In this episode
In this episode, Steve Smith and Dave Anderson sit down with Tim Ross, who spent over a decade at Ernst & Young before making a full-time leap into tennis coaching. Tim shares his early years at the Julian Krinsky School of Tennis, how mentors like Arvin Aravindhan and David Detweiler shaped his development, and how his corporate background now helps him approach coaching with structure and intention.
Tim also discusses his time volunteering with the Isha Foundation and how meditation, breathwork, and inner-work practices have transformed his emotional control and on-court performance. The conversation explores practical tools players can use, breathing patterns, mantras, routines, and daily habits, to develop calm intensity, stronger focus, and a healthier relationship with competition.
Episode 276 finishes with insight into junior tennis culture, the pressures young players face, and why mindset training must accompany technical training. Tim starts his new coaching role at Doylestown Tennis Club, and Steve and Dave offer advice, encouragement, and stories from decades of teaching and competing.
show notes
In this episode of the GreatBase Tennis Podcast, co-hosts Steve Smith, Dave Anderson, and Tim Ross explore Tim’s journey through the sport—from his childhood beginnings to his recent transition into full-time coaching. Tim reflects on growing up in Malvern, Pennsylvania, where he was introduced to tennis at the Julian Krinsky School of Tennis. Early memories of training with his junior coach, Arvin, illustrate the formative role those weekly sessions played in shaping his passion for the game. Lighthearted stories of competing with his sister for extra court time add warmth and humor to his early tennis timeline.
The conversation traces Tim’s junior and collegiate playing experience at Conestoga High School and Washington and Lee University. He describes how early challenges motivated him to double down on his development, crediting mentors like David Detweiler for guiding him technically while instilling belief and a growth mindset. These influential relationships, he notes, were vital in shaping both his athletic and personal development.
The discussion then shifts to Tim’s professional chapter outside of tennis, where he spent more than a decade at Ernst & Young working as a financial statement auditor. He explains how the analytical skills, discipline, and operational efficiency gained in the corporate world now inform his coaching approach. This segment highlights the path that ultimately led him to pursue a full-time career in tennis and his upcoming coaching role at Doylestown Tennis Club.
A significant portion of the episode centers on the intersection of tennis and personal wellbeing. Tim describes his involvement with the Isha Foundation and how practices such as meditation and breathwork can strengthen mental resilience—skills crucial for navigating both sport and life. He and the co-hosts discuss the emotional challenges faced by many young players, emphasizing the need to view tennis as a joyful pursuit rather than an obligation driven by pressure.
Tim’s coaching philosophy stresses the importance of developing emotional intelligence alongside technical proficiency. The group reflects on the toxicity often seen in junior tennis and underscores the need for improved parent and player education. Tim advocates for a more supportive, nurturing environment where young athletes can progress with confidence and balance, rather than being consumed by the pursuit of outcomes.
The episode concludes with a focus on community and connection within the tennis world. Tim shares insights on cultivating meaningful relationships with players and fellow coaches, emphasizing that success in tennis is not defined solely by individual results but by shared growth and experiences. His passion for mentoring the next generation of players shines through as the hosts highlight the deep fulfillment found in coaching and guiding young athletes.
