving into his vision for reshaping player development at the college level.

The discussion covers everything from NCAA structure and NAIA opportunities to the cultural values of the university and how they align with long-term tennis development. Steve, Dave, and Ryan also explore big-picture themes, including coaching education, team culture, training structure, facility limitations, and the potential for Ave Maria to become a model for how American college tennis can be rebuilt from the ground up.

Episode 268 is a must-listen for coaches, parents, and program directors looking to improve tennis through education, values, and long-term vision.

In this episode of the GreatBase Tennis Podcast, Steve Smith sits down with longtime friend and coach Ryan Fleming for a reflective and practical conversation about tennis, coaching, and leadership. Fleming shares his journey from hitting on a cinder block wall in North Carolina to playing college tennis for Chuck Kriese at Clemson, and eventually finding the GreatBase system, which reshaped his technique, mindset, and career.

They discuss the frustrations of not being taught the fundamentals earlier, how hitting left-handed changed Ryan’s perspective, and the transformative power of clear, fact-based instruction. Ryan also shares insights from his time managing over 100 coaches at TennisBloc and his new role as Director of Racquet Sports at Wintergreen Resort in Virginia. The episode closes with programming ideas for Wintergreen, thoughts on doubles as a development tool, and the value of teaching players and coaches how to truly improve.

In this episode of the Great Base Tennis Podcast, Steve Smith is joined by Dave Anderson, Andy Fitzell, and Tim Ross for a wide-ranging discussion centered on doubles development and the 2025 US Open. The team reflects on the standout performance of Robert Cash and James Trotter Tracy, a former Ohio State duo, analyzing how their college training, chemistry, and aggressive net play translated to the tour level.

The conversation expands into the broader state of doubles, highlighting common gaps in how the game is taught and why many juniors lack the foundational skills to succeed in two-on-two play. From tactics to training priorities, podcast 266 also touches on the challenges of player travel, the importance of intentional practice, and how doubles can be used as a powerful developmental tool when taught properly.

A must-listen for coaches, parents, and players who want to better understand what makes great doubles and how to build it.