"The Inner Game of Tennis" ft. Brian Baldauff

Episode 127 of Tripp's Tennis Talk features a conversation with Brian Baldauff about the book "The Inner Game of Tennis."

Brian Baldauff is the Associate Professor of Percussion at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. From 2007-09 he was, at various points, my marching band instructor and private teacher when we both lived in Florida. In this conversation, we discuss how ascribing judgment to action can affect performance, two pedagogical approaches relating to technique, and the state of modern education, among other topics.

Apologies to people that don't normally listen for the bit/skit at the beginning. I usually focus on "news of the day" on the pro tennis tour and I've been on hiatus, so I absolutely had to address that briefly here. And I really, really, really liked this bit actually, so, it stays in. :)

I am not a very good interviewer because I don't do a lot of interviews. I started this one way, way off but I settled down a little bit the more it went along. It still wasn't my best work though. I need to practice my hosting skills when another human is involved. Hmm, maybe Self 1 is too involved in this thought. Objective, right? Okay, how about this. My syntax was halting and incomplete at times, I would have liked to speak in more calm and complete sentences. See? I just applied The Inner Game! All it takes is just doing it, right? If I do more interviews I'll become more comfortable without over-trying.

Peanut butter is still, in fact, the shit.

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Gallwey's website including a link to buy the book - https://theinnergame.com

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Intro Music: "A Dark Zone" from Deltarune Chapter 4 by Toby Fox (2025) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-ifukvnICY

Outro Music: "Journal" from Flashback, used in DOOM II Sunlust MAP01 "Chasing Suns"  (1992/2015) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixE9Z8zlPvk

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