SMART Tennis™ Podcast | Presented by Tennis Time Academies

Help Support SMART Tennis: ⁠https://smart-tennis.com/your-donation-helps Connect with Anita on IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ani.ivanova.02 From Player to Coach: Anita Ivanova's Journey from Bulgaria to US College Tennis and Beyond In this episode, we explore Anita Ivanova's unique progression from a young tennis talent in Bulgaria to a successful college athlete in the US, and now a coac...

Connect with Begum Gümüşsoy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/begumelifgumussoy/ Begum Gümüşsoy’s Tennis Path from Turkey to the US and Beyond. This episode dives into Begum Gümüşsoy’s inspiring journey from her early days in Istanbul to competing at top U.S. college programs and now coaching at the elite Mouratoglou Academy. Her story highlights resilience, sacrifice, and passion, revealing...

From Brazil to College Tennis How Hugo Kezen built his path at Pfeiffer University In this episode of the SMART Tennis™ Podcast, we sit down with Hugo Kezen to explore what it really takes to go from international tennis to competing at the college level in the United States. From growing up in Rio de Janeiro to building a new life in North Carolina… Hugo shares the real challenges, adjustments, a...

In this episode of the SMART Tennis™ Podcast , we sit down with Declan Berndt to explore how tennis evolves across different stages of life… from competitive play, to coaching, to raising kids in the game. This conversation highlights how tennis is more than just a sport. It becomes a framework for learning, growth, and connection: shaping players, coaches, and families over time. Declan shares in...

🎙️ Unlocking College Tennis Recruiting with Ivan Yatsuk In this episode, we sit down with former Division 1 player and entrepreneur Ivan Yatsuk to break down what it really takes to navigate the college tennis recruiting process. If you’re a parent trying to guide your child… a player with college tennis on your mind… or a coach looking to better support your athletes… This conversation gives you...

Growing up in tennis isn’t always a straight path… it’s a journey filled with highs, challenges, and lessons that shape you far beyond the court. In this episode of the SMART Tennis™ Podcast, we sit down with David to explore what it really takes to pursue the game at a high level… from the excitement of competition to the realities of injuries, pressure, and burnout along the way. We dive into th...

In this episode of the SMART Tennis™ Podcast, founder Zach Taylor shares the inspiring story behind Tennis Time Academies, the SMART Tennis™ Method, and the mission to transform 10 & Under tennis by bringing fun, accessibility, and developmentally appropriate training to families across the country. Zach opens up about his early journey in the sport, overcoming burnout, rediscovering his passi...

In this episode of the SMART Tennis® Podcast, host Garcian D'Cruz sits down with Akira Matsuguma , assistant coach at Tusculum University . Akira shares his journey from growing up in Japan to competing and coaching in the United States… and the pivotal moments that shaped both his playing career and his leadership style. This conversation goes far beyond wins and losses. It explores identity,...

Get to know your host, Garcian De Cruz … a current college coach who has experienced the game from multiple perspectives. From competing on the court to guiding players through the various divisions of the college system, Garcian has learned that talent may open doors, but attitude determines how far a player truly goes. Most budding tennis pros and passionate parents don’t realize just how much m...