Control the Controllables

Join us as we unpack the biggest storylines from the 2026 Australian Open!
From Osaka´s dramatic outfit entrance on Rod Laver Arena to Djokovic rolling back the years to take out Sinner in the semi-finals, we analyse the epic matches, player performances and behind-the-scenes moments in Melbourne.
Host Dan Kiernan is joined by our Grand Slam panelists:
Denmark´s Davis Cup Captain and 2012 Wimbledon Doubles Champion, Freddie Nielsen
Top S&C Coach Kieron Vorster who has worked with Liam Broady, Dan Evans, Tim Henman and Wayne Ferreira.

Key Talking Points
Carlos Alcaraz becoming the youngest ever person to win the career Grand Slam.
Novak Djokovic proving he can still push for number 25.
Will Rybakina be the player to beat in the women´s game in 2026
The role of coaching, technical adjustments, and player development in modern tennis
The rise of British doubles dominance, with the current World No.1, 2 & 3 in men’s doubles being British.
The debate around camera coverage, player privacy, and the sport's media strategies after Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek’s comments.
And our panelist give their predictions on what to expect for the upcoming season. Could we see the return of Serena?

CONNECT WITH CONTROL THE CONTROLLABLES
Website: https://www.controlthecontrollables.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctc.podcast/
Email us: [email protected]
The Control the Controllables Podcast is brought to you by SotoTennis Academy

We’re back for the Australian Open 2026!
Host Dan Kiernan is joined by our Grand Slam panelists to preview all the action we can expect from Melbourne over the next fortnight. They discuss the standout players, popcorn match-ups and potential dark horses.
They also look at the impact of this years tennis balls for players, new 2026 partnerships in the doubles draws and give their predictions for this years winners!
Meet our Panelists:
GB Coach Calvin Betton who is currently working with Henry Patten & Harri Heliövaara.
Denmark´s Davis Cup Captain and 2012 Wimbledon Doubles Champion, Freddie Nielsen
Sports broadcaster and former CNN anchor Candy Reid
Top S&C Coach Kieron Vorster who has worked with Liam Broady, Dan Evans, Tim Henman and Wayne Ferreira.

Will Jannik Sinner win his third straight Australian Open title? Or will Carlos Alcaraz become the youngest ever play to win the career Grand Slam. Meanwhile Venus Williams will become the oldest player to play the Grand Slam after accepting a wildcard into the women´s singles event.
Who do you think will be this year's Australian Open champions! Tag @ctc.podcast on Instagram or Twitter or drop us an email to let us know who you're backing!
Links mentioned in this episode:
Listen to: Reaction to Alcaraz & Ferraro Split
Listen to: Andrea Vavassori: Why winning the US Open Mixed Doubles Title was so Important for Doubles

This episode is brought to you by Novellus Finance.

In this special episode of Control the Controllables, Dan Kiernan looks back at one of the most remarkable journeys in British tennis — Lloyd Glasspool’s rise to Year-End World No.1 in ATP Doubles, aged 32.
This episode is built around clips from Lloyd’s three previous appearances on the show, recorded across five pivotal years of his career.
From being ranked 150 in the world in doubles in 2020, to winning his first Grand Slam in front of a home crowd at Wimbledon in 2025, listen to Lloyd´s development as it happened.
A unique layer to this episode is Dan’s personal connection to Lloyd’s journey. Dan coached Lloyd at three key stages of his career — first as a junior in Birmingham, again at the start of his pro career at SotoTennis Academy, and later on the ATP doubles tour. Having witnessed Lloyd’s development across more than two decades, from a quiet junior to the year-end World No.1, makes this moment incredibly special.
Dan revisits:
Lloyd’s late specialisation, multi-sport childhood and the huge influence of gymnastics on his movement.
How Lloyd’s junior coaching focused on developing skills and creativity, not winning early.
The turning point of finding the right partnerships, and how understanding a partner under pressure became a competitive edge.
Winning Wimbledon, and the mindset shift from “good enough” to “I can win Slams”.
And finally, how those same controllables — energy, clarity, partnership and process — carried Lloyd to World No.1.

This episode is not about overnight success. It’s about patience, environment, people, doing the basics exceptionally well, and having fun along the way!
A must-listen for tennis players, coaches and parents.
Listen to the episodes mentioned in full:-
Episode 84 reflecting on his start in tennis from 2020
Episode 180 with Harri Heliövaara after competing in their 1st ATP Finals from 2022
Episode 261 with Julian Cash after becoming Wimbledon Champions from 2025.

Follow us on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
Follow SotoTennis Academy on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

One of the most successful and emotionally connected player–coach partnerships in modern tennis has come to an end.
In this episode, Dan breaks down the split between world number 1 Carlos Alcaraz and his long-term coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, analysing their statements, the timing, the power dynamics, and what it means for the 2026 season — including the ripple effect on rivals like Jannik Sinner.
Ferrero first spotted Alcaraz at age 14 near his academy in southeast Spain. Their official partnership began in 2018 and lasted 7 years.
Achievements together:
24 tour-level titles
6 Grand Slams
Youngest world No.1 in ATP history (US Open 2022)

This episode was originally recorded live on YouTube — watch the full video version here
Follow Control the Controllables on Instagram: @ctc.podcast
CTC Tiktok: @controlthecontrollables
CTC X: @ctc__podcast
Thanks for listening!

Christian Harrison’s story isn’t your typical tennis journey. Formerly a top 200 singles player, his career has been repeatedly derailed by surgeries, setbacks, and a foot injury at Wimbledon 2022 that convinced him to walk away from singles altogether.
8 surgeries before age 25 would finish most players. Cristian just adjusted.
Now at 31, he’s producing the best tennis of his life on the doubles court. In 2025 Harrison has rocketed to world number 15 alongside partner Evan King. The pair started the year playing Challengers and ended it at the ATP Finals in Turin, after winning titles in Dallas and Acapulco, and having deep runs at Indian Wells, Madrid, and Roland Garros.
In today´s episode, Christian talks us through his journey including growing up in a tennis family - his Father Pat is a coach, and his brother Ryan Harrison won the French Open Mens Doubles in 2017. He also discusses the 2026 season which he´ll be playing with new partner and regular CTC guest Neal Skupski.
In this episode:
Christian reflects on his junior days which saw his family move from Louisiana to Texas to Florida for his tennis.
How he kept going after 9 surgeries.
Why his older brother Ryan Harrison was crucial in Christian's tennis development.
Christian shares insights on coaching and player relationships, including the impact his Dad Pat has had on his career.
Why he thinks 2025 has been such a successful year for him.
Why he´s decided to play with GB´s Neil Skupski in 2026.

Follow us on Instagram and watch all episodes on YouTube!
Control the Controllables is Hiring!
We´re offering a university student the chance to spend their placement year working on the Control the Controllables Podcast here in Spain. Applications are open now for the Podcast Placement role starting in September 2026.
Find out more about the role and how to apply here. Or you an email the team at [email protected].