The GreatBase Tennis Podcast 267 - FROM THE WALL TO WINTERGREEN

The GreatBase Tennis Podcast 267 - FROM THE WALL TO WINTERGREEN

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.

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🎓 ABOUT:

📜 GreatBase Tennis is a curriculum; a pathway for all levels of players and teachers. The content we have assembled is a systematic approach to tennis instruction that is based on scientific principles and sound logic. Simply put, GreatBase Tennis is fact-based instruction for long-term development.

Our mission is to help make quality tennis instruction more affordable and accessible by providing free online content and through our worldwide network.

Our vision is to see tennis being taught without opinionated egos or money-driven schemes, but rather with creative application that is based on proven scientific principles.

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0:00 Introduction
1:34 The Journey Begins
3:25 College Recruitment Story
4:19 Training Under Chuck Creasy
5:02 Transition to Pro Tennis
7:56 The Power of Left-Handed Play
10:26 Returning to Competition
15:12 Coaching Experiences
17:06 Connecting with Tennis Block
18:54 The Role of Community
24:40 New Beginnings at Wintergreen
29:18 Programming Ideas for Wintergreen
35:07 Commitment to Family and Community
36:10 Chuck Creasy Stories
41:52 Lawson Duncan Tales
51:42 Doubling Down on Development
1:01:47 Membership Appreciation
1:07:17 Looking Ahead to the Future

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#tennis #podcast #coaching