Playing, Coaching, Parenting: A Tennis Journey Through Different Stages of the Game

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 insights from his experience as a competitive college player, a coach, and now a parent navigating the game alongside his kids. Together, we unpack what really matters when it comes to long-term development, enjoyment, and building a healthy relationship with tennis.

• How tennis evolves from competition into a lifelong activity
• The differences between playing, coaching, and parenting in the sport
• Why fun, environment, and community matter more than early results
• How to avoid burnout and keep kids engaged in the game
• What parents should look for when choosing a tennis program
• How tennis builds confidence, resilience, and life perspective
• The role of accessibility and affordability in growing the sport
• How modern approaches like the SMART Tennis™ Method are helping more families get started

The goal isn’t just to develop great tennis players…
It’s to help kids and families enjoy the process, stay engaged, and build something that lasts.

When tennis is introduced the right way, it becomes:

✔ A source of confidence✔ A place for community✔ A lifelong skill

00:00 - Introduction and background
02:38 - College tennis experiences and transitions
04:20 - Lessons learned through competition
06:34 - Burnout and balancing tennis with life
07:26 - Parenting and introducing kids to tennis
10:21 - Controlling what you can on and off the court
12:57 - Training approaches and development
14:08 - Finding the right environment for growth
16:43 - Parent involvement and support
18:28 - Accessibility and affordability in tennis
23:48 - Preparing kids for competition
26:07 - Coach and parent alignment
27:47 - Keeping tennis enjoyable
38:59 - Growth of pickleball and other racket sports
44:26 - Prioritizing fun and long-term engagement

Learn more about our programs, philosophy, and how we help kids and families get started in tennis:

👉 https://tennistimeacademies.com

A simple, practical guide for parents to introduce tennis at home and build strong fundamentals in a fun and approachable way:

👉 https://store.tennistimeacademies.com/SMART_Tennis_Book_on_Amazon

If you're a coach or organization looking to grow your impact and bring a structured, positive tennis program to your community:

👉 Make a Living. Make a Difference. - Tennis Time Academies

If you enjoyed this episode:

✔ Share it with a tennis family✔ Follow the podcast✔ Leave a review

Your support helps us continue building a more accessible, positive, and impactful future for tennis.

🎙️ 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 a clear look at how recruiting actually works today… and how technology is changing the game.

👉 Learn more about Recruited Pro

If you’re serious about playing college tennis, we highly recommend booking a free consultation call directly through their website.

It’s a great way to get clarity on where you stand… and what your next steps should be.

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Ivan shares his journey from high-level player to building a platform designed to help athletes get recruited more efficiently… and more effectively.

• How Ivan went from college tennis player to building a recruiting platform
• Why recruiting is one of the most important (and misunderstood) parts of tennis development
• How tools like UTR (Universal Tennis Rating) impact opportunities
• What college tennis is really like behind the scenes
• How social media and NIL are starting to influence recruiting
• Where tennis is heading… and how players can stay ahead

(00:00) Introduction to Ivan and his tennis background
(02:38) Growing up with tennis in Florida
(04:46) Moving from Belarus and early development
(06:30) Recruiting journey… University of South Florida and Northwestern University
(07:35) Advice for players going through recruiting
(10:08) Inside Division 1 tennis
(11:24) Why college tennis matters long term
(12:42) College vs professional Futures level
(13:50) Team culture and environment
(15:44) Memorable moments as a player
(16:31) Transitioning between programs
(17:30) Balancing academics and tennis
(18:24) Challenges like travel and schedule
(24:26) Building Recruited Pro
(29:13) Technology’s role in recruiting
(32:28) NIL and social media impact
(36:20) Expanding beyond tennis
(40:11) Rankings and recruiting strategy
(42:48) Technology’s impact on development
(43:33) The future of tennis

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About Tennis Time Academies:

👉 Follow us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/tennistimeacademies/

👉 SMART Tennis Makes SMART Kids (Book):
https://store.tennistimeacademies.com/SMART_Tennis_Book_on_Amazon

Work with Tennis Time AcademiesMake a Living. Make a Difference. - Tennis Time Academies

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 the often overlooked side of player development…
the mental and physical toll that tennis can take…
and the importance of finding balance between pushing forward and knowing when to step back.

David shares personal experiences that highlight resilience, self-awareness, and the value of listening to your body… lessons that every player, parent, and coach can learn from.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the demands of sport… or wondered how to support a young athlete through the ups and downs… this is a conversation worth hearing.

📍 Wilmington Area — Looking for Tennis Lessons?🎧 Listen to the Full Episode

If you're in the Wilmington area and looking for guidance, training, or a positive introduction to the game, David is doing a great job working with players and families locally.

📧 Contact David here:davidmirzoyan15@gmail.com

If you’re a parent, player, or coach looking to approach tennis in a more positive, sustainable, and effective way… you’re in the right place.

Follow along, share with a tennis family, and help us continue growing the game the right way.

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 passion, and becoming a coach dedicated to reshaping how young athletes learn tennis.

You’ll also hear the origin story of the SMART Racket™, an innovative tool designed to help children rally, move, and learn the game more naturally from day one. Zach explains how scalable, age-appropriate systems—combined with positive coaching and community—can dramatically accelerate skill development while reducing frustration and burnout.

Whether you're a parent, coach, or tennis lover, this conversation offers valuable insights into:

• Why so many young players burn out—and how to prevent it

• How to build confidence and joy in young athletes

• The importance of culture, encouragement, and community in player development

• The vision and mission behind SMART Tennis™ and Tennis Time Academies

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned

👉 Tennis Time Academies

Learn more about our mission, programs, and coaching framework:

https://tennistimeacademies.com

SMART Tennis™ Book: Smart Tennis Makes Smart Kids

A practical, family-friendly guide to introducing tennis at home, building fundamentals, and creating a lifelong love of the game.

Interested Coaches: Join Our Mission

If you're a coach looking to grow your impact, streamline your training systems, or bring SMART Tennis™ to your community, contact us here: Make a Living. Make a Difference. - Tennis Time Academies

Support the Mission

If this episode inspired you, please:

✔ Follow the podcast

✔ Leave a rating or review

✔ Share the episode with a parent, coach, or tennis friend

Your support helps us continue our mission of making tennis more accessible, joyful, and developmentally meaningful for more kids around the world!

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 mindset influences the game… and life. In this episode, Garcian shares honest insights on how attitude, effort, and relationships shape success on and off the court. If you believe talent alone separates players, this conversation may completely change how you view development.

Garcian walks through his personal journey within college tennis, highlighting how informal experiences, mentorship, and daily habits often matter more than rankings or highlight reels. You’ll hear what college coaches actually look for in young athletes beyond strokes and scores… including resilience, coachability, internal motivation, and emotional maturity.

We also break down the real differences between NCAA divisions, clear up common misconceptions about college recruitment, and explain why not “making the team” is far from the end of the road.

From club tennis to USTA leagues and alternative pathways, Garcian emphasizes that there are more opportunities than most families ever realize.

The conversation dives into the role parents play in long term success… how communication with coaches matters, why feedback culture is critical, and how expectations can either support growth or quietly derail progress. Garcian also shares observations on the differences between international and American player development, especially around independence, responsibility, and mindset.

Why does this matter? Because in tennis… and in life… those who approach challenges with humility, purpose, and a willingness to learn don’t just survive setbacks. They grow through them.

Whether you’re a parent of a young athlete, a player with college aspirations, a coach, or simply someone who loves the game, this episode delivers practical takeaways you can apply immediately. Tune in to learn how attitude becomes a competitive advantage… and how the right mindset can help rewrite any tennis story.

Reach out to Garcian here: https://podcast.tennistimeacademies.com/schedule_podcast_interview_with_garcian