In this episode
On the 255th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith, Ilja Semjonovs, and Dave Anderson ask Dr. Tracey King questions. Currently, Tracey leads mental training skills for the Brookhaven program in Dallas, Texas.
As a player, she was a top junior player who earned a Division I scholarship. She also played at the professional level and represented her native New Zealand in Fed Cup.
She has a PhD in psychology.
She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Nevada, where she is in the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame. She completed her master’s studies at Kent and her doctorate work at Southampton, both English universities.
She is also a tennis parent.
One can contact Tracey by contacting the Brookhaven tennis program.
show notes
In this episode of the Great Base Tennis Podcast, host Steve Smith is joined by co-hosts Dave Anderson and Ilja Semjonovs for an in-depth conversation with Dr. Tracy King, a seasoned sports psychologist and full-time tennis coach at Brookhaven Academy. The team explores Dr. King’s fascinating journey, beginning with her family’s connection to tennis and her early education in New Zealand, where she discovered a passion for the sport at the age of 11. She recounts her collegiate playing career in the United States, where she not only found success on the court but also began to explore the mental side of high-level athletic performance.
Dr. King shares her transition from player to academic, detailing her studies in psychology, sociology, and social research, which led to a Ph.D. and a specialization in sports psychology. The discussion highlights how mental resilience plays a pivotal role in tennis—often serving as the deciding factor in competitive matches.
A significant portion of the episode focuses on the concept of “pain tolerance” in athletes and how it varies across cultures. Dr. King explains how early specialization in tennis can limit a young athlete’s development by reducing exposure to other sports that promote physical versatility and mental adaptability. She emphasizes the value of a multi-sport background in building resilience and fostering a healthier attitude toward competition.
The co-hosts and Dr. King also explore the complex relationships between athletes, parents, and coaches. She stresses the importance of emotional awareness and explains how a parent’s behavior after a win or loss can deeply influence a child’s mental health and performance. Allowing young athletes to sit with discomfort, rather than shielding them from it, is key to developing what she calls an “adversity quotient.”
Later in the conversation, the group discusses the practical aspects of mental skills training, such as focus, emotional regulation, and self-talk during high-pressure moments. Dr. King notes that while many are tempted to look for quick fixes or mental “tricks,” the reality is that mental toughness is built over time through consistent, intentional practice.
The episode also touches on the tennis landscape in New Zealand, where Dr. King offers insight into the challenges young players face due to limited infrastructure and competitive depth. Despite these obstacles, she notes that New Zealand still produces talented athletes, though their development is often hindered by a lack of resources and support.
In a compelling close, Dr. King introduces the idea of adopting symbolic rituals—similar to rugby’s Haka—as a way for tennis players to mentally prepare and tap into a sense of strength, focus, and unity before matches.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Tracy King’s dedication to nurturing mental resilience and emotional intelligence in young athletes stands out. Her insights offer coaches, parents, and players a thoughtful roadmap for navigating the mental side of tennis and sport in general. This episode serves as a powerful reminder that success in tennis requires not only technical and physical skill but also a deep understanding of the mind and the emotional journey that comes with competition.
