In this episode
On the 246th episode of the GreatBase Tennis podcast, Steve Smith and Dave Anderson have a tennis conversation with Frank Butera. Their guest is a tennis teaching professional based in Boston, Massachusetts. The veteran pro teaches adults and juniors at MIT and the Marcus Lewis Indoor Center.
He was born in Boston and then raised in Italy until the age of fourteen. He began school in the US without speaking a word of English. Yet he became an outstanding student and completed a degree at Boston College (BC).
Prior to BC, he found his way to study tennis with Steve Smith at Tyler Junior College (TJC). That connection initially took place thirty-seven years ago. The two have continued to work together to help people improve.
Frank’s passion for the game is second to none. He has a charming personality and an impressive command of teaching solid fundamentals, as Steve says. “It’s always fun to see Frank, he’s fun and he makes tennis fun.” More importantly, Frank knows that if his players are always trying to improve through obtaining solid fundamentals, they will have more fun.
From this episode, there are many golden nuggets to add to one’s tennis treasure chest. Here are three:
* Frank’s number one rule: always try.
* Frank tells his students to be players, not just payers.
* Frank touches upon pickleball and states that one thing tennis players can learn from pickleball players is that sometimes you have to shovel snow off the courts to play.
show notes
In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating journey of Frank Butera, a passionate tennis instructor whose experiences span continents and decades. Frank recounts his storied past, beginning with his early years in Boston, then transitioning to Italy, where he discovered tennis as a child and developed a unique love for the game. We explore how his upbringing shaped his passion for tennis and the ways he navigated challenges, including returning to the U.S. unable to speak English and learning to connect with a diverse range of peers.
The conversation evolves into his academic journey, where Frank shares his pivotal experiences at Tyler Junior College and Boston College. Here, he emphasizes the relationships he forged with classmates, notably Dave Anderson, highlighting the invaluable connections that shaped their careers in tennis. Frank reflects on the importance of mentorship, the art of teaching biomechanics, and the distinct challenges associated with coaching both juniors and adults.
As the discussion deepens, we touch on tennis legends like Adriano Panatta and the cultural significance he holds in Italy. Frank provides vivid recounting of Panatta’s charisma, skill, and charm, drawing parallels between their tennis experiences. This leads to a broader conversation about attitude in sports, the psychological aspects that play a crucial role in athletic performance, and how emotional management can significantly affect a player’s game.
Transitioning to present-day challenges in the tennis coaching world, Frank shares insightful anecdotes about current players, their struggles, and the dynamics of fostering resilience in youth sports. He expresses the need for coaches to maintain high standards and the barriers that sometimes impede growth, not only in players but also in the professional development of coaches.
As the episode progresses, we also explore the intersection of sports, culture, and family life. Frank talks about his own parenting journey, emphasizing the importance of shaping character within children through sports and the essential lessons learned from failure. Throughout the conversation, we uncover Frank’s personal philosophy about tennis and life – that fundamental traits such as accountability, persistence, and the right mindset are crucial for success.
Concluding with thoughts on the current landscape of youth sports and the evolving nature of coaching, we reflect on the stark differences between working with juniors and adults. Ultimately, Frank Butera leaves listeners with valuable insights on how to navigate the world of tennis with passion and integrity, illuminating the road to becoming not just a better player, but a better person.
