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CTC Podcast Live Show April 2024

Posted on: April 11, 2024 |

We’re so excited to announce that Control the Controllables is hosting it’s first ever Live Show!

On Friday the 19th April we’re coming to The Gallery in Tileyard Studios in London, where Dan will be joined by special guests to discuss one of the hottest topics in tennis right now: Is the New ‘Elite Tour’ Good for Tennis?

This is the Grand Slams’ proposed takeover of the top level of the tour, inviting the top 96 male and female players in the world to compete on a reduced schedule. This ‘Elite Tour’ would comprise of the four Grand Slams and another 15 Masters Series tournaments in order to give the worlds top players more rest time, and in turn a higher quality of tennis.

It has, however, been criticized as a corporate money grab by some, and an attempt to create ‘tennis elitism’ by others.

Join us live in London on April 19th to hear our panellists debate whether this will in fact be good for the sport, and what it means for those of us who work in the tennis industry.

We’ll also discuss other topics surrounding the future of our sport, including Saudi Arabian influence in tennis, proposed changes to doubles by the ATP and WTA, whether disruption is inevitable in tennis, and so much more!

You’ll also have the chance to ask your questions to Dan and the panel.

Our panellists for the night will be:

JOHN MORRIS

John is one of tennis’ super agents, finding himself right at the heart of the ‘Elite Tour’ discussions as he represents current Men’s World Number 5 Andrey Rublev and Women’s World Number 76 Elina Svitolina. John is also the former agent of some of the game’s biggest names, including Nick Kyrgios and Emma Raducanu. John also appeared in Episode 88 of Control the Controllables, discussing his insights and experiences on the tour.

GABY DABROWSKI

Gaby is one of the best Women’s Doubles players in the world, and is right at the top of her game having won both the US Open and the Billie Jean King Cup in 2023. She is currently a WTA Player Representative, giving her behind-the-scenes access to all of the discussions taking place in the halls of tennis. Gaby appeared in our 2023 US Open Doubles Champions episode alongside her partner Erin Routliffe, and has also featured in our most recent Grand Slam Preview and Review episodes. Gaby is currently being coached by CTC Host Dan Kiernan!

FREDDIE NIELSEN

Freddie is a tennis legend, winning the Wimbledon 2012 Men’s Doubles title alongside home favourite Jonny Marray, before taking up the mantle as Denmark’s Davis Cup captain. Freddie is an expert on the inner workings of tennis both at elite and at grassroots level, therefore is perfectly placed to explain how an ‘Elite Tour’ would disrupt the ecosystem of our sport. As a regular on CTC’s Grand Slam Preview and Review episodes, Freddie is a very recognizable face for regular listeners of our podcast.

CALVIN BETTON

Calvin is a coach on the ATP Doubles tour, and is the current coach of top 100 British doubles talent Henry Patten. Any regular listeners of CTC will know that Calvin always brings strong opinions to the show, and those who listened to our 2024 Australian Open Review will have heard a sneak preview of Calvin’s thoughts about the ‘Elite Tour’! Calvin is strongly opinionated, which promises to make this a blockbuster evening…

It’s going to be a fantastic evening! You can pick up your tickets for the Live Show below:

If you can’t make it to London, don’t worry! You can still join us by purchasing an online ticket and ask all of your questions as if you were in the room.

See you in London soon!

Control The Controllables Podcast Team

SotoTennis Academy 2024-2025 Placement Opportunities

Posted on: December 4, 2023 |

Calling all University Students!

Did you know SotoTennis Academy offers Student Placement Opportunities every year?

Starting in September 2024, we’re offering 4 Student Placement Roles in our Marketing, Communications, S&C and Podcast teams!

Going on a placement year is the perfect opportunity for university students to gain invaluable work experience before graduating.

Our goal at STA is to offer students the chance to not only work and connect with athletes and experts from different backgrounds and nationalities, but also become an integral part of our team.

In October 2022, STA also had the pleasure of accepting the Award for the University of Bath’s Humanities & Social Sciences International Placement of the Year.

If you want to know more about our current opportunities, including the job roles, requirements, remuneration and application details, please click the links below!

Equally, if you know somebody that might be interested in any of the opportunities, please do spread the word by sharing this blog.

Applications close in April 2024, but we strongly encourage earlier applications, as we might offer the roles to exceptional students before then.

We look forward to welcoming some excellent Placement Students in September 2024!

STA Director Dan Kiernan guides players to two US Open Trophies!

Posted on: September 14, 2023 |

Grand Slam Champions

It’s been an incredible fortnight at the US Open for STA Director Dan Kiernan, as his players won not one, but two doubles titles!

First Denmark’s Harri Heliövaara and Anna Danilina from Kazakhstan became Grand Slam Champions for the first time, winning the 2023 Mixed Doubles title without dropping a set.

Harri and Anna only met for the first time at the sign-in desk the previous week, before beating top seeds Jessica Pegula and Austin Krajicek 6-3 6-4 in the final.

Dan has been working with Hari Heliovaara and former STA Full Time player Lloyd Glasspool since January.

"Good things happen to good people. Harri and Anna deserve this for their ability to stay courageous in the key moments throughout their 5 matches beating some fantastic pairs. They performed to such a high level against the current world no. 1 doubles players in both the Men's (Krajicek) and Women's (Pegula) games to win the trophy. It is a real pleasure to be a small part of this amazing achievement and I have no doubt this experience will have a positive effect on their Men's/Women's doubles careers."

Dan Kiernan

STA Academy Director

Women's Doubles Triumph

Harri and Anna were followed by Canada’s Gaby Dabrowski & Erin Routliffe from New Zealand, who triumphed in the Women’s Doubles Final.

Gaby is a regular on Dan’s podcast Control the Controllables as a panelist who previews and reviews the Grand Slams. Dan and Gaby started working together at the US Open, and what a start they’ve made!

Gaby and Erin swept past No.12 seeds Laura Siegemund and Vera Zvonareva 7-6(9), 6-3 in Sunday’s final. It’s Gaby’s 14th career doubles title, and Erin’s 4th, and their first together after only their fourth tournament as a team.

"This victory is a true example of sticking together unconditionally - something we don't do enough in 2023! The girls stayed in 'their moment' regardless of the situation, and their commitment to this has reaped the biggest of awards. I am very proud of them both, and this is only the start of what their partnership can achieve together."

Dan Kiernan

STA Academy Director

Team Soto Family in NYC

It was so special having some of our Team Soto family there to support Dan and the players court-side at Flushing Meadows.

A massive congratulations to all 4 US Open Champions on an unforgettable Grand Slam! And of course to Dan for guiding both pairs to victory!

Victory in Italy

Congratulations must also to Team Soto Pro Tamara Zidanšek on an amazing run at the Open Delle Puglie tournament in Bari last week – WTA 125 Winner! We are very proud of Tamara and her team, including STA Performance Coach Mike Digby.

Good luck to Tamara competing this week at her home event, WTA Zavarovalnoca Sava Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Let’s go Tamara!

Magic Moments

What an inspiration these magic moments have been to our Full Time Players here at SotoTennis Academy, who are all just starting the new year back at base.

You can hear Dan and Gaby chat all about the final Grand Slam of the year in the US Open 2023 Review episode of Control the Controllables, released later today!

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