On the 197th episode of the GreatBase podcast, Steve Smith speaks with Nomena Raharinosy. To make an understatement, her tennis story is well worth listening to. Her journey with our sport covers three continents. (Africa, Europe, North America)

She started in a humble, low-key, no-hype tennis environment in her native Madagascar. From there, she was fortunate to spend several of her formative years in Paris, France. Her next adventure was spending the last two years of her high school days at a Florida-based academy. She was awarded a (US) college scholarship at the end of her junior career.

Nomena enjoyed many highlights as a player. One would be representing her country in numerous international events. Another would be becoming a Texas Longhorn for life.

While playing for the University of Texas, she won the type of match that would make a movie script. She had the challenge of winning the last match out in the semi-finals of the NCAA national team championships. Her win clinched her team's trip to the final. With the opportunity, the girls wearing Burnt Orange won the coveted national title.

Nomena now lives in Canada with her husband and their two children. She runs a business with one of her first childhood tennis friends. She also watches her children work on tennis fundamentals. One connection that helps ensure her confidence in the GreatBase pathway is that she now knows that two boys (Clayton Stanley and Chad Clark) who played at Texas when she did were brought up with the same scientific-based information.

On the 196th episode of the GreatBase Tennis, Steve Smith and Ivan Ozerets talk tennis with Greg Moran. Their guest is a veteran tennis teaching professional, an award-winning writer, and a longtime club owner.

Greg's third book, "The Truth About Tennis", was recently released. Like his long career, his latest book is complete. The read will certainly help further educate anyone and everyone connected to the great game of tennis.

Our listeners will be inspired by Greg's passion and commitment to our game. Plus by listening, one will be enlightened and entertained.

On the 195th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith has a tennis discussion with Ainsley Catalano. His guest makes his living as an analyst in commercial real estate. Ainsley also has tennis experience as a player, teacher, and parent. Topping off his A to Z connection to our game, he owns his own red clay court.

Steve and Ainsley touch upon many topics related to tennis. One being, the financial challenges facing the future of tennis. Solutions are suggested and, hopefully, some of the ideas shared will be heard by people who can unite to make a difference.

On the 194th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith and Ivan Ozerets talk tennis with Dave Anderson. Dave, a frequent guest, is a veteran coach with an outstanding track record. He has worked at the Brookhaven Country Club in Dallas for over 30 years.

Their discussion is the fourth of four Dave's Do's & Don'ts. The first three lists were centered on parents, players and coaches. The last focus on the work of tennis administrators.

Owners, operators, and directors surely will benefit by listening to David's input. To create a healthy and productive tennis culture parents, players, coaches and administrators certainly need to understand their roles and responsibilities.

On the 193rd episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith and Ivan Ozerets interview Javier Palenque. Their guest has an unstoppable passion for the improvement of tennis. He is totally committed to researching how tennis is governed around the world.

To make an understatement, he knows the problems. More importantly, he has solutions.

In addition to our podcast, we have attached a forty-page booklet by Javier. The content is critical. Although, honesty is needed for the overall welfare and growth of OUR game.

Furthermore to read over 500 articles on improving our governing body of tennis (USTA), one can connect with Javier through his medium: https://palenquej.medium.com/

Booklet: https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/2152981

On the 192nd episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith, Ivan Ozerets and Dave Anderson address the USTA Player Development (USTA PD) program.

The following are attached:

1) A letter written by Jose Higueras on American tennis
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m8rnoacjivjOMt3sc5lRDo9Nccub9wgQ/view?usp=sharing

2) A letter written by Wayne Bryan on American tennis
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wIEoZk1rEZKlP3M_g9uZCEyCCVeB9I88/view?usp=sharing

3a) Patrick McEnroe holding three significant tennis positions - spoof by Steve Smith
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d_T6m_bo3EP4_7VaQUIYEwYf7X_sS9Ie/view?usp=sharing

3b) Craig Tiley turning down the opportunity to direct the USTA PD - letter by Steve Smith
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JmPx3pIfvp3FWlCYoZu5rGmarbVhHqIz/view?usp=sharing

Additional input from numerous podcasts and various blogs were also interfaced with the experience of Smith and Anderson.

A book should be written on the subject. One title for consideration: Honey & Money Isn't Funny.

On the 191st episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith has a conversation with Lawrence Hyde. The Englishman recently spent 350-plus hours studying with Steve. The primary topics covered were: tennis, tennis teaching, coaching, character development, player development, and the ins and outs of the tennis industry. Also, a healthy percentage of Lawrence's time was assisting with the production of personalized technical and tactical videos.

Lawrence's impressive work ethic earned him the compliment that he was not just another intern. Steve said Lawrence's approach reminded him of some of his tennis-teaching students from the 80's. The Brit wrote notes by day and typed them by night. Prior to starting his internship, he completed all five of the GBTE online courses.

Experience is best measured in a case-by-case scenario as opposed to just time in the game. Lawrence had the chance to observe and study early childhood development, juniors and college players as well as pros. He also sat in on meetings with parents and fellow coaches that were led by Steve.

The goal of our podcasts is to share a tennis language that has been created by studying the contributions of eight outstanding pillars and logging 50 years of coaching players, teaching coaches, and guiding parents.

Lawrence's notes were presented on the GreatBase Tennis Facebook page on 4/11/2024.

On the 190th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith has a conversation with Ilja Semjonovs. The theme of the session was based on the title of a hockey podcast called 32 Thoughts with Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek.

Ilja, who has spent nearly 10 years working with Steve, formulated a list of 32 talking points. The information, ideas, and insights shared will help anyone and everyone connected to player development.