Insider's Playbook: Smart Strategies for Competitive Senior Tennis Players Over 50

Mike Rogers - Founder of Senior Tennis Unpacked
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  • Tennis

If you’re over 50 and still driven by competition, Insider’s Playbook is built for you. This podcast goes beyond generic tennis advice and into the strategic, physical, and mental edge senior players need to compete longer and win more matches. Hosted by senior tennis tournament competitor Mike Rogers, and founder os SeniorTennisUnpacked.com, each episode features elite coaches, national champions, and performance experts sharing real strategies to help you move smarter, train efficiently, stay injury-resistant, and out-think opponents who rely on youth alone. Subscribe now and step inside the playbook that top senior players use to keep raising their game.

  1. 5d ago

    Why Pain-Free Doesn't Mean Match-Ready for Senior Tennis Players | Ryan Vesce

    👉 FREE LIVE WORKSHOP: Move Better and Win More After 50 | Sept. 23 https://www.skool.com/stu-plus/about   What happens after the pain is gone?   For competitive tennis players over 50, feeling better does not automatically mean you are ready to go straight back into full match play.   In this episode of Insider’s Playbook, I talk with former professional hockey player and Matterhorn Fit co-founder Ryan Vesce about why recurring pain may not always be coming from the place you feel it, how movement compensations can develop, and what it really takes to return to competitive tennis after an injury.   Ryan explains why pain-free is only the first step, why senior players need to rebuild tennis-specific movement and force absorption, and how to gradually progress from rehab back to full competition without rushing the process.   One of Ryan’s most practical recommendations is to build your return gradually, starting with short hitting sessions and increasing the time only when you can finish without symptoms.   If you are coming back from an injury, dealing with recurring pain, or simply want to stay competitive longer, this episode offers a different way to think about the path back to the court.   Key takeaways: The painful area may not always be the underlying source of the problemBeing pain-free is not the same as being physically ready for competitive tennisDeceleration, lateral movement, strength, and force absorption need to be rebuilt before full match playFatigue can cause movement to break down even when you feel fine during shorter practices or casual hittingA gradual return-to-court progression can help you determine whether your body is truly ready to compete again    Contact Ryan Vesce: Website: www.MatterhornFit.com   ⏱️ Chapters:   0:00  Coming Up & Show Intro 1:05  Why Tennis Pain Keeps Coming Back 8:26  What to Do When Pain Keeps Returning 11:02  Pain-Free Doesn’t Mean Match-Ready 12:37  Rebuilding Tennis-Specific Movement 15:19  How to Know You’re Ready to Compete Again 19:46  Show Wrap Up #SeniorTennis #TennisOver50 #TennisInjury #TennisRecovery #TennisFitness

  2. Sep 1

    Why You Choke in Tennis Matches (And How to Stop It) | Jeff Greenwald

    👉 Go Deeper with Coaches and Pros Who Actually Know Senior Tennis https://www.skool.com/senior-tennis-unpacked-8081 What happens when you’re up 5-2, feeling good, and then suddenly tighten up?   In this episode of Insider’s Playbook, I’m joined by mental performance coach Jeff Greenwald to talk about one of the most frustrating parts of tennis: why we choke, why we start playing not to lose, and what causes our game to break down under pressure.   Jeff explains why players get trapped in self-monitoring, why trying to “fix” technique in the middle of a tight moment often makes things worse, and how to compete more freely when the score gets uncomfortable. We also talk about what to do right after a double fault, how a simple between-point routine can calm your mind, and why protecting a lead is often what causes it to disappear.   If you’ve ever gotten tight on serve, lost confidence when ahead, or wondered why your game changes when the match gets close, this conversation will help you understand what’s happening and how to respond better.   Key takeaways Pressure itself is not the real problem. The bigger problem is how we react to feeling pressure, tightness, or nervesAfter a double fault, focusing on “don’t double fault” usually creates more tension. A better response is to shift attention outward instead of inwardIn tight moments, players often start self-monitoring and trying to fix technique, but that usually makes the problem worseA simple between-point routine can help reset the mind, especially when it brings attention back to the body, breathing, and the ballGoing into a match with a written pressure plan helps you respond better when things get uncomfortable instead of just hoping you’ll handle it wellWhen players get ahead, they often start protecting the lead instead of continuing to compete. That shift from playing to win to playing not to lose is where trouble starts  About Jeff Greenwald   Jeff Greenwald is the author of The Best Tennis of Your Life and creator of Fearless Tennis. His work focuses on the mental side of competitive tennis, helping players manage pressure, expectations, focus, confidence, and the emotional challenges that can interfere with playing their best.   Contact Jeff Greenwald: Website: https://fearlesstennis.com Email: jeff@fearlesstennis.com   ⏱️ Chapters:   00:00 Coming Up & Show Introduction 01:34 Why Pressure Makes You Play Too Safe 04:01 What to Do After a Double Fault 06:45 Why Overthinking Technique Makes It Worse 07:56 A Simple Between-Point Routine 10:02 Build Your Pressure Plan Before the Match 10:51 Creating a Written Plan for Pressure Scenarios 11:47 Can an Alter Ego Help You Compete? 13:18 Stop Playing Not to Lose 17:53 Show Wrap Up #TennisMentalGame #TennisStrategy #SeniorTennis

  3. Aug 25

    3 Pro Tennis Techniques Players Over 50 Should Steal I Ryan Reidy

    👉 Go Deeper with Coaches and Pros Who Actually Know Senior Tennis https://www.skool.com/senior-tennis-unpacked-8081   Watching the pros can make you want to copy everything they do. But which parts of modern tennis technique translate to recreational players, especially as we get older? In this episode of Insider’s Playbook, Ryan Reidy of 2MinuteTennis breaks down three techniques we can borrow from the pros without trying to swing like an ATP player.   Ryan explains why so many recreational players constantly feel rushed, how preparing earlier can immediately improve your timing, and why the position of your racket face before contact may be more important than the size or shape of your swing.   We also get into the serve, where Ryan shares one of his simplest teaching tools: the “birthday hat” drill designed to help players develop a smoother, more efficient racket path without muscling the ball.   Ryan also explains why we should be selective about what we copy from professional players and focus on the fundamentals that make their technique efficient rather than trying to imitate every part of their swings.   If you’re a competitive tennis player over 50 looking for practical technique changes you can take to the court, this episode is packed with ideas you can test immediately.   Key takeaways Prepare early, not fast: The pros often have their racket prepared by the time the ball bounces, while recreational players frequently use the bounce as the signal to start their backswingStop using the bounce as your timing mechanism: Ryan explains how learning to judge when the ball will arrive can give you more time and help you handle deeper, faster ballsPay attention to where your strings point: The shape of your swing matters, but Ryan says recreational players should pay particular attention to having the racket face tilted down before swinging toward contactUse your racket edge to develop topspin: Ryan shares a simple drill that teaches players to lead toward the ball with the top edge of the racket and experience the brushing action needed for topspinMake your serve more efficient with the birthday-hat drill: Passing the racket over your head can help develop a smoother, more circular serving motion that is relaxed and easier to repeat throughout a match    Contact Ryan Reidy: ryan@2minutetennis.net YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@2MinuteTennis Website: 2minutetennis.net   ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up & Show Introduction 01:27 Ryan Reidy: What Should We Copy From the Pros? 02:05 Prepare Early, Not Fast 06:09 Stop Timing Your Swing Off the Bounce 10:19 Why Racket Face Position Matters 14:21 The “South Pole” Topspin Drill 16:44 The Birthday Hat Serve Drill 19:45 Key Takeaways   #SeniorTennis #TennisTechnique #TennisTips #TennisServe #TennisOver50

  4. Aug 18

    What Every Tennis Player Over 50 Needs to Know to Play into Their 80s | Ryan Vesce

    👉 Go Deeper with Coaches and Pros Who Actually Know Senior Tennis https://www.skool.com/senior-tennis-unpacked-8081   Episode Description:   Most "play longer" advice starts backwards.   It tells you to stretch more or lift heavier. But Ryan Vesce — a former pro hockey player who now trains older athletes to stay competitive — says everything starts somewhere else: the nervous system.   "When you actually have it working as it should," Ryan explains, "your strength automatically goes up, your flexibility gets better, and your range of motion gets better immediately. It's not because you're doing anything magical — you're taking the guarding mechanism off the brain."   In this episode of Insider's Playbook, we unpack what players over 50 should be doing now to stay strong, quick, and competitive into their 70s and 80s.   Key takeaways: Recovery should determine how much tennis your body can handleStrength training 2–3x a week keeps you competitive as you ageQuickness and reaction speed must keep being trained — without the impactSmall warning signs become injuries when ignored (rotator cuff → elbow, "glutes off" → back and knee pain)The at-home drill to fire your fast-twitch system again (broomstick + altitude drops)  Because as the saying goes: "when you stop jumping, you start dying."     Contact Ryan Vesce: Website: www.MatterhornFit.com    ⏱️ Chapters:   00:00  Coming Up - Show Intro 01:14  Training Quickness and Reaction Speed After 50 03:33  How Much Tennis and Strength Training? 05:46  Recovering After Matches and Tournaments 08:09  Don't Ignore the Early Warning Signs 09:00  3 Non-Negotiables for Tennis Longevity 10:15  How to Keep Playing for Years to Come 11:38  Show Wrap Up #SeniorTennis #TennisOver50 #TennisFitness #TennisTraining #TennisLongevity #tennistips #tennistrategy #seniortennis #tennisfitness

  5. Aug 11

    The Surprising Truth About Pressure in Senior Tennis (Why Your Best Is Still Ahead) | Jeff Greenwald

    👉 Go Deeper with Coaches and Pros Who Actually Know Senior Tennis https://www.skool.com/senior-tennis-unpacked-8081   Episode Description:   Why Tennis Players Over 50 Get in Their Own Way | Jeff Greenwald Why can a 3.5 or 4.0 tennis player sometimes feel more pressure than a professional playing at Wimbledon? For competitive tennis players over 50, the biggest opponent often isn’t standing across the net. It’s the expectations, comparisons, fear of losing, and pressure we bring onto the court with us.   In this episode of Insider’s Playbook, mental performance expert Jeff Greenwald explains why these challenges can become stronger as we get older, especially when ratings, lineup positions, winning, and even our identity become tied to how we perform. Jeff and Mike discuss what happens when we keep comparing ourselves to the player we used to be, why league tennis can create enormous pressure, and how senior players can shift their focus from protecting results to mastering the parts of the game they can control.   They also explore how to adapt mentally as your body, eyesight, reaction time, and movement change, and why getting older does not mean your best tennis is necessarily behind you. Jeff shares examples of players in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s who are continuing to improve and playing some of the best tennis of their lives. If you’re over 50, still competitive, and sometimes walk off the court wondering why you didn’t play the way you know you can, this conversation is for you.   Key Takeaways: • Stop comparing your current game to the player you used to be • Replace outcome expectations with things you can control • Don’t let ratings, lineup position, wins, and losses determine your tennis self-worth • Recreational 3.5 and 4.0 players can experience enormous competitive pressure, sometimes more than they realize • Your best tennis does not have to be behind you. Players in their 60s, 70s, and 80s can still improve and play some of the best tennis of their lives About Jeff Greenwald   Jeff Greenwald is the author of The Best Tennis of Your Life and creator of Fearless Tennis. His work focuses on the mental side of competitive tennis, helping players manage pressure, expectations, focus, confidence, and the emotional challenges that can interfere with playing their best.   Contact Jeff Greenwald: Website: https://fearlesstennis.com Email: jeff@fearlesstennis.com ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up - Show Intro 01:20 Stop Chasing the Player You Used to Be 03:55 When Tennis Starts Defining Your Self-Worth 08:37 Why 3.5 and 4.0 Players Feel So Much Pressure 10:27 Adapt Your Game Instead of Fighting Your Age 15:08 Your Best Tennis May Still Be Ahead of You 17:05 Show Wrap Up #SeniorTennis #TennisOver50 #TennisMentalGame #CompetitiveTennis

  6. Aug 4

    Drop Shot Footwork Failing You? Here's What You're Doing Wrong I Ryan Reidy

    👉 Go Deeper with Coaches and Pros Who Actually Know Senior Tennis https://www.skool.com/senior-tennis-unpacked-8081   Most senior tennis players think their drop shot problem is a speed problem. It's not — it's a footwork problem, and it's wrong 90% of the time. In this episode of Insider's Playbook, tennis footwork and video analysis coach Ryan Reidy breaks down the three footwork mistakes that quietly wreck matches for players over 50: mistimed steps at the net on volleys, guessing instead of counting your split step, and the one footwork rule almost nobody follows when chasing down a drop shot.   Ryan explains why stepping with the "correct" foot on a volley can actually stop your momentum instead of helping it, how to fix your split-step timing even if you're playing through a knee or hip replacement, and the simple drill you can do at home to train your feet to land correctly on every drop shot you chase down.   Ryan Reidy has been teaching tennis for nearly three decades and has built an audience of close to 300,000 followers across social media. He specializes in remote video analysis, working over Zoom with adult players around the world to improve footwork, stroke mechanics, and tactical awareness using their own match footage.   Whether you're a 3.5 player struggling to hold the net, coming back from an injury, or just tired of feeling off-balance on drop shots and volleys, this episode gives you specific, actionable fixes you can take straight to the court.   5 Key Takeaways: On volleys, step with the correct foot after contact, not before — stepping too early stops your momentum and forces an arm swing instead of body movement through the ball.Split-stepping isn't required every time. If timing it is difficult, just slow down or stop as your opponent makes contact — that alone lets you change direction on balance.If you struggle to time your split step, count your steps instead. On an approach shot, three steps after contact is a reliable trigger point for most players.When chasing a drop shot, your last step must land on the same foot as the side you're hitting — get this wrong and you'll feel off-balance even when you reach the ball in time.Balance, not speed, is the real foundation of net play and court coverage after 50 — footwork organization is what lets you generate power and control under pressure.  Contact Ryan Reidy: ryan@2minutetennis.net YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@2MinuteTennis Website: 2minutetennis.net #TennisOver50 #SeniorTennis #TennisFootwork #TennisTips #TennisCoaching ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 – Coming Up & Show Intro 02:03 – Volley Footwork: Step After Contact, Not Before 08:19 – Split-Step Timing: Slow Down to Speed Up 12:27 – The 3-Step Counting Trick 19:00 – Drop Shot Footwork: The Last-Step Rule 23:49 – The At-Home Drill to Fix It 28:01 – Show Wrap-Up

  7. Jul 21

    Four Spine Surgeries in His 60s. He's Still Competing Nationally. I Eric Friedman

    👉 Go Deeper with Coaches and Pros Who Actually Know Senior Tennis https://www.skool.com/senior-tennis-unpacked-8081   Episode Description:   Four spine surgeries. A heart arrhythmia during a match. A herniated disc at the World Championships in Budapest. Most players would have quit. Eric Friedman didn't.   At 63, Eric is still competing nationally — and what he learned navigating the medical system is something every senior tennis player needs to hear.   Eric's story isn't about toughness for its own sake. It's about being smart — smart enough to ask harder questions, get second opinions, and refuse to accept a medical default that ends your tennis career prematurely.   If you're an older player managing injuries, chronic pain, or facing a surgical decision, this conversation could change how you think about your options.   Key Takeaways: Why he always explores non-surgical options first — and the specific questions to ask your doctorHow regenerative therapies like stem cell treatment changed the calculus on joint painWhat it means to be your own health advocate (and why the first surgeon isn't always the right one)How he returned to competition after each setback — and what kept him mentally in the gameThe moment at the World Championships in Budapest that tested everything he thought he knew about playing through pain ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up – Show Intro 01:31 Eric's Injury Timeline: How It Started at 60 04:45 Did He Think His Tennis Career Was Over? 05:55 Why He Refused Surgery First (And What He Tried Instead) 08:37 The Heart Arrhythmia That Put Him in an Ambulance 10:51 Post-Surgery Recovery: Getting Back on the Court 13:37 The Mental Side of Coming Back From Spine Surgery 13:51 His Exact Physical Therapy and Gym Routine 16:03 Advice for Senior Players Dealing With Injuries 19:36 Stem Cell Therapy for Knees, Hips, and Shoulders 20:51 Show Wrap Up #tennistips #tennistrategy #seniortennis

  8. Jul 14

    You're Too Old to Change? The Myth Holding You Back I Eric Friedman

    👉 Be Match Ready as Soon as You're Get on the Court. https://www.skool.com/senior-tennis-unpacked-8081   Most senior tennis players believe they're too old to make major changes to their game — so they keep grinding the same strokes, hoping for different results. Eric Friedman didn't buy it. In this episode, Eric breaks down how he rebuilt his forehand into a weapon, switched from a one-handed to a two-handed backhand at an age where most players stop taking risks, and spent a full year losing matches on purpose to make it stick.   We get into the real tennis strategy behind lasting improvement: why you need one true weapon instead of trying to fix everything at once (the "sword and shield" approach), how to survive the ugly plateau before a breakthrough, and why waiting for a new age group to "strike" is a myth that's holding players back. If you're looking for tennis tips that apply to competitive players 50+, or you've been told your two-handed backhand or forehand needs a real rebuild, this conversation lays out exactly what that process looks like — mentally and physically.   This is tennis coaching from someone who's lived it, not theorized it.   Key Takeaways: Real improvement means picking one shot to make your "weapon" and keeping the rest of your game solid — trying to overhaul everything at once leads to being mediocre everywhere.Expect to get worse before you get better. Committing to a new stroke often means losing matches for months while it becomes second nature."I'm too old to change" is a belief, not a fact — the biggest barrier to improvement is usually ego and fear of short-term losses, not age.Waiting for the first year of a new age group to make changes is a trap. The work needs to start now, regardless of where you are in your current bracket.Breakthroughs happen after long plateaus, not steady progress — most players quit right before the jump that would've paid off.A new stroke has to be tested in real competition, not just practice, or you'll never trust it under pressure.There's no shortcut. The "one quick tip" videos aren't wrong, but they leave out the hours of repetition required to make it real.    ⏱️ Chapters:   0:00 – Coming Up / Show Introduction 2:04 – Why "More of the Same" Wasn't Enough (The Bill Tilden Story) 5:01 – Rebuilding a Weapon: Transforming the Forehand and Backhand 8:01 – Trust the Process: Testing New Strokes Under Competition Pressure 10:05 – The Age-Group Myth: Why Waiting for a Fresh Start Is a Trap 13:00 – One Thing at a Time: The Sword and Shield Approach 14:43 – "I'm Too Old to Change" — Is That True? 18:33 – Why "One Quick Fix" Videos Are Lying to You 19:11 – Final Advice: Find Your Weapon and Enjoy the Process 20:31 – Show Wrap Up

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If you’re over 50 and still driven by competition, Insider’s Playbook is built for you. This podcast goes beyond generic tennis advice and into the strategic, physical, and mental edge senior players need to compete longer and win more matches. Hosted by senior tennis tournament competitor Mike Rogers, and founder os SeniorTennisUnpacked.com, each episode features elite coaches, national champions, and performance experts sharing real strategies to help you move smarter, train efficiently, stay injury-resistant, and out-think opponents who rely on youth alone. Subscribe now and step inside the playbook that top senior players use to keep raising their game.

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