Courtside Sessions

Ever wonder what pickleball looks like across the pond? Dan, 1/2 of The Picklebros UK, breaks down the European pickleball scene, from taping lines at tennis clubs to the sport's explosive growth. 

We discuss his Central Park discovery, coaching journey, the epic 36-hour world record match, and his thoughts on the latest Edge Blue Core technology. If you're curious about global pickleball growth, this episode is for you!

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Courtside Introduction
02:10 Pickle Bros Story
04:44 UK Pickleball Growth
08:11 Rackets Community
09:00 Youth & Juniors
10:35 Equipment & Technology
12:26 Coaching Insights
13:24 Media & Content
15:09 S...

In this episode of Courtside Sessions, we sit down with Dr. Guy Harvey, distinguished marine scientist, internationally acclaimed wildlife artist, and founder of the Guy Harvey Research Institute.

Dr. Harvey discusses his transition from academic research to entrepreneurship, the strategic use of licensing to fund conservation efforts, and his recent introduction to pickleball in the Cayman Islands. This conversation offers valuable insights into building purpose-driven businesses, family enterprise management, and the intersection of art, science, and sport.

As proud partners with the Guy Harvey brand, Diadem is honored to feature his marine artwork on our...

In Part 2 of our captivating conversation with Nick Saviano, we dive deep into the philosophy and methodology that has shaped some of tennis's brightest stars. Nick opens up about his core belief that working with young people is a "sacred trust" - a responsibility that demands coaches constantly grow and evolve to be everything they can be for the children and parents who entrust them.

At the heart of this episode is Nick's revolutionary coaching framework, built in layers from the inside out. Starting with fundamental principles of life success - controlling reactions, staying focused on process...

From player development at the USTA to entrepreneurial success, Martin Blackman’s career has always been driven by a passion for creating pathways for tennis players. In this episode, Martin takes us through his journey from his early days in tennis to his impactful role at the USTA and now to his current ventures. He shares his philosophy on player development, the evolving landscape of the tennis industry, and what’s next for him as an entrepreneur. 

Get a behind-the-scenes look at how Martin is reshaping the future of tennis for players, coaches, and fans alike.

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This episode is a deep dive into the kind of growth that doesn’t always show up on the scoreboard. Corbin Gapski, a key member of the Diadem team, joins us to talk about the in-between moments—the stretch of time when you’re building, learning, and showing up every day, even when the results aren’t immediate. He shares what it’s like to feel the pressure of expectations, the doubts that creep in when you’re not “there” yet, and the mindset shifts that have helped him stay focused on long-term purpose over short-term wins.

It’s an honest c...

In this episode of Courtside Sessions, former NBA star Tyler Hansbrough shares his journey from professional basketball to becoming an avid pickleball player. Tyler opens up about his transition from basketball, the impact of pickleball on his mental and physical health, and how the sport has become a new competitive outlet for him. 

Tyler also discusses the importance of fundamentals, working with great coaches, and how the supportive pickleball community has helped him thrive post-basketball. Tune in to hear about his journey, his love for the game, and how he's using his skills to make his mark i...

In this episode of Courtside Sessions, we’re joined by Alex Gruskin, one of the voices behind Cracked Racquets — one of the most influential platforms in college tennis, club tennis, and modern tennis media.

From growing up playing junior tennis to leading the charge in tennis podcasting and live-streaming college matches, Gruskin shares his journey from the club tennis courts at the University of Michigan to building a full-fledged media brand loved by tennis fans around the world.

Whether you're a college tennis die-hard, club tennis competitor, or just discovering the growing world of grassroots tenn...

In this episode, we’re hanging out with Sarah Koudouzian, an athlete whose journey is full of grit, heart, and some serious inspiration! Sarah opens up about overcoming personal challenges, coming back to the sport after 10+ years, and how sports became a powerful way for her to grow, bounce back, and find her inner strength.

From mentorship to community-building, Sarah’s all about lifting others up along the way and creating a positive impact. 

Her story is a reminder that we all have the power to turn challenges into victories — and that empowering others can truly c...

Inside the World of UTR Sports with CEO Mark Leschly 🎾

In this episode of Courtside Sessions, we sit down with Mark Leschly, the principal owner and CEO of UTR Sports, to discuss the impact of the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) on the world of tennis. From his junior playing days in Denmark to competing at Harvard and on the ATP Tour, Mark shares his personal journey through tennis and how it ultimately led him to revolutionize the sport with UTR.

🔍 What You'll Learn in This Episode:
The history and evolution of UTR – Why it's the most...

In this episode of Courtside Sessions, we welcome Chris Marquez, a seasoned tennis coach, former player, and tournament director, to the studio. From his late start in tennis to his rise as a top Florida player and his eventual transition to coaching, Chris shares his inspiring journey in the world of tennis.

Chris talks about the value of mental toughness, the importance of playing against diverse competition, and the challenges of moving from junior to college tennis. He also opens up about his shift from aspiring professional player to coach, and the personalized approach he takes in...

From Spain to the SLAMS!

In this episode, we sit down with Spanish pro tennis player Javier Barranco, the 2024 Diadem Breakthrough Tour Champion. Javier takes us through his incredible performance that led to his victory, sharing the training, mindset, and determination it took to claim the title. 

He also opens up about his journey from junior tennis to breaking into the ATP Top 200, the sacrifices of life on tour, and the passion that keeps him pushing forward. 

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Welcome to Courtside Sessions, a podcast for junior tennis players, parents, and coaches! Join us...

In this special episode of Courtside Sessions, we sit down with Diadem Sports co-founder AJ Bartlett to explore his remarkable journey from competitive tennis player to successful entrepreneur. AJ shares the inspiring story of how his passion for the game led him to co-create Diadem, a brand known for its innovation in tennis and pickleball equipment. From humble beginnings with just one product, the Solstice Power string, to a full lineup of rackets, bags, and balls, AJ gives us an inside look at the early challenges and triumphs that have shaped Diadem into a global brand.

We...

In this episode of Courtside Sessions, we sit down with Matias Descotte, one of Diadem's Breakthrough Tour athletes, to explore his journey from junior tennis to the pro circuit. 

Matias opens up about the challenges of competing at the highest levels, the mental toughness required to handle life on the road, and how he balances his passion for tennis with staying grounded off the court. We dive deep into his training routines, how he prepares for matches, and his insights on the importance of having the right gear, including his go-to Diadem equipment. 

Whether you’re a...

What's up, Team Diadem? We're back with another electrifying episode of Courtside Sessions, and this time, we're thrilled to host a true tennis powerhouse, Ryan Knarr! If you’ve been following Diadem, you know Ryan as one of our top ambassadors and the USA High School Coach of the Year in 2021. He’s also the President-Elect for USTA Middle States, overseeing a vast community of tennis enthusiasts.

In this episode, Ryan and Diadem Kev dive deep into his remarkable journey from being a late-blooming player to a key figure in tennis coaching and administration. We discuss his dive...

Join us as we chat with Sam Innerst, one of Diadem's newest team members! From milking cows to college tennis, hear Sam's inspiring journey and tennis tips. 

Sam also Breaks down the difference between junior and college tennis and how being an individual isn’t always better than having a support system in your coaches and teammates. He also speaks of how each player has a different experience and how important it is to carefully make your decision when advancing your career. 

Sam wraps up the talk with how his...

Join us for an inspiring episode of Courtside Sessions with KP Panu, one of our breakthrough tour players! We're talking tennis tips, junior training insights, and college tennis life. Don't miss out!

This episode KP shares his journey from New Zealand to the U.S. on a tennis scholarship and his subsequent career development. 

KP elaborates on mindfulness training, including deep breaths and visualizing success to manage nerves during matches. In addition he also shares his 30-minute pre-match routine involving a cold shower, reading, meditation, and a warm-up to s...

Join us for an inspiring episode of Courtside Sessions with Emily Morgan, the CEO and founder of 821 Tennis. Emily's love for tennis started at just two years old in Kingston, Jamaica, and brought her to the United States, where she juggled her passions for dance and tennis like a pro. 

In this episode, Emily opens up about the ups and downs of her college tennis career, sharing the life lessons that have shaped who she is today. She talks about how the discipline, resilience, and strategic thinking she developed on the court have become k...

In this super exciting episode of Courtside Sessions, we sit down with Nina Chabli, a junior tennis phenom who's making waves on the court! Nina spills all the details about her journey, from her intense training routines to her big dream of winning all four junior Grand Slams. She talks about her unique playing style and how her Instagram, "@NinaTennisKid," is all about tracking her progress and memories.

Nina also shares some amazing stories from tournaments like the international Little Mo and dives into how she stays positive and mentally tough. We get a...

This episode of Courtside Sessions features ATP top 200 and Diadem Athlete Oliver Crawford. 

Oliver recounts his training sessions from ages two to twelve and the pivotal moment at age 13 when he chose to focus on tennis full-time. Oliver also explains his decision to attend college, driven by advice to further develop his game mentally and physically.

Oliver elaborates on the challenges of the professional circuit, including traveling alone to various countries and adapting to different cultures and speaks of his mental health challenges and the importance of regular consultations w...

This episode of Courtside Sessions features Mark Kokavec, a shoe designer renowned for his work on Diadem’s Court Bursts. 

Mark discusses his early career and personal connection to tennis, including his brother’s professional career. Additionally, he shares insights from his collaborations with brands such as Reebok, Converse, and New Balance.

Mark elaborates on his work with prominent athletes such as Venus Williams, Dwayne Wade, and Todd Martin. 

Mark describes how he got involved with Diadem, the vision behind the Court Burst shoe, and the importance of continuous feedback from athletes to improv...

In our chat, Ricardo shares stories from his amazing career. We dive into his unique coaching style and what he looks for in recruits—spoiler: it's more than just stats!

Whether you're a tennis fan or an aspiring athlete this episode is packed with valuable lessons and motivating tales from the world of college tennis.

Don't miss out on this chance to hear from one of the most dedicated and successful coaches around—Ricardo Gonzalez.

In part two of Courtside Sessions with Marcelo Arévalo, we delve deeper into the Salvadoran tennis star's career. Marcelo opens up about his experiences competing in Challenger tournaments and reflects on his best singles performances. He candidly discusses the time when he found out about his herniated disk and had to make serious decisions about the future of his career.

Marcelo elaborates on his doubles career, explaining why it became clear that focusing on doubles was the key to achieving his dreams. Join us for an insightful conversation as Marcelo provides a behind-the-scenes look at the r...

In this episode of Courtside Sessions, we sat down with Marcelo Arévalo, Salvadoran tennis star and Grand Slam champion. Marcelo shares his inspiring journey from pursuing tennis in El Salvador to becoming a top player, diving into the unique challenges he faced and the passion that kept him going. He offers great insights on the realities of climbing the tennis ranks, discussing the nerves, the intense hard work, and the ultimate payoff.

Marcelo also chats about the importance of college tennis, working his way up the ranks, and his strategic decision to focus o...

On our first episode of season 2, we sit down with Christian Singer, a tennis player turned industry expert, to discuss his journey from the courts of South Germany to the world stage. Christian shares anecdotes from his early days playing tennis in junior teams in his hometown just outside Munich, to his college tennis experiences at Georgia Southern University in the US.

We dive into the challenges of adapting to the US tennis culture, the camaraderie of college tennis, and Christian's transition from being an athlete to starting his career in the racket sports industry. With 14 years...

That's a wrap on Season 1 of Courtside Sessions! Sachia Vickery, checks in to discuss life on and off the court, her run at the US Open, and much more! When talking about her run she said, "US Open for any American player is the biggest tournament that we can play in, and the support that I had from the crowd that week, I was able to play my best tennis." You can also get the racket Sachia uses for 30% off this Nova November, check it out in the link below and stay tuned for a full sit down with...

Tosin Awomewe, a former junior, competitive adult player, with an extensive coaching background, who went on to start his own academy shares his tennis journey and unique philosophy. "My training had an end goal, believe it or not, to always learn something new each time I trained." Check out the full episode to hear all the gems Tosin dropped during this conversation!

Trey Morris, the current Head Men's Tennis Coach at Jacksonville State University, shares his tennis journey with us. A lot of his current coaching philosophy has been honed in through his experience competing across the world. He said, "my father did a phenomenal job of creating a mentality for the way I viewed competition." Tune into the full episode to learn more about that mentality and pick up more tips from coach Morris!

Brian Rosenthal, a former compettive junior and NC State Wolfpack player who has gone on to have a sucessful career working in tennis shares some insight he's learned along the way. When asked if lessons he learned in his playing career impacted him professionally he said, "I think you learn about persevereance and you learn about roadblocks." Check out the full episode to hear everything Brian had to share!

Greg Patton, a long time college coach with experience in the USA National Collegiate program, opens up his full notebook to share experiences and stories from his life long journey in tennis. He discussed many topics and here is a quick note he had on the college recruiting process: "One thing I think a lot of players have to realize is that good people make good teams." Check out the full episode to hear everything he had to say about recruiting and much more!

Jose Ayala, a former ATP pro, long time junior tennis development specialist, and tennis dad shares some insight in how he mastered the game and the philosophy he has developed as a coach. He had a lot of great insight that he shared in this episode. He had this to say on competition, "you know, you go on the court, somebody has to win and somebody has to lose and most of time it wasn't me. That's what made me strive to be better."

Author, speaker, and entrepreneur, JM Ryerson, who specializes in mindset and leadership shares some insight on his work with professional players and his 17 year old tennis playing son, TJ. He dropped so many gems in this conversation, but one the stuck out was, "You're not going to stop your emotions from happening. Look, you hit a bad shot, you got upset. But how do you respond? If you react, throw your hands in the air, throw your racket, it doesn't do anything and you're giving your opponent confidence

158 views  Sep 29, 2023  Courtside Sessions

Former top junior, UCLA Bruin, world number #1, Grand Slam champion, Mark Knowles, shares his tennis journey and some valuable insight learned along the way. Mark said "I was probably delusional, because literally from 9 to 10 years old I wanted to be #1 in the world and I thought I would be number one in the world. Those were my goals, to be the best tennis player I could be, which, you know, like I said is a little bit delusional, right?

Magda Linette's coach, Mark Gellard, shares insight into his tennis journey coming to the US to play in college and rising through the ranks of high-performance coaching. "I think that to achieve the ranking we've reached, you had to perform well in significant events because the points are heavily weighted. You can win those 250-point events, but you'll only earn 280 points. What she did this year in Australia, reaching the semifinals of the Open and earning 780 points, resulted in a significant jump in the rankings right away. I believe that for junior players as well, much of your potential...

University of Illinois rising junior, Kida Ferrari, shares the approach she took to defy the odds and accomplish her dream of playing D1 tennis. "I come from literally the second worst tennis state in the US... There maybe were two other people who went to college for tennis, besides me. So, I had to get creative and build a game plan. There's going to be a lot of threes here - I played 6 days a week, I would do 3 lessons a week, 3 practice sets, 3 days of strength and conditioning, and 3 days of yoga." Stay tuned for more episodes, every...

Venus Williams coach, Hugo Armando, shares how a growth mindset helped shape his junior, pro, and coahing career. "My dad was my coach back then and I was lucky that he had a growth midset mentality. Yes - the results are great, having a good ranking is awsome, it teaches you to deal with a lot, but the main thing was to devlope your game, get better, and improve. Especially in pressure situations, with the expectation of winning and all the things that surround the game that are so difficult to deal with." Stay tuned for more episodes, every...

"Parents, they're hard on the kids, they want the best for the kids, but they also expect a lot" - Evan Specht, Co-Founder of Diadem Sports. Listen to the Courtside Sessions Trailer now on all streaming platforms. Official Website | World Class Tennis & Pickleball Goods – Diadem Sports