Second Serve Tennis

Have you ever been on the court and didn't know the rule? We have 10 rules we wished we would have known when we started playing USTA matches. We are replaying a few of our most popular episodes and this was one of them! In this episode we go through situations that happened on the tennis court to us where no one knew what to do or we were surprised by the rule. You can Download Our Rules Car...

This is part 2 of our episode Kenny, who is the 4.0 18 plus singles National Champion!  Most tennis players look for a magic swing tip, but the real edge often comes from preparation, emotional control, and what you do between points. Carolyn and Erin sit down with Kenny, a 4.0 18+ singles national champion, to get specific about how he scouts opponents and builds a plan before the first ball. He...

He Won A National Singles Title AND A Cheese-Rolling Championship. Kenny breaks down how goal setting, routines, and pressure practice translate into more wins.  If you would like to watch Kenny winning the cheese rolling competition please click below: Kenny winning the Cheese Rolling Competition Sports Illustrated Article about Kenny We are replaying a few of our most popular episodes and this w...

A 0-6 first set can make you want to disappear, speed up, and get it over with. We’ve all been there, and that urge is exactly what keeps the other team rolling. Carolyn and Erin sit down with Kana to talk about how to recover mentally and tactically after getting rocked early, using a few simple resets that actually work under pressure.  We would greatly appreciate a 5 star rating wherever you li...

Come check out the Cary Tennis Classic on June 28-July 5, 2026! To receive updates about the Cary Tennis Classic please sign up for the newsletter: Cary Tennis Classic Newsletter We were thrilled to talk with the Co-Tournament Director Ted Reese. Ted is the current President of the Southern Board of Directors, past President of the NC Tennis Association and the NC Tennis Foundation, and the Past C...

A 6-0 set can mess with your head no matter which side of it you’re on. If you just steamrolled a set, you start thinking, “This can’t last,” and you tighten up trying to protect the lead. If you just got bageled, you can feel stuck with zero clues and zero confidence. We talk through both moments and the exact doubles decisions that may help you stop the swing before it turns into a third-set coi...

Ever wondered how to master those nerve-wracking tiebreakers in tennis? Join us as we welcome Karen Rembert, a teaching pro with over 30 years of coaching experience. Karen was a National USTA Finalist in 45 Doubles, a two-time NC State 25 Doubles Champion, and ranked #11 nationally in NAIA Doubles. Karen is a USTA High-Performance Coach, USPTA Elite Professional, and a USPTA Certified Pickleball...

Gin reveals her singles strategy that helped her climb from 3.5 to 5.0 in three years with an impressive 72-4 USTA singles record!  Let us know if Gin's strategy works for you or if you have ever had a golden set or golden match!  We would greatly appreciate a 5 star rating wherever you listen to podcasts! Please contact us -  Website: secondservepodcast.com Instagram: secondservepodcast Face...

What does it take to rise quickly in the ranks? Join us as we sit down with Gin, a remarkable tennis player who skyrocketed from a 3.5 to a 5.0 player in just three years. Her journey isn't just about the climb but also the hurdles she faces at the higher levels, particularly the lack of local weekday teams for players like her. We also hear Gin's craziest story and most memorable moment...

Join us as we dive into Gin's remarkable journey from a 3.5 self-rated player to an NTRP 5.0 in just three years! After a 25-year break from touching a racquet, Gin, a former multi-sport athlete, signed up for a tennis clinic after watching her kid's lessons. Soon after, she joined a USTA team and hasn't looked back.  Her rise through the NTRP rankings has been a unique journey, win...

Tennis gives friendships, health, and second chapters. Hear Michele Krause's most memorable moments. Listen today. What has tennis given you? Tennis doesn’t have to feel exclusive or overly serious to be a real workout. In our episode ( National Hit to be Fit Weekend ) Michele shares the vision behind National Hit To Be Fit Weekend (May 15 to 17), a nationwide celebration that pairs National...

Captains, courts, and chaotic schedules! 🎾 If you've ever played on a tennis team, this episode on the challenges of captaining is a must-listen. What’s your biggest pet peeve as a captain? With more than a decade of experience captaining teams, Erin and Aileen have encountered it all We would greatly appreciate a 5 star rating wherever you listen to podcasts! Please contact us -  Website: s...

Why is being the captain difficult? If you are a new captain this episode is for you! Both Erin and Aileen have captained multiple teams for more than a decade! Erin made a list of why being the captain is so hard or why it sucks and Aileen discusses her experiences as captain. Erin and Aileen give great advice and Carolyn listens and laughs and feels very appreciative of people willing to step up...

Want a simple way to level up your game fast? The tennis ball you choose can change how your body feels, how fast you learn, and whether practice builds confidence or fear. We sit down with coach Michele Krause to make a clear case for red, orange, and green balls as powerful tools for adult recreational tennis players,  Tennis doesn’t have to feel exclusive or overly serious to be a real workout....

What do you do if your opponents are only hitting to the lower rated player? What are some tactics for playing against higher level players? Francie Barragan is here to give advice for playing combo or across different levels! We are replaying a few of our most popular episodes and this was one of them! Francie played college tennis for NC State and was the Assistant Coach for NC State after gradu...

Do you ever have trouble playing people that hit with less pace? Why is it so difficult to play against lower rated players? Francie Barragan is here to give advice for playing combo or across different levels! We are replaying a few of our most popular episodes and this was one of them! Francie played college tennis for NC State and was the Assistant Coach for NC State after graduating. She was t...

Tennis doesn’t have to feel exclusive or overly serious to be a real workout. We’re joined by Michele Krause to share the vision behind National Hit To Be Fit Weekend (May 15 to 17), a nationwide celebration that pairs National Tennis Month with a simple idea: make the court feel like a party and make it easy for anyone to say yes. Think music under the lights, big group energy, and a format that...

Ever wondered why a simple game of tennis can sometimes feel like navigating a social maze? Have you ever thought your opponent didn't have very good tennis manners?  Tennis, and especially adult recreational tennis, is a little strange with all the etiquette, protocols, and manners involved in a match. Also, what one person considers bad manners another may not. In this episode, Erin discuss...

Jenifer Tucker returns to discuss tennis urban legends for USTA Leagues. We tackle misconceptions about lineup requirements, self-rate disqualifications, and the mysterious NTRP algorithm that determines your tennis rating. You can learn more about ratings on the USTA website: NTRP Ratings Questions & Answers Jenifer is Vice President of the USTA Southern Board of Directors.  She also currentl...

Ever wondered how self-rating works in USTA tennis?   🎾  We were thrilled to speak to Jenifer Tucker about self rates. Jenifer is Vice President of the USTA Southern Board of Directors.  She also currently serves on the USTA Adult League Committee and Regulation Subcommittee and previously served on the USTA Constitution & Rules Committee.   At the Southern sectional level, Jenifer most recen...

Tired of awkward standoffs after a stray ball? Gin joins Carolyn and Erin to unpack the rule, the gray areas, and why “second serve only” might be best. Listen now—where do you stand? If you would like to hear more about Gin's remarkable journey from a 3.5 self-rated player to an NTRP 5.0 in just three years please check out our previous episodes: Gin's Journey from 3.5 to 5.0 - Part 1 G...

If your opponent hits winners during warm up, does it bother you? What if your opponent throws or breaks their racquet?  We are replaying a few of our most popular episodes and this was one of them! Dave and Tom are back to discuss more annoying situations! They are both NTRP 3.0s, who have been to states and sectionals numerous times.  It was interesting to see the differences in what bothers wom...

Have you ever had something annoying that happened on the court?  What did you do?  Dave and Tom are back to talk about annoying situations that happened to them.  They are both NTRP 3.0s, who have been to states and sectionals numerous times, and have had a few annoying situations. We are replaying a few of our most popular episodes and this was one of them! We would greatly appreciate a 5 star r...

Do you forfeit a court early or wait until onsite? What happens when a forfeit becomes "never mind" and your team isn't ready? Hear the stories and tell us your best practices! We would greatly appreciate a 5 star rating wherever you listen to podcasts! Please contact us -  Website: secondservepodcast.com Instagram: secondservepodcast Facebook: secondservepodcast       Use our refer...

Want to grow an audience without gaming the system? Carolyn and Erin sat down with coach and creator Alex Chan to unpack why consistency beats clever hacks, how engagement now outranks follower counts, and the simple ways tennis pros and niche creators can turn content into real opportunities. Alex has been a tennis content creator for over a decade, is a PTR certified coach, and provides brand ma...