Courtside Sessions

Courtside Sessions is BACK for Season 4 and we are starting things off with one of our favorite conversations yet!  WTA #7 Elina Svitolina stopped by our headquarters ahead of the Miami Open and we got to sit down for a truly special episode. Elina opens up about the story behind her Diadem signature racket, walking us through the playtesting process, and the personal design choices that make her...

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,...

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 Island...

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 hea...

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 tenni...

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 w...

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 wit...

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...

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...

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 ulti...

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 divers...

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 sacrific...

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,...

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 d...

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....

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...

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 visua...

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 t...

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...

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 pr...

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 s...

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 succes...

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 hi...

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 i...