Second Serve Tennis
by Second Serve with Carolyn Roach & Erin Conigliaro
Latest episode
Master Your Tennis Mindset
Master Your Tennis Mindset
About this podcast
Second Serve Podcast is the only tennis podcast created exclusively for adult recreational players by everyday tennis players. We are passionate about the game and our episodes are geared towards adults playing a sport in the later years of life (hence, the name “Second Serve”). This podcast discusses everything related to rec tennis. Topics include the following: advice for beginners; funny and crazy situations that happen on the court; the rules of adult tennis; and how it feels being an adult and getting your feelings hurt when you are not played in an important match. We know how it feels!
Episodes
The newest 50 of 350 episodes
- Master Your Tennis Mindset · 16 min · Episode 350Ever been up 5-0 and still lost? That spiral is real. We share practical mental game tools for adult recreational tennis to reset mid-match, breathe, and play freer even under…
- The Tennis Mind · 16 min · Episode 349The most dangerous tennis habit: blaming wind, partners, pushers, or “no pace.” Our guest explains why that hands away your control and what to do instead. We were thrilled to…
- Reimagined Pro World Team Tennis · 24 min · Episode 348Tennis in 3 hours with eight top players, real team energy, and fans allowed on the court after the match? We sit down with Bill Oakes, former ATP Tournament Director who is the…
- You Do Not Get A Replay Just Because You Misheard · 11 min · Episode 347What do you do if your opponent thinks you called the ball out but you didn't? What if someone touches the net? Does it matter if the ball is still in play? What happens if a…
- Navigating Tricky Tennis Rules · 13 min · Episode 346What should you do if your opponent yells watch out when you are hitting an overhead? What happens if your opponent's shoe falls off during a point? What if your dampener flies…
- Rec Tennis Stories, Laughter, and Spilling the Tennis Tea! · 19 min · Episode 345Welcome to a candid, laughter-filled exploration of tennis partnership dynamics with our guests Rachel and McKenzie, who pull back the curtain on their successful doubles…
- Doubles Signals That Win Points · 15 min · Episode 344We are back with McKenzie and Rachel to discuss receiving strategy and more! The secret to doubles success isn't just technical skill—it's communication. Discover how signals…
- Winning Doubles with Signals & Staying Positive · 16 min · Episode 343"Two out of three things right." Listen to how McKenzie (NTRP 3.5) and Rachel (NTRP 4.0) use signals and positivity to win matches and enjoy the game. Their strategy secrets may…
- To Grunt Or Not To Grunt - That Is The Question! · 14 min · Episode 342Grunting in tennis is one of those topics that sounds trivial until you’re on the return side of a long, lingering noise that hangs in the air while the ball is still traveling…
- Cut Unforced Errors And Win More Matches · 8 min · Episode 341Can cutting down on unforced errors really transform your tennis game? Discover the strategies and mental tactics used by the pros, as Bill Oakes enlightens us on how even a…
- What Adult Rec Players Can Learn From The Pros · 11 min · Episode 340What can adult recreational players learn from the pros? Join us for a compelling conversation with Bill Oakes, a veteran in sports marketing with over three decades of…
- Rec Tennis Tryouts - Getting Cut! · 15 min · Episode 339Have you ever tried out for an adult rec tennis team? Did you know it was a tryout? Have you ever been cut from a team after a tryout? In this episode we discuss trying out for…
- Transform Your Net Play - Don't Wait For An Invitation To The Party! · 15 min · Episode 338Are you ready to transform your net play in doubles tennis? Join us for an insightful conversation with Karen Rembert, a veteran teaching professional with over three decades of…
- Tiebreak Mental Tips and Best Advice for Levels 2.5-4.0 · 13 min · Episode 337Can mastering your mental game truly transform your tennis performance? Karen Rembert thinks so, and she's back for part two of our tiebreakers series to show you how. Get ready…
- Foot Faults, Lets, And The Moments That Start Fights · 9 min · Episode 336Can you call a foot fault in adult recreational tennis? When do you call a let versus claim the point? We are thrilled to have Rebel Good join us! Rebel has been officiating…
- Weird Points In Tennis · 11 min · Episode 335What is the most popular question that people ask about adult recreational tennis? It may surprise you! We are thrilled to have Rebel Good join us! Rebel has been officiating…
- Stump The Ump For Rec Tennis · 12 min · Episode 334Have you ever been on the court and thought "what is the rule in this situation"? We are thrilled to have Rebel Good join us! Rebel has been officiating tennis for over 30 years…
- Court Conditions - Rejecting the Court · 18 min · Episode 333Tennis court conditions can quietly shape every rally, and league players often don’t know the rules until something weird happens. We talk through real USTA league scenarios…
- 10 Rules for Rec Players · 14 min · Episode 332Have 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…
- 7 Tips to Win More Matches from a National Champion (Part 2) · 15 min · Episode 331This 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…
- 7 Tips to Win More Matches from a National Champion · 15 min · Episode 330He 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…
- Stop Racing To Lose · 9 min · Episode 329A 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…
- Pro Tour Tennis in North Carolina · 20 min · Episode 328Come 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…
- What To Do After A Bagel Set · 16 min · Episode 327A 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…
- Tiebreak Strategy · 12 min · Episode 326Ever 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…
- 3.5 to 5.0 in 3 Years - Winning Singles Strategy · 18 min · Episode 325Gin 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…
- A Journey From 3.5 to 5.0 in Three Years (Part Two) · 14 min · Episode 324What 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…
- A Journey From 3.5 to 5.0 in Three Years · 14 min · Episode 323Join 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…
- Tennis Can Change Your Life · 12 min · Episode 322Tennis 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…
- Why Being A Tennis Captain Is Hard (Part 2) · 8 min · Episode 321Captains, 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…
- Why Being A Tennis Captain Is Hard · 12 min · Episode 320Why 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…
- Why Red, Orange, And Green Balls Help Rec Players · 11 min · Season 319Want 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…
- Beat Better Players · 18 min · Episode 318What 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 Combo or Playing Across Levels · 14 min · Episode 317Do 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…
- National Hit to be Fit Weekend · 15 min · Episode 316Tennis 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…
- Tennis Manners · 15 min · Episode 315Ever 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…
- USTA League Urban Legends · 14 min · Episode 314Jenifer Tucker returns to discuss tennis urban legends for USTA Leagues. We tackle misconceptions about lineup requirements, self-rate disqualifications, and the mysterious NTRP…
- Understanding USTA Self-Rating And DQs · 16 min · Episode 313Ever 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…
- First or Second Serve? · 20 min · Episode 312Tired 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…
- Annoying Situations On The Court (Part 2) · 15 min · Episode 311If 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…
- Annoying Situations On The Court · 13 minHave 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…
- Forfeit Or Fight: Captains’ Dilemma · 21 min · Episode 309Do 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!…
- Tennis Content Creation with Alex Chan (Part 2) · 12 min · Episode 308Want 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…
- Tennis Content Creation with Alex Chan · 16 min · Episode 307Carolyn and Erin were thrilled to have on Alex Chan to explore why the recreational player matters most, how tennis content is changing, and how creators can protect their work…
- Finding Flow · 12 min · Episode 306Do you find flow on the tennis court? Eric, the 4.5 singles national champion, is back to discuss finding flow and what he loves about the game of tennis! Eric is from Long…
- Tournaments versus Leagues · 12 min · Episode 305Should you play in tournaments or leagues? Maybe both? Join Carolyn and Erin as they continue their conversation with Eric, the 55+ 4.5 singles National Champion, on the…
- Tennis Pet Peeves - Part Two · 15 min · Episode 304What pet peeves do captains have? Why do people care when we spin the racquet before the match? Carolyn, Erin, and Michelle discuss these things and what they do that may bother…
- Tennis Pet Peeves · 10 min · Episode 303Ever found yourself on the tennis court fuming over an opponent's sneaky tactics or wondering why your friendly match feels more like a battlefield? You're not alone! They know…
- My Partner Said “Slice It” And I Said “I Can’t” (Tennis Mind-Part 3) · 11 min · Episode 302Do you need mental tips for your doubles game? We were thrilled to have Christine from The Tennis Mind here to give us a few tips on the mental game! If you would like to contact…
- Ratings Drama: Think Before You Click Appeal! · 18 min · Episode 301About to smash that appeal button? Wait. We break down when appealing your USTA rating helps and when it backfires. Want wins or a label—what’s your play? Listen now and tell us…
